The Leader's Greatest Return Book Summary - The Leader's Greatest Return Book explained in key points

The Leader's Greatest Return summary

John C. Maxwell

Brief summary

The Leader's Greatest Return by John C. Maxwell is a powerful guide that emphasizes the importance of investing in leadership development. It provides practical strategies for multiplying your impact by developing other leaders.

Give Feedback
Topics
Table of Contents

    The Leader's Greatest Return
    Summary of key ideas

    Understanding Leadership Development

    In The Leader's Greatest Return by John C. Maxwell, the author begins by emphasizing the importance of developing leaders. He argues that the true measure of a leader is not in the number of followers they have, but in the number of leaders they create. Maxwell introduces the concept of the leadership table, a metaphorical space where leaders gather, grow, and develop.

    Maxwell then delves into the seven motivators that drive individuals. These motivators include personal growth, personal recognition, personal achievement, personal development, personal satisfaction, personal responsibility, and personal advancement. Understanding these motivators, he suggests, is crucial in helping leaders guide their team members effectively.

    Empowering Others

    Next, Maxwell focuses on the importance of empowering others. He introduces the 10-80-10 principle, which divides individuals into three categories based on their performance. The top 10% are high performers and should be empowered, the middle 80% are the majority and should be trained, and the bottom 10% are low performers and should be removed from their positions.

    He further emphasizes the need for leaders to not just develop others, but to also create a culture of leadership development within their organizations. This involves creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to lead, learn, and grow. He argues that when leaders focus on developing their team members, they create a sustainable culture of leadership, ensuring the organization's long-term success.

    Choosing Who to Develop

    Maxwell then addresses the challenge of choosing who to develop as a leader. He introduces the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, which suggests that 20% of the inputs are responsible for 80% of the results. Applying this principle to leadership development, he advises leaders to focus their efforts on the 20% of individuals who are having the most impact on the organization's success.

    He also emphasizes the importance of personal growth, both for the leader and the team members. He suggests that leaders should invest in their own growth and development, and also encourage their team members to do the same. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, leaders can create a team of high-performing individuals.

    Reaping the Greatest Return

    In the final section of The Leader's Greatest Return, Maxwell discusses the impact of developing leaders. He argues that when leaders focus on creating more leaders, they not only ensure the organization's success but also leave a lasting legacy. He believes that the true measure of a leader's success is not what they achieve, but what their followers achieve.

    Maxwell concludes by emphasizing that the greatest return a leader can get is not in their personal success, but in the success of those they develop. He encourages leaders to invest their time, energy, and resources in developing others, as this is the key to long-term success and a lasting legacy.

    Give Feedback
    How do we create content on this page?
    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is The Leader's Greatest Return about?

    The Leader's Greatest Return by John C. Maxwell explores the concept of leadership development and the importance of empowering others. Maxwell emphasizes the idea that a leader's ultimate legacy is not just in what they achieve, but in the development of other leaders. Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, the book provides a roadmap for leaders to invest in and mentor the next generation, ensuring a lasting impact.

    The Leader's Greatest Return Review

    The Leader's Greatest Return (2020) explores how leaders can multiply their impact by investing in others. Here's why this book is worth your time:
    • It presents a roadmap for leadership development, emphasizing the importance of mentoring and empowering others to reach their full potential.
    • The book highlights strategies for cultivating strong relationships, fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration within organizations.
    • Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, it offers a refreshing perspective on leadership growth, ensuring readers stay engaged from start to finish.

    Who should read The Leader's Greatest Return?

    • Leaders and aspiring leaders who want to develop and empower others

    • Managers and executives looking to create a culture of leadership within their organization

    • Individuals who are committed to personal and professional growth and are open to new leadership strategies

    About the Author

    John C. Maxwell is a renowned author, speaker, and leadership expert. With over 50 books to his name, including The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and Developing the Leader Within You, Maxwell has established himself as a leading voice in the field of personal and professional development. Through his work, he has inspired countless individuals to reach their full potential and become effective leaders. Maxwell's insights and practical advice continue to empower people around the world to lead with excellence.

    Categories with The Leader's Greatest Return

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    32 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    The Leader's Greatest Return FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Leader's Greatest Return?

    The main message of The Leader's Greatest Return is about the importance of multiplying your leadership by investing in others.

    How long does it take to read The Leader's Greatest Return?

    The reading time for The Leader's Greatest Return varies. The Blinkist summary can be read quickly.

    Is The Leader's Greatest Return a good book? Is it worth reading?

    This book is worth reading as it emphasizes the significance of developing leaders around you.

    Who is the author of The Leader's Greatest Return?

    The author of The Leader's Greatest Return is John C. Maxwell.

    What to read after The Leader's Greatest Return?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Leader's Greatest Return, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Coaching for Performance by Sir John Whitmore
    • Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith
    • Start with Why by Simon Sinek
    • The No Asshole Rule by Robert I. Sutton
    • Good to Great by Jim Collins
    • Inspired by Marty Cagan
    • The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto
    • You Can Negotiate Anything by Herb Cohen
    • Winning by Jack Welch with Suzy Welch
    • Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg