Through his organizations and books, John Maxwell has helped thousands of people develop professionally and personally, especially by enhancing their ability to lead effectively. One of these notable books is The 360° Leader, which challenges the idea that leadership is reserved only for those in high positions, proposing that we can all influence and lead at different levels. Below, we’ll explore the key lessons from John Maxwell’s book The 360° Leader.
Lead yourself first
Through the book The 360 ° Leader, John Maxwell teaches us the importance of learning to lead oneself first, since every person, before starting to lead and influence others, must begin by developing self-discipline, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. At this point, Maxwell mentions that if we are not capable of leading ourselves and being consistent with our values and principles, we cannot expect anyone else to follow us.
Therefore, before leading our subordinates, colleagues, or bosses, we must first demonstrate strong self-leadership to build credibility and trust. This will help us be more consistent, have greater confidence, and allow us to influence (more effectively) all areas of our organization. For example, a sales supervisor cannot lead a sales team if that supervisor has not previously been a good salesperson.
Influence without position or authority
Through his book, The 360° Leader, John Maxwell teaches us the importance of knowing how to lead without relying on position or authority, as Maxwell emphasizes that leadership is about influence, not position. At this point, Maxwell emphasizes that to lead, it is not necessary to hold a top position in an organization; rather, one can lead from anywhere within the organization.
Through this lesson, we can challenge certain customs and myths that lead us to believe that, in order to lead, we must be a boss or have a formal appointment or title. As effective leaders, we can lead through credibility, trust, and the creation of values, influencing from any position without the need for authority or a management position.
Building trust and genuine relationships
In the book The 360° Leader, John Maxwell teaches us the importance of generating trust and genuine relationships in order to lead effectively since leadership is not about having authority but about having the ability to influence our superiors, colleagues, and subordinates, based on the construction of solid and genuine relationships that encourage collaboration and the fulfillment of group goals and objectives.
Because of this, in order to lead effectively, we must learn to take an interest in others, focus on providing them with value and build genuine relationships, as this will allow us to generate trust in our environment, which will enhance our influence and help us create a culture of collaboration and teamwork.
Developing other leaders is
The book teaches us that leadership is not only about our personal success or influence but is also based on the ability to contribute to the success of other people by offering our support to other leaders.
By fostering the growth of other leaders, we strengthen our credibility and amplify our impact within the organization, which facilitates the achievement of its goals and objectives. For example, if we are the only leader in an organization, our reach and influence will be limited. On the other hand, when we contribute to the development of more leaders (promoting their growth and skills), the collective impact is multiplied, driving the success and sustainability of the entire organization.
What do you think about this topic? Do you know of any other lessons this book teaches us?
If you have any questions or queries, you can write them below (comments section).
