The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader: Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow

Why do some people consistently inspire others to follow their lead? According to John C. Maxwell, author of 24 books and a regular speaker on the topic, its the “character qualities” they possess. In?ÿThe 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, Maxwell identifies these top traits as character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, positive attitude, problem-solving, relationships, responsibility, security, self-discipline, servanthood, teachability, and vision–and then defines them in ways that readers can absorb and utilize. Each is covered in a separate chapter opening with a high-concept definition and continuing with relevant anecdotes, details on its meaning, suggestions for further reflection, and exercises for improvement. For example, in the section on vision (“You can seize only what you can see”), Maxwell describes how Walt Disney initially developed the theme-park concept after accompanying his daughters to a fun-filled but rather shabby amusement park. He then analyzes how Disneys resultant projects drew on his personal history while meeting others needs, and explains how readers must “listen to several voices” to develop successful foresight in a similar way. Finally, Maxwell suggests methods to articulate these visions and measure their implementation.?ÿ–Howard Rothman