Leadership 101

Maxwell Critique: Character is Leadership

     Maxwell’s book, Leadership 101 is the most significant book in the leadership literature repertoire that you assigned. This is a life book, not just a book on leadership. Maxwell lists four areas to master in life: Relationships, Equipping, Attitude, and Leadership. In my opinion, all of them involve character. Character is inseparably linked to leadership. Actually, I think it can be said, character is leadership. Leadership crumbles when character and found lacking. Maxwell points out that, “Character makes trust possible. And trust makes leadership possible” (p. 47). Maxwell uses General H. Norman Schwarzkopf to point out how significant character is to leadership. Schwarzkopf points out that character is more important than strategy. One’s ultimate strategy must be character. If you desire to lead effectively you must have integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness. All these are the building blocks of character.
     His question in the preface, “Why Leadership 101” he discusses influence. Later he discusses it in more depth. Maxwell points out that we will influence at least ten thousand people in our lifetime. That’s a bit unbelievable, yet reasonably true if we reach 80. His question raised for us to consider is how will you use your influence? In that regard this book challenges me. To be a leader I must first lead myself. Simple point, yet an important one. How can I lead others if I am not leading myself? What am I influencing my own character with? This book provides a map to follow. It’s pocket size too!
     On extending influence, Maxwell points out that you must grow so that you have something to give. The work never stops. One can always grow and one should grow. I guess the problem is desire to do so. Change is hard and when you grow things must change. Personal growth is important. When we stagnate we start to rot and smell. We take those around us for granted and begin to use them for our own selfish gain. Not good stuff. Principals should not use and destroy others for their own selfish aggrandizement. Some stepped on others, cheated, and laid waste to themselves, their colleagues, and the school system. Then others, tainted by the scandal of failed leadership must pick up the pieces and lead. Yet, the leadership is one that involves politics and micro-managing. True change in my opinion involves empowering as Maxwell describes it on page 96 and 97. I doubt that most principals will empower their staff this way. An appearance of change must be made; I hope true change will also result. Maxwell’s book should be on every teacher’s Christmas gift list for their principal and School Board member! It’s a blueprint for true leadership. The cover is blue too!