Archive for July, 2009

Jul
31

Leadership answers; no waiting!

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Three weeks ago, here and on Twitter I sought your input on books that you’d like to see from me in the future.

Within minutes, the comments here and the replies on Twitter came pouring in. And when we finally compiled all of your responses, we had close to 30 pages of ideas.

So many of you took the time to really consider the needs you see today, and then communicate them to me. Thank you! I’m excited by all the themes that really stirred my ideas for future books.

Now, what probably shouldn’t have surprised me was how many requests came in for topics that I’d addressed in previous books. Here’s the good news: You don’t have to wait a year or more for the book you requested! Since the books already exist, they can give immediate answers to your questions.

Here is just a sampling of your actual replies/comments (without names, to protect the innocent), along with the existing Maxwell book(s) that answer those questions.

I hope this is a helpful resource to you.

On Direction and Purpose:

  • I train elite athletes. Our dreams go to the wayside during the daily grind. We need a process to keep the achievable dream in focus.
  • Finding your true calling in business and in life. How to do what you want.
  • Interested in how to find purpose within internal processes that require collaboration when adversarial environment is prominent.
  • A book about discovering your passion in life, what it is you are “meant” to be, how to identify talents.
  • How do you know what you’re supposed to do in life? How do you plan for it after you know?

I’m happy to say that the answers to the above questions can be found in my new book, Put Your Dream to the Test.

On Working for a Difficult Boss or Leading from the Middle:

  • The problem I face is having to read my boss’s mind and dealing with his micromanagement. He gives me feedback (99% bad, things that irritate him) days or weeks after an event has happened, and when he does he lashes out from the build up of irritation. He questions the work my coworkers and I do, and assumes no work is getting done if he’s not updated on every detail. He’s a real demotivator, and I’m trying to shield my team and keep them going. Any advice?
  • How to deal with different types of leaders – a follower’s perspective.
  • A book about “followership” – How to be a good follower, (especially) under bad leadership.
  • How to lead a company from the middle. How middle management can change the direction of a company and how to get your ideas heard.
  • One for followers on how to help the leader.
  • A book for middle managers trying to break through to the next level.

The 360 Leader addresses all of these questions – and more – on leading up, down, and alongside.

On Various Leadership Issues:

I received many specific leadership questions. This is just a sampling:

  • Hiring eagles versus ducks.
  • Leading yourself (toughest leadership challenge there is)
  • On self-discipline and tools to train my staff in same area.
  • How to recover when you’ve violated laws of leadership.
  • Qualities of a leader of significance. The seasons of leadership, enduring legacy.
  • On working with boards, or a section on group politics.
  • Courage to make tough decisions in shaky economic times.

These questions and many more are answered in Leadership Gold, which contains the hardest-won leadership lessons of my life in one book. In 26 chapters, I share the nuggets of wisdom that I gained through my successes AND my failures.

I’ll stop here. I received so much feedback that I can’t address it all in one post. So stay tuned for another installment in this series very soon.

But in the meantime, don’t miss my next post!

I’ve got an exciting announcement regarding my 2010 book – and how YOU can have a part in creating it! 

Jul
25

Thank yous and News

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It’s just over a week since my mother’s memorial service, and I’m still amazed at the outpouring of support for our family. Thank you for your encouragement!

In a return to my normal speaking schedule, I’m guest preaching Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.

The Crystal Cathedral, founded by Robert A. Schuller in 1955, is the home base for the international Crystal Cathedral Ministries, including a congregation of over 10,000 members and the internationally televised “Hour of Power.”

In recent months, Dr. Schuller has introduced a new and exciting format for Sunday sermons and weekly broadcasts. Each week, he invites influential believers, preachers, and leaders to share their hearts with both the home church and international audience. In past weeks, the Crystal Cathedral has hosted Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Walt Kallestad, Tony Campolo, Ben Utecht, Becca Cook, and Bill Butterworth.

This week I’m honored to share the platform with Dr. Schuller, along with model and author Kathy Ireland, and musician Mark Schultz.

If you’re in Southern California this weekend, I’d love to see you there. Here is information on location and times.

Hour of Power will broadcast the weekend messages in a few weeks, both on television and online. They also offer a variety of podcasts.

Thank you again for your loving messages of hope. We still rejoice in my mother’s ultimate healing and joy.

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Jul
14

In Memoriam

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Very early this morning, my mother, Laura Maxwell, passed away.

She was 88 years old and lived a full and rich life. We rejoice that she is now with Jesus.

This Friday, July 17, her family and friends will gather for a private service, where we will celebrate her life, even as we mourn our loss.

Thank you to all who have already sent condolences and words of comfort. We are truly grateful for your love and support.

Maxwell
Laura Maxwell

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to

Park Ministries

c/o Barbara Harrison

155 Zermat

Winter Haven, FL 33881

Categories : personal
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Jul
08

Writing for a live audience

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singapore tunnel

You know you’ve been on the road too long…

When you announce to nearly 30,000 people that the tunnel you’re traveling through, the longest underground fully-automated tunnel in Asia, is in Hong Kong…

And it turns out that you – and the tunnel – are actually in Singapore.

Fortunately, when I posted that on Twitter, my whirlwind tour of Asia was almost over. After wrapping up with a great teaching time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I’ve made it home.

I love traveling, and I love teaching in Asia. Most of all, I love speaking to a live audience. My personality just seems to be better suited to the instant feedback I get from people physically in the room with me. It allows me to adapt and modify my message to the response of my audience and to meet needs as I see them.

Other methods of teaching, like talking to a camera lens or writing a book, have always been less fluid and immediate.

Until now. The age of Web 2.0 is changing all that. And I’m excited about the possibilities.

This year, as we finalize my book scheduled for Spring, 2010, we plan to harness the power of social media and get input from the readers (i.e. YOU) before the book goes to print.

So in September, watch this space for details on how you can have an impact on the 2010 book on the power of connecting.

Also, though it may seem strange to some, we’re already planning my book for 2011. But this time, before we write even one page, I thought it would be fun to find out what you think.

I already made this request on Twitter, and have received over 400 responses in two days. But if Tweeting isn’t your thing, here’s your opportunity to respond. Leave a comment on this post, answering this question:

What problems do you face that you’d like to see addressed in a book from me?

I admit, I do have several good ideas for books.  But I want to know what questions you’re asking and what issues you’re dealing with.  And this is my way to get your immediate feedback, much the way I do when I speak.

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