The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You

Good leaders don't just happen – they learn the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership. This is the theme of John C. Maxwell's 1998 best selling book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. in which Maxwell outlines the principles and traits essential to become an effective leader. In essence, leadership is influence – the capacity to transform vision into reality. Leaders must be innovative, passionate, confident, and courageous in order to influence others.

Law 1: The Law of the Lid.

Maxwell argues that the effectiveness of any leader is limited to the leader's ability, and what he calls the “lid” of that ability. As a leader, it is important to constantly strive to reach one's highest potential as this will set the bar for others in the organization to strive for.

Law 2: The Law of Influence.

A leader's ability to influence others is the foundation of effective leadership. If a leader cannot influence the people around him or her, he or she will not be a successful leader. A leader must have charisma, be able to communicate effectively, and foster relationships with those around him or her.

Law 3: The Law of Process.

Leadership is not a one-time event, but rather a process of learning and refining skills. A leader must continually strive to grow and develop in order to remain effective. This means staying up to date on developments in the industry, attending seminars and workshops, and reading the latest books. Most importantly, a leader must mentor and coach those who follow.

Law 4: The Law of Navigation.

A leader must be able to effectively navigate their team to success. This means having clear goals and a strategy to reach them. A leader must be able to set a course, and then keep their team on track and on course.

Law 5: The Law of Quality Relationships.

Maxwell states that a leader must foster quality relationships with those around him or her, as these relationships are the foundation of the leader's influence. This means being authentic, generous, and trustworthy, and having a genuine interest in the success of others.

Law 6: The Law of Respect.

A leader must ensure that all people in their organization are treated with respect. This means they must listen to others, offer advice and guidance to develop the skills of those around them, and provide support and recognition when it is due.

Law 7: The Law of Intuition.

A leader must be in tune with their own intuition and be able to quickly read a situation and make decisions. Intuition – that inner voice – can be invaluable in times of crisis or decision making.

Law 8: The Law of Magnetism.

A leader must have a magnetic personality that can draw and motivate others. This means having a passion for the task at hand and the ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve the goals of the organization.

Law 9: The Law of Oxygen.

A leader must provide the necessary oxygen for their team to flourish. This means recognizing successes, celebrating failures, and providing an environment conducive to learning and growth.

Law 10: The Law of Connection.

A leader must be able to connect with their team on an emotional level. This means demonstrating that they care about their team and building relationships centered around trust and respect.

Law 11: The Law of Addition.

A leader must have the confidence to add value to their team through the contributions of their individual team members. This means celebrating team achievements, trusting one another, and allowing for creativity and innovation.

Law 12: The Law of Victory.

A leader must be able to inspire others to reach heights they never thought possible. This is done through celebrating wins and providing small rewards for those who put forth extra effort.

Law 13: The Law of the Big Mo.

Maxwell defines the “Big Mo” as Momentum, or the ability to continue a course of action despite obstacles. To do this, a leader must have the perseverance to drive their team to success.

Law 14: The Law of Buy-In.

A leader must create buy-in of their team in their vision and mission. This is done through open communication, involvement in decision making, and ensuring that team members understand the roles they play in achieving the goals of the organization.

Law 15: The Law of Victory.

A leader must be able to lead from the front, setting the example for their team. This is done through being passionate about their work and inspiring others to do their best.

Law 16: The Law of Intentionality.

A leader must be able to plan and be purposeful in their approach to reaching the organization’s objectives. This means having a clear vision in mind and being able to put processes, roles and responsibilities in place to achieve it.

Law 17: The Law of Enlargement.

A leader must continually strive to grow and develop their skills. They must be open to new ideas and invest time in personal growth and development, as this will enable them to effectively lead their team.

Law 18: The Law of Picture.

A leader must be able to paint a clear, vivid picture of the future they wish to create. This means having a clear strategy and the ability to communicate and articulate it clearly to their team.

Law 19: The Law of Priority.

A leader must have the discipline to prioritize their tasks and focus on the important objectives. This is done through clear delegation and the ability to communicate clear expectations and deadlines for completion.

Law 20: The Law of Sacrifice.

Leadership requires a great deal of sacrifice, both in terms of time and energy. A leader must be willing to make these sacrifices in order to achieve their goals.

Law 21: The Law of Timing.

A leader must have the ability to recognize the opportune moment and be able to take advantage of it. This requires the ability to remain calm and attentive, and be able to act quickly when the time is right.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is an invaluable book for any aspiring leader. Within it, Maxwell outlines the traits and characteristics necessary to become an effective leader. Leaders must have the ability to influence, possess an unshakeable self-confidence, and be willing to make sacrifices. Furthermore, they must be creative and innovative, and cultivate quality relationships with those they lead. With these 21 laws as a foundation, any leader can be successful.