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Character and Leadership

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CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP
CLASS FINAL
ESSAY 9
Kenny Violette
Mid-America Christian University
October 2013

A BRIEF OPENING COMMENT I would like to take just a moment to speak about John C. Maxwell’s book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.” (Maxwell, 2007) It has been my privilege to read many insightful and inspiring books associated with my journey toward the final goal of getting my degree. My desire is that you might hopefully understand my heartfelt appreciation of the use of Maxwell’s book as part of our curriculum. Of all of the textbooks used in all of the classes I have taken this is absolutely the best textbook I have had to work from. I have only read two other books in my life, scripture notwithstanding, that have engrossed me the way that Maxwell’s has. Both of these other books were introduced to me during a time that I was working towards licensure as a Clinical Pastoral Chaplain. One of those books was by James W. Fowler titled, “Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development” (Fowler, 1981). The other book was written by Douglas John Hall and is titled “God & Human Suffering: An Exercise in the Theology of the Cross.” (Hall, 1986) The reason I bring these books up is because I wanted you to understand the bearing this book has had on my life. Thank you for introducing me to John C. Maxwell.

Maxwell highlights the quote at the top page 14 in which he says, “The Only Thing A Title Can Buy Is A Little Time-Either To Increase Your Level Of Influence With Others Or To Undermine It.” When it comes to leadership I do not know that I have ever heard any better explanation, or warning for that matter, than he suggests here. I have been very fortunate in my life to have been around some men and women who I felt were true leaders. Here again on page 15 of Maxwell’s book he quotes Stanley Huffty – “It Is Not the Position

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