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!
23 responses so far ↓
1 kristie // Jul 31, 2009 at 6:00 am
what do you think about kabbalah?
2 Dale Hart // Jul 31, 2009 at 6:06 am
As a consultant for non-profit organizations, I wish I could package your books and require boards to read. They have to learn to take leadership seriously. They continually put non-leaders in leadership positions, then cry when they do not perform.
3 Jr Davis // Jul 31, 2009 at 6:33 am
I would like to see you write a book dealing with leaders who are under 45 years old who are doing great things as leaders. I read and like most of your books. I am 30 years old and teaching high school and been doing that for 8 years. I also work at a casino and already in leadership position there. You are a blessing in my life.
4 javier Menjivar // Jul 31, 2009 at 6:50 am
I am a 17 year old Youth leader and hope to be a yourh pastor, can you give me advice on dealing with older youth i deal with mostly 18 to 26 year olds and i have trouble connecting
5 veron chapple // Jul 31, 2009 at 6:59 am
balance as a leader. how do you do it? home, family, ministry, self, that is if you have time for self?
6 javier Menjivar // Jul 31, 2009 at 7:17 am
I minister to the youth at church and prech to them about once a week i feel that when i am behind the pulpit i can express my self it’s my strong point and i am always looking for self time but when it comes to more social meetings i can really connect myself with the younger youth and feel a little intimidated by the older youth in a sense of giving advice to someone that i feel has more life experiance
7 David Linden // Jul 31, 2009 at 7:18 am
I have a Blog site where I put the bible studies that I write, out for people to read. I also post the iMAX guides as I write them. Any suggestions for taking this to another level, and or my writing skills?
8 Terry Smith // Jul 31, 2009 at 8:10 am
Thanks for your recomendatiosn John, this is very helpful…Terry
9 Ginny Ritz // Jul 31, 2009 at 9:04 am
Hello! This will be nothing new…. to tell you what an impact your writings have had on my life…
I was fortunate enough to have a Leadership position in a small company starting 2 years ago. You were at my fingertips all along the way. I believe I did as good as I did because of your guidance. Unfortunately, I’ve since lost my job. It has left me with such a desire to have another leadership position, that anything else just pales in comparison. What does one do when the plug has been pulled??? I am back in sales, and of course, there are plenty of ways to show leadership to those around, but nothing like BEING in the leadership position. I feel like I had to take a giant step backwards. I know there are plenty of folks much worse off than I, but I want to move forward and learn and grow and continue to give. I must admit, I have your new book, but haven’t cracked the cover yet…. perhaps the answer I seek is there! I’ll get back with you on that!
I really just wanted to say, “Thanks”, and add my name to the stack of well wishers that you hear from daily! You DO make a difference and we are all blessed by what you continuously give!
Ginny Ritz
10 myshrink // Jul 31, 2009 at 9:37 am
I type with two fingers and so I have made it my goal that by the end of this year, I will be able to type with all my fingers efficiently ( efficient is the KEY word
) Anyway, you mentioned that you dedicate only a few minutes a day towards writing your book. At the end of the year, a book is born, based on that few minutes of decidation. My question is, how do you know what to write for that day in order to be alligned with the thesis of the book? How do you organize your writing? Can you please address that in your next book? Does that few minutes also include researching?
I am working on a research paper right now and I can use some tips from you.
Thank you again for bringing positive thought into my life. Life is great with people like you.
11 Bethany // Jul 31, 2009 at 9:50 am
Hi, Dr. Maxwell! Your books are wonderful – everyone of them. Have you considered an autobiography? I absolutely love reading self-help books and yours are at the top of my lists! Also, I love to read biographies and autobiographies of successful people and wonderful role models. I have gained a lot of information and benefit from reading your blog here (such as your filing system,…). It would be inspiring and educational to have a book about your life – how you began your ascent to leadership roles, the methods that have worked for you, the methods that did not work,…
Thank you for the wonderful books. Your writings are a wonderful blessing!
Bethany
12 Fausto // Jul 31, 2009 at 10:32 am
A leader has to delegate. What are the techniques to report activities and results? In general, I would like a book not only with the “what” but with the “how” in the practical environment. Great job, John, thanks.
13 Robin Grosswirth // Jul 31, 2009 at 10:40 am
Mr. Maxwell.
Since you write about good leadership, in particular, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, how do you think the philosophy can be translated to tools like Twitter where we see certain individuals taking on leadership roles and misguiding other followers?
14 Ekenem Isichei // Jul 31, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Mr. Maxwell,
Thanks for being such an inspiration. I met you at lakewood church and you signed one of the few books i bought from you. One of the challenges i have is being disciplined on a daily basis in fulfilling my purpose in terms of reading and studying to be a better leader. What do you suggest i do to stay focused and practical ?
15 BARB GIGLIO // Jul 31, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I would love to see you write a book called, “Conspiracy In The Marketplace”. I had a store named The Marketplace at Mint Hill and it was underhandedly taken from us and the new folks opened and did the same concept. They inherited 8 yrs of hard work, and didn’t pay a cent for it. The people who did this to us claim to be Christians. At 40 yrs old it was the most incredible eye opener of our lives. I never knew people could do people they way this was done to us. I believe put it on my heart the title of this book, but I am not a writer and I’ve always felt the title was so powerful and could make a big impression to the body of Christ and business owners. Just a thought, and I’m prompted by the holy spirit to send this. I actually wanted to send it the day you tweeted about your mom passing on so I have put it off until now. It has been on my mind and I’m glad to have another opportunity to share topic with someone like yourself who I’m sure could turn the title into a best seller! Thank you for your time, and God bless you – Barb Giglio
16 people-power // Jul 31, 2009 at 3:33 pm
What a great response, so many questions so little time. Loved how you directed the known answers to your other books a quick fix, the best kind. Your new book is very intriguing, can’t wait to see how we can be apart of it. Have fun tonight with the little angel, I’m sure she really is.
17 Michael Hamilton // Jul 31, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Hi John,
The biggest problem that I face in leading in my business is the generation gap between me and my older staff members. Being only 26 I am ‘Gen Y’ but I have staff that are 50+ “Baby Boomers’ I find it harder to relate to them and change their stubborn ways. Most people I speak with say ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ and ‘leave them to it and focus on the young blood coming through’. But as a leader, I feel I am failing. I genuinely care about these people and there goals and want them to do better for themselves. I’m only new to your material and am enjoying it so far. I am now listening to the audiobook version of ‘Leadership Gold’ in my car. What else do you recommend would help me with my dilemma?
Thank You, Michael
18 Michael Alapaki // Aug 1, 2009 at 12:42 am
17 Michael Hamilton. Funny, I’m a 53-yr-old in an office of 20-30s. For 30 years, I railed against the old guys not changing. Now I’m an old guy, and hear the GenX’s and GenY’s whispering amongst themselves and laughing at my conservative ways.
Don’t try to relate. You can’t. Generations aren’t just lines drawn between years–each is distinguished by it’s culture, values, and language because of the defining events that united it. You just can’t know what it’s like to have grown up during Kennedy, LSD, Apollo, the riots, Vietnam, the pill, Kent State, and Watergate.
If you’re the leader, lead. You can’t motivate us, but it’s your job to eliminate the conditions that de-motivate us.
I think we still want the same basic things at work: to influence our environment, to express ourselves, to be great contributors, and to be recognized for our unique talents, skills, and experiences.
If you can do the job, I’ll follow you. If you can’t, I won’t. I don’t think that changes between generations.
19 people-power // Aug 1, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Never stop dreaming, a dream is an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will and emotions, empowering you to do everything it takes to achieve it. Keep learning and growing always try to improve one-self. Continue to fight the good fight of success, the law of process. Once again injoyed talking to the leadershiponline team have fun during your holiday week get lots of rest to, continue to be cheerful, stronger, more determined to get back to work..
20 people-power // Aug 2, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Thanks Kevin for that great message, love your building.. say hi to shelia. One question I have for your new book is about momentum. How does one obtain it and also keep it? I think change is required, we need to be a person who has tenacity and discipline. Anyone can take a long shower and come up with a good idea. I heard you say once, fix your gaze beyond what’s easily attainable, get out-side of your comfort zone. A very powerful statement. Talent is never enough i had to really think on this for a while before I could fully understand it. It does take many of many positives to become a successful leader. Have a great weekend and have lots of fun at your next meeting.
21 people-power // Aug 3, 2009 at 7:37 am
I couldn’t agree more..
22 people-power // Aug 4, 2009 at 6:34 am
Never rely on experience and seniority to compensate for your decline in knowledge and ability. Self-preservation sabotages leadership. Continue to learn to grow other wise you will to forced to cling to position instead of merit. Not a good thing. Once again inspired by JCM have a fun night.
23 Harold // Aug 11, 2009 at 5:48 pm
John,
I really enjoy your talks at Worldwide functions. Will you be at FED this October?
Also, I noticed that you mentioned in at least two places in your Maxwell daily reader the need to lead different people differently. You also mentioned that on one of your 360 degree leader cd’s. How do I find more info on how to go about doing that. I have a book called Sponsor with Style by Rohm. It is forwarded by Bert Gulick and recommended by Jody Victor. I showed it to my upline mentor and he said I was getting too technical. I just want to be able to give people the leadership that they need instead of a cookie cutter approach. Any thoughts?
Thanks