The Leader’s Greatest Return

About the Author

John C. Maxwell is a #1 New York Times best-selling author, coach, and speaker who has sold more than 31 million books in 50 languages. Recognized as the #1 leader in business by the American Management Association® and the most influential leadership expert in the world by Business Insider and Inc. magazines, Maxwell is the founder of several influential organizations, including The John Maxwell Company, The John Maxwell Team, EQUIP, and the John Maxwell Leadership Foundation. His teachings have trained millions of leaders from every country worldwide.

Main Idea

In "The Leader’s Greatest Return: Attracting, Developing, and Multiplying Leaders," John Maxwell shares his most important lessons about the leadership development process over the last quarter century. He instructs readers on how to recognize potential leaders, attract them by creating a leadership “table,” position them to build a winning team, and more. Following Maxwell’s guiding principles, leaders will experience the compounding value of developing leaders and achieve the highest levels of leadership themselves.

Table of Contents

1. Identifying Leaders: Find Them So You Can Develop Them
2. Attracting Leaders: Invite Them to the Leadership Table
3. Understanding Leaders: Connect With Them Before You Lead Them
4. Motivating Leaders: Encourage Them to Give Their Best
5. Equipping Leaders: Train Them to Be Great at Their Job
6. Empowering Leaders: Release Them to Reach Their Potential
7. Positioning Leaders: Team Them Up to Multiply Their Impact
8. Mentoring Leaders: Coach Them to the Next Level
9. Reproducing Leaders: Show Them How to Develop Leaders
10. Compounding Leaders: Receive the Highest Return of Developing Leaders

Identifying Leaders: Find Them So You Can Develop Them

The first step in leadership development is identifying potential leaders. Maxwell emphasizes the ability to recognize ability as crucial. Leaders must assess the needs of their organization and identify individuals within and outside their organization who possess leadership potential. He offers six areas of identification:

• Assessment of needs: Determine what is needed and who you are looking for.
• Assets on hand: Identify current team members with leadership potential.
• Assets not on hand: Find potential leaders outside the organization, considering cultural compatibility.
• Attitude: Look for willingness to learn, improve, and serve.
• Ability: Recognize giftedness and excellence in specific areas.
• Accomplishments: Consider past achievements and ability to produce results.

To truly understand the potential of these individuals, Maxwell advises asking targeted questions. For instance, "What is your organization trying to do?" and "Do you possess a clear target?" These questions help clarify the needs and goals, making it easier to find the right leaders.

"For a leader who develops leaders, there is something scarcer and much more important than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability." — John C. Maxwell

Attracting Leaders: Invite Them to the Leadership Table

Creating a leadership table means offering potential leaders a place to learn, practice, and shine. This attracts leaders both within and outside the organization. Maxwell emphasizes the importance of:

• Experiencing a leadership culture
• Participating in the dynamics of the table
• Benefiting from the power of proximity
• Practicing leadership

Maxwell highlights the significance of creating a dynamic environment where leaders can thrive. He suggests that inviting potential leaders to the leadership table allows them to experience the culture firsthand, participate in critical discussions, and learn from seasoned leaders. This exposure helps them understand the organization's values and dynamics.

"The power of proximity creates 'who luck,' a term coined by author Jim Collins. Simply stated, it’s who you know." — John C. Maxwell

Understanding Leaders: Connect With Them Before You Lead Them

Before leading and developing people, it is essential to connect with them. This involves finding common ground and understanding their perspectives. Maxwell suggests:

• Seeing the world from their perspective
• Asking questions
• Becoming a better listener

Maxwell stresses the importance of empathy in leadership. To connect with potential leaders, he advises trying to see the world from their perspective. This shift from "it’s all about me" to "it’s all about others" is crucial for effective leadership. By asking questions and actively listening, leaders can better understand their team members' hopes, dreams, and challenges.