Developing the Leader Within You

After listening to Dave Ramsey's radio show the other day, I decided to pick up a book he highly recommended. The book is called Developing the Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell. I figured, since Matt and I will be leading the FPU courses at our church, this would be a good precursor to the whole leadership thing. However, having heard of the book at work prior to this, I was rather excited about it.

While I'm not finished with the book yet, I decided to write a bit as I go. Currently, I'm on the third chapter, and while there is no true groundbreaking content, yet, the information is quite simple and applicable.

To begin with, Maxwell examines prior definitions of leadership so we can better understand his approach. Although many have concluded that leadership is attributed to a position, rank or title, he determines that leadership is quite simply influence, or the ability to obtain followers. "He who thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk." I think that's one of the funniest yet accurate statements regarding leadership I have ever heard.

Some of the greatest leaders of all time consist of Adolph Hitler, Jim Jones, Jesus of Nazareth, Martin Luther King, Jr., Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. Although their value systems differed, one thing remained, they had followers.

Maxwell, in the first chapter, states that once people accept that leadership is influence, they can better understand how to develop their leadership abilities. How do we do this? By expanding our level of influence.

Maxwell introduces five levels of influence or leadership:

1. Position: This level relies on title or position, but true leadership is more than having authority, technical training or following protocols. It's about having others gladly and confidently follow you.
   
2. Permission: This level relies on interrelationships. Time, energy, and focus is placed on the needs and desires of others.
   
3. Production: This level relies on results, whether it be profit, morale, goal-setting, problem-solving, and growth. People come together to accomplish a purpose.
   
4. People Development: This relies on the the leader's ability to empower others. People perform at high levels.
   
5. Personhood: This level is not discussed in depth as most people have not arrived at this status nor do so for quite some time.
   

In conclusion, everyone is a leader in one form or another. Everyone has some level of influence with someone. The question is how can someone become a better leader and unleash their leadership potential? This book tries to help. We'll see if it does.

"There have been meetings of only a moment which have left impressions for life, for eternity. No one can understand that mysterious thing we call influence...yet...everyone of us continually exerts influence, either to heal, to bless, to leave marks of beauty; or to wound, to hurt, to poison, to stain other lives."
--J.R. Miller