Summary and Review of Leadership Gold by John C. Maxwell

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Executive Summary

John C. Maxwell waited till he was sixty years old to write Leadership Gold.  He explains that he didn’t want to write the book at an earlier age because he did not feel like he had acquired enough experience and information to adequately meet his own leadership standards.  The book is his legacy to leadership, and Maxwell wanted to develop a tool that would be able to guide and shape people’s potential to lead.  He did not just want to help mentor people in becoming a good boss at work, but he wanted to develop people to be leaders in life.  Whether you are in the business world or part of an organization within your community, Leadership Gold appeals to anyone who reads it.   Maxwell’s insight to leadership is aimed at getting the best results from people by creating meaningful and powerful relationships through a more developed leader. 

Maxwell does not jump into leadership with just theories and procedures.  Instead, he slowly introduces the leadership role with relatable topics.  His beginning chapter, “If It’s Lonely at the Top, You’re Not Doing Something Right”, was a great introduction because of its smooth, yet powerful, meaning.  This chapter may first appear as a simple lesson however, Maxwell uses it as the foundation of the entire book.  The subtle message of “working with others” goes further than just conformity within a team, but the importance of earning the trust and respect of people through actions.  He continues a teambuilding focus throughout the book and explains the different ways that leadership is really a role of people development.  He is able to mentor leadership techniques to the reader such as listening skills and proactive planning that builds a better leader, as well as, develops better relationships.