John C. Maxwell - The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leaders Day: Revitalize Your Spirit and Empower Your Leadership

THE 21 MOST
POWERFUL
MINUTES
IN A LEADERS DAY

REVITALIZE YOUR SPIRIT and
Friday, February 26, 2010

JOHN C. MAXWELL

2000 and 2007 by John C.Maxwell

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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

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Scripture quotations noted NKJV are from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

Scripture quotations noted The Message are from The Message: The New Testament in Contemporary English. 1993 by Eugene H. Peterson.

Scripture quotations noted NIV are from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION . 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted NASB are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE . The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations noted KJV are from the KING JAMES VERSION.

Scripture quotations noted CEV are from THE CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION. 1991 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Maxwell, John C.

The 21 most powerful minutes in a leaders day
ISBN 978-0-7852-7432-2 (HC)
ISBN 978-0-7852-6785-0 (IE)
ISBN 978-0-7852-8927-2 (repak)
00-134098

Printed in the United States of America

09 10 11 12 13 QW 11 10 9 8 7 6 5

This book is dedicated to the following people who serve with me and John Hull on the EQUIP board. Together we have a dream to raise up leaders who will make a difference in the lives of millions of people.

In the USA

Dale Bronner
Gerald Brooks
Sam Chand
Jim Dornan
Todd Duncan
Matt Eddy
J. Don George
Tamara Heim
Chris Hodges
Larry Maxwell
David Meyer
Kevin Miller
Steve Miller
Ray Moats
Tom Mullins
Tom Phillippe
In Canada
Reg Andrews
Sam Chan
Bernd Gerber
Eva Gooderham
Craig Jeffery
Gil Scott

CONTENTS

Two leaders couldnt have been more different, from the depths of their hearts to the lids of their leadership. One was a leader after Gods own heart. Both teach invaluable leadership lessons.

The first time he attempted to lead, the people wouldnt listen to him. Years later when he tried again, his influence was so strong that the people did everything he wantedno questions asked. Thats the power of influence.

He was ready to lead as a cocky kid, but God had a different plan in mind. As a result he helped his family, saved a nation, and fulfilled Gods destiny for his lifeall because of the Law of Process.

In a few weeks, he was able to accomplish what other leaders couldnt do in a century. His secret? Vision, calling, and the Law of Navigation.

They were the one group Jesus criticized most. Why? Because they added value to themselves instead of to the people they led. May Jesus admonition be a warning to us!

He should have been one of the greatest leaders in Israels history. Instead he was one of its worst. Why? He violated the Law of Solid Ground and frittered away his leadership.

Why did Israels strongest leaders follow a woman when every other leader of the nation had been a man? Because she was the greatest leader of her generation. Thats the power of the Law of Respect.

Would you want to listen to the advice of one of your in-laws? Your answer would be yes if you were teachable and he was an intuitive leader able to help you turn your leadership around overnight!

His leadership was characterized by fire. So who did he draw to him to follow in his footsteps? He couldnt help attracting someone with the same kind of fiery leadership. Learn from him whom you will likely attract.

He could have had the people eating out of his hand. Instead, they ate him alive. It cost him everything. Thats what happens when you violate the Law of Connection.

His leadership team was a whos who of Israel unlike any seen before him or since. They helped him become a great leaderand they helped make Israel the nation it was destined to be.

Who would have the courage to embrace a man everyone feared and then empower him to be the greatest leader of his time? Only a leader secure enough to give his power away. Thats the secret to the Law of Empowerment.

Elisha was able to part the waters of the Jordan, ensure that a destitute widow miraculously survived, and even raise the dead. How was a farmer able to do such amazing feats? Simple: he watched Elijah. People do what people see.

The people suffered horrible oppression and wanted relief, but they did nothinguntil this leader arrived on the scene. Why? Because the people buy in to the leader first, then the vision.

Everything was stacked against him: he was only eight years old when he became the leader, his father and grandfather had been horrible leaders, and the country was a mess. Yet he achieved victory like no other king of Israel. His secret is contained in the Law of Victory.

His father started the momentum. He increased it. As a result, people came from all around the world to meet him and learn from his leadership. Theres no doubting that the Big Mo was his best friend.

The stakes were as high as could be, and he (of all people) was entrusted with leading the movement. He succeeded, and that movement has grown for thousands of yearsall because he understood the Law of Priorities.

He was a prince who stepped down in order to move upto a higher calling. How was he able to do it? He understood the true nature of leadership. You have to give up to go up.

There are certain moments in a leaders life when timing is everything. She understood that, and she made the most of it. And as a result, an entire people escaped certain death.

Everywhere he went, he left in his wake... leaders. He found them,developed them, and empowered them. That was the way he spread his influence across the globe. That was the power of the Law of Explosive Growth.

Some leaders collect souvenirs. Others capture trophies. This leader created a legacy that endures to this day. Learn his secret, and you can carry on in his footsteps.

Thank you to the team of people who helped me work on this book:

Charlie Wetzelfor his writing skill and wisdom

Dan Reilandfor his creativity and leadership insight

Tim Elmorefor his biblical insight and keen perception

Stephanie Wetzelfor her assistance with proofreading and editing

Linda Eggersfor the way she runs my life

H ow can I become a better leader? Thats a question I ask myself every day of my life. Im constantly searching for new things to learn and ways to grow. But sometimes the best way to learn is to return to the fundamentals. After all, thats what championship coaches do when they want to sharpen the skills of their players, whether theyre rookies or seasoned veterans.