The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership || John C. Maxwell

I've had the privilege of leading in a number of different roles both in church and university, all which have been first and foremost challenging, but nevertheless abundantly rewarding. I don't consider myself a natural leader by any stretch of the imagination, but there has always been a persistent theme in my life of encouragement from those around me to step into leadership and an innate desire in me to see people reach their full potential. I'm so grateful for the people around me who have pointed out the potential in my own life that I have not identified myself and I hope to do the same for those entrusted to me. This year I'm stepping up to lead a small group of young adults and more than ever I'm realising being a great leader doesn't happen by chance - it’s a deliberate process which requires persistent attention and work. This book is a collection of 21 principles from John C. Maxwell, known for his teaching on leadership over many years, on how we can be more effective and purposeful leaders.

1. Leading vs Managing

A clear distinction has to be made between leading and managing, with the former being about where one is going and the latter about how one gets there. We first have the responsibility of leading our life and pointing in a direction which lines up with our beliefs and calling. Only with this clear vision does implementing management strategies and techniques (such as improving productivity etc) make sense and actually become effective in helping us achieve our end goal. Proverbs 29:18 says "where there is no vision, the people perish" - we need to be certain of our vision before we can run with it. And with a vision, we have to prayerfully plot our course and count the cost.

2. Heart before hand

In leading a group, connecting with each individual is important in developing a culture of ownership and buy in. A member who knows you have their best interest in mind is released to serve to their full potential. People are more likely to follow people they connect with rather than a grand vision without any connection. So how does that look for me and the people entrusted to me? Firstly, prayer. On the topic of having compassion for the lost, A. W. Tozer writes -  "But the multitudes that were so dear to Christ shall not be less dear to me. If I cannot prevent their moral suicide I shall at least baptize them with my human tears. I want no blessing that I cannot share." Likewise should it be for anyone who is entrusted to us, that our hearts be so torn in prayer for them. Secondly, be proactive in doing good. Going back to "what's best next" by Matt Perman, we should be proactive in seeking out opportunities to serve people, rather than passive spectators.

3. Leading leaders

The end goal of a leader is not to lead a whole bunch of followers, but to empower and establish the next generation of leaders. You have to look no further than the life of Jesus and the commissioning of his disciples, where you find this principle in place. This means knowing how to identify giftings and talents, provide opportunities for them to outwork and most importantly lead by example. Particularly with small group leading, I think we fall into the trap of good meeting = good lifegroup and that is hardly the point. The point is 1 Corinthians 11:1 - "follow me as I follow Christ" and that each member would grasp this vision and run with it.