Leadership Gold by John C. Maxwell

One of the books which I have read in the last 6 months is called “Leadership Gold” by John C. Maxwell.  There is so much good stuff in here that I am not sure where to begin! This is definitely a must read for anyone in leadership of any kind.  Actually it’s a great read for anyone!  So let me give you a few nuggets from the book, along with my own personal notes on how it helped me grow. 

Keep learning to keep leading.  Read daily to grow in my personal life. Listen daily to broaden my perspective. Think daily to apply what I learn. File daily to preserve what I learn. I want to avoid “destination disease” at all costs! I constantly need to be growing so that I never reach the spot where I feel “I have arrived”. 

“The greatest detriment to tomorrows success, is today’s success.” – Rick Warren

Wow, this spoke to me.  I left a ten year career twelve months ago to go into ministry full time. I pray that I will always be willing to give up all I have to get to a new level of growth!  This really applies both in leadership and spiritually. I can’t imagine my life any other way now, and I look forward to trading off security for significance, trading the acceptable for the excellent. Pay now, play later. Trade up.

Ask questions, don’t pretend to know. Don’t allow your ego to get in the way of asking.  I struggle with the fact that I don’t know everything pertaining to my job. It is so refreshing to hear that it’s ok not to know everything. Play to your strengths, do what you love to do, invest in others relationally, and people will fill in your deficiencies. “He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask is a fool forever.

Well  there ya go, these are only three of the many, many lessons  that Maxwell shares. So pick up the book, dive in, you won’t be the same if you apply even one of these principles!

Have a great day!  

Jarrod