Week Ten – Maxwell Book – David

Maxwell’s Book The 360 Degree Leader

In the book The 360-Degree Leader, the author, John C. Maxwell shows how 99% of all leadership in most organizations takes place in the middle; and then he shares the secrets of how to increase our influence from wherever we are. Maxwell teaches that people who desire to lead from the middle of organizations face unique challenges and are often held back by myths that prevent them from developing their influence. His book, however, sets straight the myths, shows us how to overcome the challenges, and teaches us the skills we need to become an all-around 360-degree leader.

Maxwell teaches us about leading down, and it is more that just getting people to do what we want. He says that it is our attempt to add value to them in any way we can. One principle I feel will be helpful to me to use as a “rule” when working with people, would be his principle to “Transfer the vision.” Maxwell says that as middle leaders, we are the crucial link in the process of transferring what is primarily the vision of others (248). He continues that the vision may be cast by the top leaders, but rarely gets transferred to the people without the “whole-hearted participation of the leaders lower in the organization.” Even though the middle leaders do not always invent the vision, Maxwell reminds the reader that almost always they have to interpret it. To interpret this vision in a way that will ignite people and set them off in the right direction, he says that we must present it with the following: clarity; a connection to the past, present, and future; a purpose; goals; a challenge; stories and a passion.

Maxwell, John. The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization. Thomas Nelson Inc, 2006.