(4.67 from 5)
I was recently invited to attend one of John Maxwell’s lectures on Leadership, which was being hosted in the auditorium of a large church in Asheville, North Carolina. I had debated for a few days on whether or not to go. The con was that I am not a big fan of lectures as they always fall short of my expectations, with more time spent on the speaker advertising his/her latest books and related materials for you to buy, then on actually teaching you something new and useful. The pro was that I was curious whether Maxwell, who had written and sold so many books on leadership, might actually have something useful for me to learn.
There were approximately 800 people in attendance the night of the lecture, with the majority mature business people, most with grey hair. There was a big stage and screen announcing in big lights; ‘John Maxwell on Leadership’.
After introductions to the host charity and those sponsoring it and the lecture that evening, Maxwell took the stage and introduced himself, his age (mid 60s), his marriage of 40 years, his kids and grandkids, and all the books he has sold over the years.
Maxwell then went on to tell several entertaining and endearing jokes about his kids and grandkids, and then touched briefly on what he felt were some keys to success:
• relationships,
• ability to equip and train others,
• having the right attitude,
• and the ability to lead others.
A quick example was then mentioned: how one charity might be successful and others not, were only an issue of right and wrong leadership, according to Maxwell. By touched on briefly I mean that those very words were mentioned, and nothing more.
More jokes about his life and family were then delivered along with mentions of his books, the book on offer in the lecture hall reception area, and other resources available for purchase via the Internet.
Finally, half way through, the ‘meat’ of his lecture started. However, instead of leadership or a leadership related topic being discussed, Maxwell offered: ‘put your dreams to the test’ and went on to introduce that your success in achieving ‘the dream’ is determined by the valid reasons you have to do it. One reason is an uphill battle but 5 reasons is a more valid dream.
In short the 5 reasons were:
• Is my dream really my dream (or someone else’s –like my parents)?
• Do I clearly see my dream?
• Am I depending on things within my control to achieve my dream?
• Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?
• Am I moving closer to my dream?
Then more jokes and life stories were thrown in, as well as a break allowing you to buy his book and have him sign it. A few more quick tips on success being achieved by keeping to a daily agenda of 5 things key to your own personal success, that decision making is overrated (as it takes a second to make) and that decision management is underrated (as we do it daily), etc. etc.
I would have loved to report here on some interesting ideas on leadership from John Maxwell’s lecture on leadership, but there were none. Maxwell chose to speak to a mature and likely fairly business savvy audience on ‘how to chase your dreams’ a topic much more suited to a one-on-one with his kids or grandkids, or to an audience of young professionals. He was a good well-versed speaker and teller of ‘life-lesson’ tales, stories and jokes, so maybe it is time for him to step away from modern leadership topics and move on to ‘the memoirs series’.
Am I disappointed I went/do I feel my time and money were wasted? Yes and no. No because going cured my curiosity and confirmed why I typically do not like attending such lectures, and his life stories and talent for public speaking were somewhat entertaining. Yes because I learned nothing new from him, and that to me was simply a waste of my time.
I was going to attend a similar event in Moscow but unfortunately it got canceled - the guru couldn’t come because of the dust cloud from the volcano. How I wish I could have shared my impressions with you
Цитата из рекламы: “Мы команда супер специалистов научим Вас как без усилий заработать $ 1 000 000.
Обучение даром - 0,02 % всего! Каких - то $200″
А если Вы такие талантливые, то почему же работаете по мелочи?
Тери! Вы описали современного Остапа Бендера из “Двенадцать стульев” И. Ильфа и Петрова.
Купите его книжки, закажите через Интернет везде одна ложь, расчитанная на простаков.
Не бывает ответов на вопросы (в книгах и проч.), но поиски их есть движение к истине
There are no answers to all questions, but their searches of is a movement to true …
I’m glad we can share ideas and emotions here!The majority of the numerous so called ‘business-books” I have read did no good at all (even several by Maxwell =) )- only empty words. The same case is about the seminars organized by famous business trainers, giving out tons of useless theory. You know, Newton used to say that examples are better than rules.
This article is very interesting, this is a real problem – a huge distance between theory and practice and many modern business books are not helpful in real life and career. That is why very often I pay high price for such business textbook and then stop reading it on the 10th page)
Thank you!