The SQUEEZE: Leaders who are adept at leading often make mistakes. However, the smartest leader is the one who learns from the mistakes and successes of others. In “Leadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leading,” John C. Maxwell offers a six-month mentorship course. The book contains 26 chapters and houses application exercises for leaders who desire to mentor. Maxwell’s book is the result of 40 years of leading, offering a signature style that is candid and provocative. From the first chapter to the last, Maxwell mentors readers on the importance of defining their leadership, listening to counsel, understanding the reality of problems, examining their own mistakes, and functioning as connectors instead of just climbers.

Notable Endorsement: Depending on individual calendars, there’s a leadership lesson to be learned every seven days—or biweekly. Based on the recommendations of Maxwell—consultant, trainer, speaker, author (The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, 1998, is his most recent best-seller)—each chapter contains enough information to ponder its implications solo or in concert with team members. The 26 chapter headings, as to be expected, are provocative and thought-inducing, supported by application exercises (usually, in question form) and “mentoring moments,” suggestions for using this in groups. Just ruminate on these statements: “Never work a day in your life.” “You get answers only to the questions you ask.” “Keep learning to keep leading.” “People quit people, not companies.” Almost every heading can be buttressed by recent research, news, even books; as one example, there’s no secret about employees’ major reason to change jobs: their immediate manager. Enjoy, and consider, this collection of lessons. --Barbara Jacobs

Common Q’s Answered by this Book:

• Who is the toughest person to lead?
• How is the “best leader” defined?
• What are the keys to time-managing your life?
• How will people summarize your life?
• What are a number of ways of getting into the zone and staying there?
• What is the difference between a duck and an eagle?

About the Author: John C. Maxwell is an internationally-recognized expert on the subject of leadership. As a speaker, coach, and author of multiple books, Maxwell is the founder of EQUIP and the John Maxwell Company. Through these two organizations, Maxwell trains more than five (5) million leaders worldwide. Maxwell’s speaking engagements include an audience of Fortune 500 companies, government leaders, the National Football League, and the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is a Business Week bestselling author and three of his books have sold more than one (1) million copies. Maxwell has written multiple books on the subject of leadership. Some of the titles include The 360⁰ Leader, Laws of Leadership Workbook, Developing the Leaders Around You, Mentoring 101, and Contagious Leadership Workbook. For more information about Maxwell’s current projects, visit: http://www.johnmaxwell.com/ and follow him at Twitter.com/JohnCMaxwell.

Book Vitals:

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 2008)