21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership : Book Summary

1 Line Summary

 “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John Maxwell discusses the key rules for being a good leader, highlighting that a person’s leadership skills set the limit for what they can achieve and that being a leader is more about inspiring others than just being in charge.

What Will You Learn

You’ll learn:

• Your Leadership’s Ceiling,
• The difference between Influence and Authority in Leadership,
• Strategic Navigation,
• Role of Serving Others in Leadership.

Best Quotations from the Book

• You can’t move people to action unless you first move them with emotion…. The heart comes before the head.
• Great leaders always seem to embody two seemingly disparate qualities. They are both highly visionary and highly practical.
• To lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart.
• When people respect you as a person, they admire you. When they respect you as a friend, they love you. When they respect you as a leader, they follow you.
• Being in power is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.
• To lead any way other than by example, we send a fuzzy picture of leadership to others. If we work on improving ourselves first and make that our primary mission, then others are more likely to follow.
• Leadership is often misunderstood. When people hear that someone has an impressive title or an assigned leadership position, they assume that individual to be a leader. Sometimes that’s true. But titles don’t have much value when it comes to leading.

Book Summary

Leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. The lower an individual’s ability to lead, the lower the lid on his potential. For an easy elaboration, if your leadership rates an 8, then your effectiveness can never be greater than a 7. If your leadership is only a 4, then your effectiveness will be no higher than a 3.

FIVE MYTHS ABOUT LEADERSHIP

1. THE MANAGEMENT MYTH

 Many people think leading and managing are the same, but they’re not. Leading is about getting people to follow you, while managing is about keeping things running smoothly.

Managers keep things going the same way, but they can’t change the direction. If you want to change where people are going, you need to be able to influence them.

2. THE ENTREPRENEUR MYTH

Just because someone sells a lot or starts a business doesn’t mean they’re a leader. People might like what they sell, but that doesn’t mean they’ll follow the person.

3. THE KNOWLEDGE MYTH:

Sir Francis Bacon said that knowing a lot means you have a lot of power; so people think smart people are leaders. But being smart doesn’t make you a good leader. You can find really smart people in universities who are great at thinking but not at leading. Having strong IQ doesn’t mean you’ll be a good leader.

4. THE PIONEER MYTH:

Just because someone is at the front doesn’t mean they’re leading. True leaders are out in front, having others willingly following them and working on their vision.

5. THE POSITION MYTH:

People often mistake having a high position for being a leader. But Stanley Huffty said it well: it’s not about where you sit, it’s about your ability to lead that really matters.

The Four Phases of Leadership Growth

PHASE 1—I DON’T KNOW WHAT I DON’T KNOW

Many of the people think leadership to be confined for only a few. They don’t see how much they’re missing by not learning to lead. For example, a college president narrated that only a few students took an optional leadership class because most of them didn’t see themselves as leaders. They didn’t realize that leadership is about influencing others, and we all do that every day.

PHASE 2—I KNOW WHAT I DON’T KNOW

Sometimes we get to be in charge, but then we notice nobody’s following us. That’s when we figure out we need to learn how to lead. It’s like what Benjamin Disraeli, a famous British Prime Minister, said: knowing you are ignorant of the facts is the first step to learning more.

PHASE 3—I GROW AND KNOW AND IT STARTS TO SHOW

When you realize you’re not good at something and start working on it every day, you’ll begin to see amazing results.

PHASE 4—I SIMPLY GO BECAUSE OF WHAT I KNOW

At first, being a leader takes a lot of thought and effort. But as you keep improving, it starts to come naturally to you. When you reach that point, the rewards are huge. The key is to keep learning and growing step by step.

21 Laws of Leadership

1. The Law of Lid

“Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness”.

Success is achievable for nearly everyone, but without the ability to lead, you can’t be fully effective. A person’s influence is limited without strong leadership skills. If you aim to reach higher goals, you’ll need to develop your leadership abilities. The bigger difference you want to make, the more influential you need to be.

The strength of leadership determines how effective a person or organization can be. If leadership is good, there’s no limit to what can be achieved. But if it’s weak, then the organization can’t grow or improve. That’s why, during difficult times, there’s often a change in leadership.

To reach the highest level of effectiveness, you have to raise the lid—one way or another.

2. The Law of Influence

Leadership is all about influence, nothing more or less. If you don’t have influence, you will never be able to lead others.

Many people misunderstand what it means to be a leader. They think if someone has a fancy title or a leadership role, they must be a leader. This isn’t always true. Real leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about having an influence on others, which can’t be given; it must be earned. A title might give you some time to either build up your influence or lose it.

He who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is only taking a walk. If you can’t influence others, they won’t follow you. And if they won’t follow, you’re not a leader. That’s the Law of Influence.

3. The Law of Process

“Leadership develops daily not in a single day”.

Leadership growth is similar to stock market success; it doesn’t happen overnight but builds up gradually through consistent daily actions.

Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus, leadership scholars, found that leaders stand out by continuously enhancing their abilities. True leaders are perpetual students, committed to improving a bit every day, which cumulatively leads to progress.

Leadership isn’t an instant achievement but a gradual process. Being prepared at the right moment is the secret to success. Regular, disciplined actions prime one for success, regardless of the objective.

Champions are made outside the ring, through their daily regimen. Joe Frazier, the boxing legend, said that life, like a fight, relies on reflexes honed by unseen, early morning efforts.

If you want to be a leader, the good news is that you can do it. Everyone has the potential, but it isn’t accomplished overnight. It requires perseverance. And you absolutely cannot ignore the Law of Process and leadership takes a lifetime.

4. The Law of Navigation

“Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course”.

NAVIGATORS SEE THE TRIP AHEAD:

Effective leaders do more than just set the direction for their team. They visualize the entire journey ahead of time, including the destination, the requirements to get there, the team they need and potential challenges.

NAVIGATORS DRAW ON PAST EXPERIENCE:

Past successes and failures are valuable lessons. Successes reveal your strengths, while failures point out mistakes and flawed methods. Navigators learn from these experiences; they also listen to others across all the levels, their fellows, team members, seniors, subordinates etc. to gain more insights of the course.

NAVIGATORS EXAMINE THE CONDITIONS BEFORE MAKING COMMITMENTS:

Navigators enjoy being spontaneous and trust their leadership instincts, but they also take their responsibilities seriously. They carefully consider the consequences before making decisions that affect their teams.

NAVIGATORS MAKE SURE THEIR CONCLUSIONS REPRESENT BOTH FAITH AND FACT:

Navigators must be optimistic and believe in their ability to lead their team to success. However, they must also be realistic and aware of the challenges ahead. It’s important to balance optimism with realism, intuition with planning, and faith with facts to navigate successfully.

Navigation Strategy (PLAN AHEAD)

• Predetermine a Course of Action.
• Lay Out Your Goals.
• Adjust Your Priorities.
• Notify Key Personnel.
• Allow Time for Acceptance.
• Head into Action.
• Expect Problems.
• Always Point to the Successes.
• Daily Review Your Planning.

5. The Law of E. F. Hutton

“When Real Leader Speaks, Everyone Listens”.

Real Vs Positional Leader

Attend a meeting with people you’re meeting for the first time and observe them for five minutes. You’ll be able to identify the leader. Notice who people look at when a question is asked. The one they expect an answer from is the actual leader.

Positional Leader	Real Leader
Speaks first	Speaks later
Needs the influence of the real leader to get things done	Needs only their own influence to get things done
Influences only the other positional leaders	Influences everyone in the room

How People Become Real Leaders

Leaders emerge based on seven critical aspects in their lives that prompt them to take the lead.

• Character- Who They Are

Real leadership starts from within. People can tell what kind of person you are.

• Relationships- Who They Know

You’re only a leader if you have followers, and that means building strong relationships.

• Knowledge—What They Know

A leader needs to know the facts, understand the situation, and have a plan for the future. Studying hard is essential before leading an organization.

• Intuition- What They Feel

Leading isn’t just about knowing things. It’s also about handling intangible things, you can’t touch or see.

• Experience—Where They Have Been

If you’ve overcome big challenges before, people are more likely to trust you. While experience doesn’t automatically make you credible, it does encourage people to believe in your abilities.

• Past Success—What They’ve Done

A proven success record speaks volumes to your followers. Every time you succeed, they have more reason to trust you.

• Ability—What They Can Do

What matters most to followers is what a leader can do. They’ll listen as long as they think you can achieve results. If they lose faith in your abilities, they won’t follow you anymore.

6. Law of Solid Ground

“Trust is the Foundation of Leadership”.

Trust is essential for leadership. A leader must show skill, build connections, and have a good character to earn trust. People can forgive mistakes in skill, as long as they see you’re improving. But any mistake in character can destroy trust completely, even an occasional mistake is lethal.

Every successful leader understands this. As Craig Weatherup, former CEO of PepsiCo, said, People accept honest errors, but breaking their trust can permanently damage their confidence in you. That’s why trust should be valued above all. You might deceive your boss, but never your teammates or those who work for you.

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf points to the significance of character:

 “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy”.

CHARACTER COMMUNICATES

Leading people is like inviting them on a journey with you. Your character determines how well the journey goes. The better your character, the better the journey will be, no matter how long it lasts.

CHARACTER COMMUNICATES CONSISTENCY

Leaders need inner strength to be reliable every day. Jerry West, the NBA legend, said that you can’t achieve much if you only work when you feel good. If people can’t predict your actions as a leader, they’ll eventually stop seeing you as one.

CHARACTER COMMUNICATES POTENTIAL

No person can go beyond the limitations of his own character.

CHARACTER COMMUNICATES RESPECT

Without inner strength, you can’t gain others’ respect, which is crucial for enduring leadership. Leaders gain respect by making wise choices, owning up to their errors, and prioritizing their team and organization over themselves.

WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE STRENGTH WITHIN, YOU CAN’T EARN RESPECT WITHOUT. AND RESPECT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR LASTING LEADERSHIP. HOW DO LEADERS EARN RESPECT? BY MAKING SOUND DECISIONS, ADMITTING THEIR MISTAKES WHEN THEY MAKE THEM, AND PUTTING WHAT’S BEST FOR THEIR FOLLOWERS AND THE ORGANIZATION AHEAD OF THEIR PERSONAL AGENDAS.

7. Law of Respect

“People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves”.

The truest form of respect for a leader is shown when they bring significant changes to an organization.

8. Law of Intuition

“Leaders evaluate everything with a leadership bias”.

Leaders naturally understand what actions to take because they view everything through a leadership perspective.

HOW LEADERS THINK

Leadership intuition can be a natural talent or a developed skill, but it helps leaders notice and address leadership challenges effectively.

Intuition helps leaders become readers of the numerous intangibles of leadership:

·         LEADERS ARE READERS OF THEIR SITUATION

Leaders can pick up on subtle changes and dynamics that others might miss, especially during times of absence.

·         LEADERS ARE READERS OF TRENDS

Leaders can detach from the present moment to understand past movements and predict future changes.

·         LEADERS ARE READERS OF THEIR RESOURCES

Unlike individual achievers who focus on their abilities, leaders consider all available resources including money, raw materials, technology and especially people, as their most valuable asset.

·         LEADERS ARE READERS OF PEOPLE

Intuitive leaders have a keen sense of the emotions and motivations, hopes, fears and concerns, of everyone around them.

·         LEADERS ARE READERS OF THEMSELVES

Effective leaders are self-aware, recognizing their strengths, weaknesses, current state of mind, and are truly honest with themselves.

THREE LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP INTUITION

Almost everyone has the potential to develop leadership intuition, but we all start from following different levels:

·         THOSE WHO NATURALLY SEE IT

Some individuals have a natural talent for leadership and can inspire others to follow them from a young age. These natural leaders have the potential to reach the highest levels of leadership excellence.

·         THOSE WHO ARE NURTURED TO SEE IT

Not everyone is born with strong leadership instincts, but with effort, anyone can enhance their leadership abilities. Without this development, they may struggle with leadership challenges.

·         THOSE WHO WILL NEVER SEE IT

Most people can learn to be leaders, but there are a few who don’t have the inclination or desire to lead and are content being followers.

9. Law of Magnetism

“Who You Are Is Who You Attract”.

Effective leaders understand that to succeed, they should delegate tasks that are not their strong suit. This allows them to concentrate on their strengths while others handle other essential tasks. However, it’s important to note that we often attract people similar to ourselves, which means diverse individuals might not be drawn to us naturally.

If you examine certain traits, you’ll likely notice that you and your followers have several things in common in these areas.

• Attitude
• Generation
• Background
• Values
• Life Experience
• Leadership Abilities

10. Law of Connection

“Leaders Touch a Heart before They Ask for a Hand”.

• Effective leaders connect emotionally with people before seeking their help. This emotional bond is crucial for inspiring action.
• True connection happens not just in addressing groups but in forming strong one-on-one relationships, which makes people more willing to support the leader.
• Even when leading a group, it’s important to understand and relate to each person as an individual with their own hopes and desires.
• Effective leaders don’t wait for others to reach out; they take the first step in connecting and building relationships.
• Building strong relationships before leading ensures loyalty and dedication, turning the leader’s vision into a shared goal with remarkable results.

11. The Law of Inner Circle

 “A Leader’s Potential is Determined by Those Closest to Him”.

In any field, the influence of a close-knit group of colleagues is evident. In endurance cycling races like the Tour de France, for example, it’s usually the cyclist racing with the strongest team wins.

If you’re unsure where to focus your efforts in your organization, consider including five types of valuable individuals in your trusted group.

·         POTENTIAL VALUE—THOSE WHO RAISE UP THEMSELVES

A key skill for any leader is self-motivation and the ability to spot potential in others.

·         POSITIVE VALUE—THOSE WHO RAISE MORALE IN THE ORGANIZATION

·         PERSONAL VALUE—THOSE WHO RAISE UP THE LEADER

Just as metal sharpens metal, good friends can sharpen each other’s intellect.

·         PRODUCTION VALUE—THOSE WHO RAISE UP OTHERS

·         PROVEN VALUE—THOSE WHO RAISE UP PEOPLE WHO RAISE UP OTHER PEOPLE

For a leader, the most beneficial person is one who can develop new leaders, ensuring leadership continues through the generations.

12. The Law of Empowerment

“Only Secure Leaders Give Power to Others”.

The empowerment leadership approach moves beyond traditional roles of authority, instead giving everyone leadership responsibilities to fully utilize their abilities. People can only achieve their full potential if they are empowered. Leaders who fail to empower others create obstacles that can’t be overcome, leading to people either giving up or leaving for a place where they can fully realize their potential.

Why do some leaders violate the Law of Empowerment?

Consider some common reasons:

·         DESIRE FOR JOB SECURITY

The biggest obstacle to empowerment is the fear of losing job security. Insecure leaders think that by empowering their team, they’ll make themselves unnecessary. However, the irony is that by enabling others to grow and possibly take over your role, you become invaluable to the organization, making yourself truly indispensable.

·         RESISTANCE TO CHANGE

John Steinbeck, a Nobel Prize-winning writer, observed that people often resist change, especially if it’s for the better. Empowerment naturally brings about continuous change as it motivates people to develop and innovate. Embracing change is essential for advancement.

·         LACK OF SELF-WORTH

Many derive their sense of worth from their job or status. Suggesting changes to these can feel like a threat to their identity. Conversely, confident individuals see change as an opportunity because they believe in their ability to make a difference. Such individuals are proactive, inspiring, and empowering to others.

Only leaders who are secure in themselves can truly share their success. Mark Twain suggested that remarkable achievements occur when you don’t seek credit for yourself. But even more so, the most extraordinary accomplishments happen when you let others take the credit. This is the essence of empowerment.

Admiral James B. Stockdale stated that true leadership is rooted in goodwill and a genuine desire to support others. The best leaders are those who are so supportive that they eliminate the need for their own positions. Yet, paradoxically, such leaders are always in demand and never without supporters, as they gain authority by sharing it.

13. Law of Reproduction

“It Takes a Leader to Rise Up a Leader”.

How They Became Leaders

Maxwell shares a piece of statistic from his experience:

• Natural Gifting:  10 percent
• Result of Crisis: 5 percent
• Influence of Another Leader: 85 percent

Only those who are leaders can train new leaders. You can’t teach what you don’t know, and only leaders have the experience to guide others. However, being a leader doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to mentor future leaders.

·         TAKE THE NEXT STEP

To develop leaders, you must first be one yourself. If you’re already leading, well done! You’re ready to start training new leaders. Remember, successful leaders focus on creating more leaders.

·         SEE THE BIG PICTURE

A good mentor prioritizes growing new leaders because an organization’s success depends on strong leadership. The more leaders an organization has, the better its chances for success.

·         ATTRACT POTENTIAL LEADERS

It’s often said that leaders are rare and must be found individually. However, if you improve your own leadership, you’ll attract those with the potential to lead. Gaining their respect gives you the chance to help them become even better leaders.

Fostering a culture where leadership is cherished and nurtured is key for a mentor. Such an environment not only draws in strong leaders but also supports their development. A place where leaders are encouraged to dream big, be creative, take risks, and be responsible will eventually create a community of leaders. Understanding this concept shows its powerful effect on an organization. Poor leadership will deteriorate, but strong leadership that multiplies will continuously improve the organization.

14. The Law of Buy-In

“People Buy Into The Leader, Then The Vision”.

A leader and their cause are inseparable. They always come as a pair.

Leader + Vision = Result

LEADER	VISION	RESULT
Don’t Buy In	Don’t Buy In	Get Another Leader
Don’t Buy In	Buy In	Get Another Leader
Buy In	Don’t Buy In	Get Another Vision
Buy In	Buy In	Get Behind the Leader

• WHEN FOLLOWERS DON’T LIKE THE LEADER OR THE VISION, THEY LOOK FOR ANOTHER LEADER

When people dislike both the leader and the vision, they don’t follow and start looking for a new leader, creating a situation where no one wins.

• WHEN FOLLOWERS DON’T LIKE THE LEADER BUT THEY DO LIKE THE VISION, THEY STILL LOOK FOR ANOTHER LEADER

Surprisingly, even if people support a cause, they’ll seek a new leader if they don’t like the current one. This is why sports teams often change coaches; the goal to win remains, but belief in the leader is crucial.

• WHEN FOLLOWERS LIKE THE LEADER BUT NOT THE VISION, THEY CHANGE THE VISION

People will continue to follow a leader they trust, even if they disagree with his vision. This is common in politics, where groups may support a leader despite controversies because they’ve already committed to them.

• WHEN FOLLOWERS LIKE THE LEADER AND THE VISION, THEY WILL GET BEHIND BOTH

Followers will stay loyal to their leader through the toughest times. This loyalty has driven historical movements and achievements, such as India’s nonviolent resistance under Gandhi, the U.S. moon landing, and the continuation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, inspiring people to persevere against all odds.

If you’ve tried to inspire your team to pursue a vision without success, you likely encountered the ‘law of buy-in’ without realizing it.

15. The Law of Victory

“Leaders Find a Way for The Team to Win”.

Tough times often show who the best and worst leaders are. In World War II, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt were great leaders for the Allies. They stopped Hitler from taking over Europe.

GREAT LEADERS FIND A WAY TO WIN

Good leaders find ways to win, especially under stress. They show their true selves. Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s president after a long struggle, including 27 years in jail. He fought hard for victory, even when it meant joining banned groups, protesting peacefully, hiding, traveling abroad for support, standing trial, and going to prison.

Later, he helped change the government and worked to heal his country. Mandela says he’s just a regular guy who became a leader because of tough situations. But his strong character and commitment to winning made him an extraordinary leader.

You can see leaders trying to win at sports games. Unlike other areas where leaders work quietly, at a game, you can watch them in action. When the game ends, you know who won and why. Sports results are clear and immediate.

THREE COMPONENTS OF VICTORY

No matter if it’s a sports team, an army, a company, or a charity, success can be achieved with three key elements:

·         UNITY OF VISION

Teams only do well when everyone shares the same goal. It doesn’t matter how skilled they are; if they don’t agree on what they want to achieve, they won’t win championships. This is true for all teams, whether in sports, business, or any other group.

·         DIVERSITY OF SKILLS

Just like a hockey team can’t be all goalies or foot ball team of all quarterbacks, a team needs people with different abilities to succeed. Each member plays his own important role.

·         A LEADER DEDICATED TO VICTORY AND RAISING PLAYERS TO THEIR POTENTIAL

Good players are essential, but so is good leadership. As Lou Holtz, a famous football coach, said: Great athletes are needed to win, but you can still lose with them if you don’t have the right coaching. Leaders bring people together, give them direction, and motivate them to win. Victory doesn’t just happen; it’s made by leaders who guide their teams to success.

16. The Law of Momentum

“Momentum is a Leader’s Best Friend”.

Every leader has to deal with the challenge of making changes in their organization. The most important thing is to get things moving, which I like to call the Big Mo. Just like a sailor can’t change the direction of a stationary ship, leaders know that to change things, they need to start moving forward first.

It’s the job of a leader to get things going. Followers then get involved, and managers keep it going. But to start that momentum, you need a leader who can inspire others, not someone who needs inspiration themselves. Harry Truman said to leave if you can’t handle pressure, but leaders should leave if they can’t create some action.

·         MOMENTUM MAKES LEADERS LOOK BETTER THAN THEY ARE

When leaders have momentum, people see them as brilliant. They overlook any flaws and forget any past mistakes. Having momentum can really change how people see their leaders.

·         MOMENTUM HELPS FOLLOWERS PERFORM BETTER THAN THEY ARE

Strong leadership and momentum in an organization can drive people to achieve more than they ever thought possible. Just like the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, they weren’t the best, but they won the gold because they kept winning and built up so much momentum that they outdid themselves.

·         MOMENTUM IS EASIER TO STEER THAN TO START

If you’ve ever tried waterskiing, you know the hardest part is getting up on the water. Once you’re up, it’s easier to steer. Leadership is similar; starting something new is tough, but once you get going, it becomes easier to make changes.

·         MOMENTUM IS THE MOST POWERFUL CHANGE AGENT

With enough momentum, you can achieve almost any change. This was true for Garfield High School, which many thought had no future, and it’s true for any organization. Momentum puts victory within reach.

17. The Law of Priorities

“Leaders Understand that Activity is Not Necessarily Accomplishment”.

Leaders never grow to a point where they no longer need to prioritize. If you focus your attention on the activities that rank in the top 20 percent in terms of importance, you will have an 80 percent return on your effort. For example, if you have ten employees, you should give 80 percent of your time and attention to your best two people.

To be effective, leaders must order their lives according to these three questions:

·         WHAT IS REQUIRED?

We all answer to someone, whether it’s a boss, a board, or shareholders. So, start your to-do list with what’s expected of you. If you don’t need to do it yourself, give it to someone else or drop it.

·         WHAT GIVES THE GREATEST RETURN?

As a leader, focus on what you’re best at. If someone else can do a task nearly as well as you, let them do it. If they’re almost there, help them get better so they can take it on.

·         WHAT BRINGS THE GREATEST REWARD?

 IM Redmond said that many things may grab his attention, but only a few truly move him. The most rewarding things are those that ignite a leader’s passion. Nothing is as motivating as true passion.

18. The Law of Sacrifice

“A Leader Must Give Up to Go Up”.

Many people aim for high positions in companies, thinking they’ll find freedom and power. However, true leadership is more about giving up things than gaining them.

When you become a leader, you lose the right to think about yourself.

Consider the President of the United States, arguably the most influential leader globally. To become and be the President, one must sacrifice personal time, endure constant scrutiny, face family pressures, and make life-or-death decisions. This level of responsibility and protection continues even after leaving office.

The Law of Sacrifice demands that the greater the leader, the more he must give up.

19. The Law of Timing

“When To Lead is as Important as What To Do and Where To Go”.

Great leaders understand that timing is just as crucial as actions and directions. Whenever a leader takes action, four possible outcomes can occur:

• A bad decision made at a bad time can cause a catastrophe.
• A good decision made too early can meet opposition.
• A bad decision made at the right moment is still an error.
• The correct decision at the perfect time leads to triumph.

20. The Law of Explosive Growth

“To Add Growth, Lead Followers- To Multiply, Lead Leaders”.

Leaders Who Develop Followers	Leaders Who Develop Leaders
Need to be Succeeded	Want to be succeeded.
Focus on Weaknesses	Focus on Strengths
Develop the bottom 20%	Develop the top 20%
Treat their people the same for fairness	Treat their leaders as individuals for impact
Hoard power	Give away power
Spend time with others	Invest time in others
Grow by addition	Grow by multiplication
Impact the persons they touch personally	Impact people far beyond their own reach

You will go to the highest level only if you begin developing leaders instead of followers. Leaders who develop leaders experience an incredible multiplication effect in their organizations that can be achieved in no other way—not by increasing resources, reducing costs, increasing profit margins, analyzing systems, implementing quality management procedures, or doing anything else. The only way to experience an explosive level of growth is to do the math—leader’s math. That’s the incredible power of the Law of Explosive Growth.

21. The Law of Legacy

“A Leader’s Lasting Value is Measured by Succession”.

LEADERS WHO LEAVE A LEGACY OF SUCCESSION …

·         LEAD THE ORGANIZATION WITH A “LONG VIEW”

It’s easy for anyone to make an organization look impressive briefly by starting something exciting, attracting a lot of people to an event, or cutting costs to improve profits. However, leaders who are remembered think ahead. They consider the future as well as the present when leading.

·         CREATE A LEADERSHIP CULTURE

The most successful companies have capable leaders at all levels. To achieve this, it’s important to set in the practice of nurturing new leaders into the company’s values.

·         PAY THE PRICE TODAY TO ASSURE SUCCESS TOMORROW

Success always comes with a cost. Every organization is different, so the cost varies. But leaders must be ready to pay this cost to achieve enduring success.

·         VALUE TEAM LEADERSHIP ABOVE INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP

No leader can achieve everything by themselves, no matter how skilled they are. Like a sports team needs good players to win, an organization needs a strong leadership team to be successful. The bigger the organization, the more robust and extensive the leadership team must be.

Planning succession is a major part of being a leader. Despite this, few leaders understand the importance of creating a legacy. You achieve when you do great things on your own. You succeed when you enable others to do great things with you. You become significant when you train leaders to do great things for you. But you only create a lasting legacy when you set up your organization to thrive even after you’re gone.

As you work to build your organization, remember this:

• Personnel determine the potential of the organization.
• Relationships determine the morale of the organization.
• Structure determines the size of the organization.
• Vision determines the direction of the organization.
• Leadership determines the success of the organization.

Well, there you have them—the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Learn them, take them to heart, and apply them to your life. If you follow them, people will follow you!

Refer Related Summaries:

1. “The Five Levels of Leadership”,
2. “The 360 Degree Leader“,
3. “14 Essential Traits of a Great Leader and How to Develop Them“,
4. “Code of the Extraordinary Mind”,
5. “Extreme Ownership”,
6. “Dare to Lead” ,
7. “The Leadership Challenge”,
8. “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team“ and
9. “Relation between Self Awareness and Leadership“