John Maxwell's Leadership Handbook: 26 Critical Lessons Every Leader Needs is a collection, as the title suggests, of 26 "lessons", or short chapters. But beware, these chapters are not for quick reading. These lessons demand methodical study for any leader.And what they contain is ever-practical advice regarding leadership. Having the knowledge is great, but wisdom is to be found in the application of what you read. That's particularly true here.
Maxwell suggests that leaders read one chapter each week. And experienced leaders should take two weeks for each read. I think that's fine advice.
Maxwell hammers home some major points for leaders to know and understand as you go through this leadership-improvement process. I'll leave those to readers, but as a foretaste, some ideas from his Introduction: (1) leadership is the willingness to put oneself at risk, (2) leadership is being dissatisfied with the current reality, (3) leadership is taking responsibility when others are making excuses, (4) leadership is the ability to submerge your ego for the sake of what is best, and (5) leadership is, above all, courageous.
The Leadership Handbook really is a fine resource for leaders and for leadership development. And I highly recommend it.
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