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Reviews (46)

Absolute must read
intially the Name "Spin Selling" came across to be as some cheesy and manipulative model being taught by the author.
after reading various books and attending seminars and workshops i was consistently referred to this book.
also i researched some of the high-performance Sales Professionals and most of them had training on SPIN Selling, so
i finally decided to read Rackham's book "SPIN Selling" and
i'm glad i did and yes this book i feel is the Foundation of all the Modern Sales Training out there.

His Training is backed with extensive proof and facts and every single advice is backed by extensive research conducted by huthwaite. very impressed.

"Situation - Problem - Implication and Need-Payoff", these are the four types of Questioning you will learn and the Value and relative importance of each and in what order to be used effectively.

the biggest lesson for me is the Difference of a "Implied Need" compared to "Explicit Need" and how it all boils down to uncovering "Explicit Needs" and to communicate with customers about "Benefits". this book also clears a very common mistake a lot of us do, to look at a product or solution's advantages and convey that as Benefit to customer. As per the author a "Benefit" is one that solves a Customer's "Explicit Need".

don't be discouraged by any review that writes off the book's style of writing to be research oriented, the book is around 190 Pages and it's worth the weight in gold.

A Book For The True Professional
A breath of fresh air. The profession of Sales is plagued with all sorts of nonsense, most of it annecdotal at best. Little actual research has been done to identify good processes for sales professionals and consequently we get idiotic advice ranging from "Always Be Closing" and endless manipulative closing techniques for doing so, to recommendations on how to sell "anything to anybody." Such sales tactics are precisely the reason salespeople have been saddled with negative stereotypes.

SPIN Selling is the result of extensive observation and analysis of sales calls by behavioral researcher Neil Rackham. His findings are both practical and useful, and are well presented in this book. As sellers, we might give some thought to how we would like to be treated as customers - something that should not be a revelation, but is. We should understand the customer's goals and objectives and help them be successful if we want to be successful. Forget your scripted sales pitch, leave your brochures in your briefcase, ask questions and listen to your customers to understand their needs BEFORE presenting your product. Surprisingly, this will actually shorten the selling cycle and will result in better long-term customer relationships. Rackham's concept of an "Advance" as an objective way to measure the progress of a sales call is, alone, worth the price of this book.

As a sales professional with many years' experience, and now as sales training manager for a division of a Fortune 500 company, I highly recommend this book and the methodology Rackham describes. There are other good books for salespeople - but if I could only recommend one, this would be it.

Great methodology
As a sales trainer, I found this book to present a wonderful methodology for both salespeople new to the business as well as seasoned salespeople. The SPIN principle (Situation, Problem, Implication, and Need-payoff) works in almost any sales environment whether you are selling big ticket items to large accounts or volumes of small ticket items.

Overall, I found "SPIN Selling" to be a great book for addressing the strategic and tactical aspects of selling. In addition to this book, I highly recommend the book "Cognitive Selling: Proven Fundamentals and Techniques of the World's Most Effective Salespeople" by Todd Bermont. "Cognitive Selling" is the perfect complement to "SPIN Selling" as it provides a methodology for maintaining a winning attitude and frame-of-mind which is essential to succeed in selling.

Neil Rackham gets it right
SPIN Selling was the first sales book I ever read, back in the days when I sold copiers. Ten years later, as the owner of a sales training company, I still utilize those very principals of questioning Rackham taught me way back when. The key to sales is to have a process, a process within a process. Rackham adheres to this very foundation. This book is guaranteed to make you money!

Todd Natenberg, Author of the book, "I just got a job in sales! Now what?" A Playbook for Skyrocketing Your Commissions (www.toddnatenberg.com) and President of TBN Sales Solutions

Definitly BUY THE BOOK ..Skip the audio
I love SPIN Selling, the book and workbook. Also Major Account Sales Strategy. When I bought the CD I was thinking I could add a tool to my audio library and have more constant exposure to the concepts. But no

This audio was worse than my grade school educational film series. The reader is dull, boring and almost put me to sleep in the car. This is GREAT material. Everyone that is considering any of the books I would heartily give them a 5 of 5 stars.

I fast forwarded through the entire first cd, hoping that I would start hearing the same "meat" I read about in SPIN. What Iheard was a lot of "pre-program" dialog.

If I could speak with Neil Rakham I would say, "Neil, this is an outstanding program. Please get a reader with more emotion". ... Read more

Amazon.com

This grandfather of all people-skills books was first published in 1937. It was an overnight hit, eventually selling 15 million copies. How to Win Friends and Influence People is just as useful today as it was when it was first published, because Dale Carnegie had an understanding of human nature that will never be outdated. Financial success, Carnegie believed, is due 15 percent to professional knowledge and 85 percent to "the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership, and to arouse enthusiasm among people." He teaches these skills through underlying principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated. He also emphasizes fundamental techniques for handling people without making them feel manipulated. Carnegie says you can make someone want to do what you want them to by seeing the situation from the other person's point of view and "arousing in the other person an eager want." You learn how to make people like you, win people over to your way of thinking, and change people without causing offense or arousing resentment. For instance, "let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers," and "talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person." Carnegie illustrates his points with anecdotes of historical figures, leaders of the business world, and everyday folks. --Joan Price ... Read more

Reviews (332)

principles stand the test of time
First published in 1937, this book is the result of 15 years of Dale Carnegie's research in human relations. When learned and applied, these 30 timeless principles will help you become more likable and influential in others' lives.

Millions of copies of this book have sold because the principles are basic and proven. Sure, some of the language is dated. Many of the characters and companies mentioned in these pages are no longer household names. Look beyond those quirks and you will find some of the most memorable and applicable people skills material ever produced.

With simple presentation and vivid examples, Carnegie deftly walks us through Fundamental Techniques in Handling People, Six Ways to Make People Like You, How to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment.

When material is this old and this good, it could sometimes be considered trite and nothing more than common knowledge. Don't fall into that trap. Until its principles become common practice in our lives, this book is just as necessary and effective today as it was more than six decades ago.

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

The very best in self-help books!
What can't I say about this book?! I first read How to Win Friends and Influence People five years ago. I have made it practice to read it at least once a year now in the hopes that some day I may actually assimilate the incredible wealth of material included in the pages. Listen, there are a ton of self-help and motivational books out there, but this one isn't like all the rest: it is the forefather to all of them! I have to be honest when I say that this book has had a profound impact on my life and my way of thinking. It is timeless, priceless, and seems to get better with age. I hold no reservation or hesitation in recommending that you not only put one of these on your shelf, but that you read it over, and over, and over again.

Reviewed by: James L. Clark, MBA, MSc., PhD Candidate (Leadership) is a serial entrepreneur, lecturer, and consultant. He is the author of the book Wading Through the Crap: How to Start Living the Successful Life You Have Always Wanted (ISBN 0972697551) that has received rave review.

10 stars for this one!
When it comes to social skills, this book says it all. No need to look any further than this classic. To learn emotional and mental mastery and making the most of any situation, then Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self is your best choice. To learn how to deal with change, read Who Moved My Cheese. These resources give you all you need to be your best, get along with others and bring out the best from them.

Compelling book on developing social skills
If youwere to buy just 1 book of how to acquire people skills, How To Win Friends and Influence People should be that 1 book. This book is great. Written over 70 years ago, all of the principles still apply. Definitely add this one to your library, but more importantly, use it.

Timeless Advice
His advice is so obvious and so easy, so how come it's so difficult to do yourself and so rarely found in others? Is it cynicism or manipulation? No, it's human nature: Do Unto Others ...

THE FUNDAMENTALS

• "Speak ill of no man and speak all the good you know of everyone."
People react very badly to criticism; don't do it, not to their face nor behind their back ... especially not behind their back.

• Say "Thank You".
Express appreciation. People yearn, yearn to be appreciated.

• Talk about what people want and help them get it.
"Arouse in others an eager want."
Corollary: let others take credit for your ideas; they'll like your ideas a lot more if they believe them to be their own.

WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU

• Be happy to see people.
Greet everyone you meet and show an interest in them. Remember the things that are important to them.

• Smile!

• Remembers peoples' names!!
Remember it, use it when talking to them. A person's name sounds beautiful to them.

• Draw people out.
Encourage them to talk about themselves and their interests.

• Actively research the other person's interests.

• Every person you meet feels themselves superior to you in some way.
Strain to find out what that is and recognize their importance. Talk to people about themselves and they will listen to you for hours.

WIN PEOPLE TO YOUR WAY OF THINKING

• Don't argue!
Give in! Agree that the other person is right; often they are and if they aren't, you'll never convince them of it by arguing.

• Don't ever tell a person they're wrong.
They may be but telling them so is always counterproductive. It is difficult for a person to admit to themselves that they are wrong; harder still to admit it to others.

• If you know you're wrong, admit it.
Openly and freely admit whenever you're wrong. And always leave open the possibility that you're wrong even of you think you aren't.

• Friendliness begets friendliness.
Always begin that way. Don't accuse.

• Never neglect a kindness.
Look for ways to do or say something nice.

• Start out by emphasizing areas of agreement.
When a person has said "no" it's hard to get them to change even if they know they're wrong.

• Let the other person do most of the talking.
Listen patiently and don't interrupt. Let your friends be better than you.

• Let people come to your conclusions.
First, tell me what you expect of me; then tell me what I can expect of you. People will generally live up to the commitments they make to you as long as they came up with them on their own.

• Think always in terms of the other person's point of view.
Where they stand depends on where they sit; figure out where they're sitting.

• ¾ of the people you will ever meet are dying for sympathy.
Give it to them and they will love you.

• A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

• Dramatize your ideas.
"Don't use logic; tell stories." Make your ideas visible, concrete. Bear in mind that people don't know until you show them what you mean.

• Stimulate in others their innate desire to excel (perhaps through a friendly challenge or through competition).

BE A LEADER

• Don't go sailing into difficult interpersonal situations with guns blazing. You'll always get a negative reaction.

• Change "but" into "and".
Be indirect in your criticism. Praise before you condemn.

• Ask questions rather than giving orders.

• Be very careful to help others preserve their dignity.

• People crave recognition: praise the smallest improvement and praise every improvement.

• Treat people as though they had the virtues you wished they possessed.
Give them a reputation to live up to and they will work like crazy to live up to it.

• Praise the good; minimize the bad: encourage.
Make achievement seem possible. Take and encourage little baby steps. Seek out even the most insignificant of successes.

• Napoleon: I could conquer the world if only I had enough ribbon. ... Read more

Book Description

The 2003 International Building Code addresses the design and installation of building systems through requirements that emphasize performance.Fully compatible with all the International Codes, the 2003 edition provides up-to-date, comprehensive coverage that establishes minimum regulations for building systems using prescriptive- and performance-related provisions.Content is founded on broad-based principles that make possible the use of materials and building designs.Structural as well as fire- and life-safety provisions covering seismic, wind, accessibility, egress, occupancy, roofs, and more are included. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

49 states are now adopting this Code
Better learn this code. Local codes are being swept away by one standard. Here is Colorado each town had its own test, amendments and licensing system. California is the only state, having revamped its code 2 years ago, to keep its system.
I finish basements, often for homeowners who think they can do it. From Loveland, I can work any city without irate inspectors wondering why I don't know their specific requirements. Good book. ... Read more

Book Description

Since its original publication in 1981, Getting to Yes has been translated into 18 languages and has sold over 1 million copies in its various editions. This completely revised edition is a universal guide to the art of negotiating personal and professional disputes. It offers a concise strategy for coming to mutually acceptable agreements in every sort of conflict. ... Read more

Reviews (66)

Essential reading
This is the first book I've read on the issue of negotiation. The book is easy to read, and the authors use good, solid examples to illustrate the techniques they are teaching. The end of the book, with it's summary review, really pulls it all together. The writing style is clean, clear, and simple, without being so simplistic as to seem unbelieveable.

The authors try to show readers how to remain objective in negotiations, rather than letting their emotions take control. The speak of being "soft on people and hard on principles", the idea of staying focussed on the problem and not attacking or blaming people. The parts I found most useful are the notions of focussing on interests rather than positions, and finding alternatives that will allow both parties in the negotiation to gain something. The idea of moving away from positions to finding the common ground of shared interests is one that is particularly useful in that it can be applied to any situation, be it a parent/child conflict, a work situation, or any negotiation. This concept shows readers how to focus on their long term goals rather than on being "right" and winning in the short term.

I have used the techniques in this book to great success many times, in a variety of areas in my life. They are easy to use, and they work! I highly reccommend this classic text to everyone.

This book is the foundation for successful negotiations
I read this book in an MBA course for Dispute Mediation. Although it was not a required reading, every text and article mentioned this book. You can easily read it in a weekend. Do not expect theory, paradigm, or lofty descriptions-this is cut to the chase stuff that lets you know many techniques for negotiating and helping the other side make a decision that is right for all involved. Some helpful key concepts include elimintating emotions from the process, or dealing with the emotional techniques that the other side may use against you. It also describes BATNA, or the best alternatives to a negotiated agreement-those agreements which may be the most realistic and beneficial terms for both sides. I think that the other book, getting past no, by the same author, is an additional reference that anyone considerring this book should also read as an excellent complementary text to the principles outlined in this classic.

Don't take it personally!
I must confess I ordered and read this book because my new boss recommended it. Well, now that we have unpacked all the boxes from our move to take this job - I find we have about 5 copies of this book. This book is GREAT! This is not a new book but has been read by millions of people and is now a classic. The first edition came out in 1981 and the second edition 10 years later. The newest edition benefits from many updates and has an additional chapter (#10) with common questions (and answers) that people have commonly asked about Getting to Yes. This new chapter really helps the reader to understand the method better - in fact I can't imagine the book without it. One of the best things that authors Fisher, Ury and Patton do in this popular book do is give the reader a practical framework for developing better relationships that lead to better outcomes in life and work. The ideas are helpful in getting along with family as well as in the workplace. In many cases their methods will sound like things you already knew and have practiced in some of the more successful moments in your life. However, the book puts it all in perspective and gives you the complete picture to know why it works better when you focus on helping the other person get what they want so you can, too. After reading Getting to Yes you will be more prepared to negotiate more effectively in every type of situation. This book helped me decide I like the new boss, too!

Don't buy from audible
Don't buy the audio version from audible.com .

Their programming skills are terrible. I could not download some of the books I bought, could not burn into cd the ones I could download, and forget about making it work with an mp3 player, unless you're lucky.

I know about 5 people who bought stuff from there and only one had the luck of downloading a working file and burning it successfully to a cd.

The quality of the narrations is awful, at least in the books I managed to hear (only on windows media player, nothing else worked). If you're used to books on cd or tape, you're up for a big disappointment buying from audible.

On top of all that, they have the worst customer service I have ever witnessed. The site was not working right when I tried to purchase there for the first time. I sent them a message with no answer.

In a second attempt, I bought the stuff and some files never downloaded (which means they just stole my money and I don't know what I can do since I don't live in USA). I sent another message with no answer again.

Then their weird program, which turns Windows Media Player automatically on instead of working alone, showed no compatibility to Itunes and no possibility of burning cds or dreaming about hearing books on Ipod. I sent them a third message and nothing. A fourth and guess what? Nothing again.

So I am at least trying to warn other people here to avoid being caught by such scheme. I hope Amazon gets rid of audible as soon as possible. I always got great service from Amazon and the affiliated bookstores, or even other stores selling electronics, health products and others, but audible is just the worst company I ever wasted my money with. Too bad we cannot give notes to them like with the affiliated booksellers.

Sorry by the poor text, I am just mad with them.

Packed with Knowledge!
Authors Roger Fisher, William L. Ury and Bruce M. Patton offer a seminal step-by-step guide to negotiating effectively. The authors use anecdotal examples to illustrate both positive and negative negotiating techniques. They believe that, with principled negotiation, both parties can reach an agreement in an amicable and efficient manner. Principled negotiation is based on the belief that when each side comes to understand the interests of the other, they can jointly create options that are mutually advantageous, resulting in a wise settlement. Since this is the second edition, the authors take the opportunity to answer ten common questions from readers of the first edition. If you become skeptical about these fairly rosy negotiation techniques as you read, the Q and A section is very useful. This classic text is easy to understand and you can implement its techniques immediately. We can't ask for more than that. ... Read more

Book Description

This acclaimed, number one market-leading book embraces the basic theme of “different costs for different purposes.”It reaches beyond cost accounting procedures to consider concepts, analyses, and management. Chapter topics cover: the accountant's role in the organization; an introduction to cost terms and purposes; cost-volume-profit analysis; job costing; activity-based costing and activity-based management; master budget and responsibility accounting; flexible budgets, variances, and management control; inventory costing and capacity analysis; determining how costs behave; decision making and relevant information; pricing decisions and cost management; strategy, balanced scorecard, and strategic profitability analysis; cost allocation, customer-profitability analysis, and sales-variance analysis; allocation of support department costs, common costs and revenues; cost allocation: joint products and byproducts; process costing; spoilage, rework, and scrap; quality, time, and the theory of constraints; inventory management, just-in-time, and backflush costing; capital budgeting and cost analysis; management control systems, transfer pricing, and multinational considerations; andperformance measurement, compensation, and multinational considerations. For future accountant who want to enhance their understanding of—and ability to—solve cost accounting problems.

Reviews (5)

Cost Accounting by Horngren
A strength of this book is that there are many color diagrams
throughout which illustrate/highlight the material. The treatment
of process cost accounting is thorough and highly simplified
with many detailed examples to illustrate the computation of
equivalent units. In process cost accounting, it is critical
to understand the physical flow of costs, as well as,
interdepartmental transfers and modified cost assumptions.
In addition, there is a thorough treatment of managerial
cost accounting in the areas of discounted cash flow, internal
rate of return, compounding, depreciation and cash flow,
net present value, uncertainty, inflation, capital budgeting,
payback and the accounting rate of return. Lastly, there is
a good treatment of decentralization and transfer pricing.
The book is worth the price of admission. Classic problems
from this text have been replicated on some form or another
on professional and collegiate standardized tests.
This work helps to support what is taught in a collegiate
finance course, as well as the cost accounting element.

The thrust of a cost accounting course is for the B or better
student. There is a fair amount of work in this course.
As such, it is geared for accounting, finance or economics
majors. Quantitatively oriented students will enjoy the presentation as well as a wide constituency of teachers
in academe. Even college administrators would find this
text useful for preparing budget schedules and interdepartmental
cost analyses. Engineering companies would
benefit by having a detailed analyses of process costing and
managerial accounting on individual construction jobs.

thank you
the book was in excellent condition. I received it a couple of days after I ordered it. Thank you for saving me money and time!!!

Good Job!
I received the book very quickly and I got it new at a great price. I saved about 50 dollars. Wow!!! I will buy from this seller again if they have what I need.

Most Prompt Delivery
This was the fastest service I have received regarding a textbook. It was worth the effort to get the ISBN number ahead of time from the instuctor's to buy my books and save money. Thank you for the expedited service. I will patron again. I only wish this were a hardcover to withstand the abuse of a backpack.

i wouldn't recommend it to anyone at all
i've never seen such a poor book before. it is poor organized. and i got after 25 days from my order date. ... Read more

Book Description

A step-by-step program for making big plans that create big money in real estate

With a little help from Gary Keller, anyone can achieve financial independence. In The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, Keller shows you how, with the right plan and persistent effort over time, you can amass fabulous wealth in one of the strongest and safest investment vehicles around--real estate. The plan begins by establishing a state of mind that becomes a different way of looking at the world and evolves into an exciting way of life.

Through inspiration and solid instruction, Keller helps you develop a thorough knowledge of the best models for investing, along with a fundamental understanding of money, how it can be made and how it can be lost. Then, he shows you how to design an investment business that lets you get out of the day-to-day work and enjoy the freedom and benefits of what you have created.

Thoroughly researched with interviews and insights from more than 100 millionaire real estate investors who have struck it rich through Keller's concepts and practices, this book shows you how to:

• Think Like a Million: Develop the mind-set and financial strategies of a millionaire investor
• Buy a Million: Amass a real estate portfolio with a market value of a million dollars or more
• Own a Million: Turn investments into an asset-based business with ever-increasing net worth
• Receive a Million: Build an investment empire that provides a million dollars a year in passive income

Book Description

This text continues to dominate the field of International Marketing.Its long standing tradition as the market leader is strengthened in this edition with an increase in coverage of technology¿s impact on the international market arena and a more comprehensive website, helping to provide updates to text content in this continually changing field. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Best Overall International Marketing Text
I am a Professor of International Marketing and have used this book and the previous editions for 10 semesters. Compared to the competition, this book is definitely the best in the field. It is well written and researched and gives the reader a solid foundation in the major topics of IM. The instructor support materials are excellent and I highly recommend them, particularly the video series. If you are a new professor teaching IM for the first time, the instructor's manual, powerpoint slides, test bank, and videos are a godsend! The Country Notebook described in the book is a great semester-long team project and really reinforces the content of each chapter. I will continue to use this book for a long time!

Lots of information, but poorly written
I'm a senior in college, and I have read many textbooks by many authors. Through all that studying, only a handful of books have ever stood out in my mind as "exceptionally good" or "exceptionally bad" for whatever reason.

Well, I am sorry to say that this book more than any other has stood out as "exceptionally bad" because of 1) its horrendous, awkward phraseology, and 2) its unnecessarily lengthy explanations of most concepts. Because of these shortcomings, it routinely took me much too long to read even a few pages, and when I was finally finished, I disappointedly discovered that I hadn't even learned that much about international marketing. It's like reading an essay from a student who is just trying to fill up space or impress his professor with length, while compounding his error with poor style.

On the other hand, there is a lot of good information in the text, for which it received a star. There are several charts, black and white pictures, and some supplementary material as well.

a good coverage, but...
I used his book as an MBA student 15 or so years ago. Now as an adjunct professor, I am using this newest edition in my undergraduate classes. Although my observation may be biased, the book is a bit too encyclopedic, a bit superficial in coverage, and fails to excite the students. I wish it were more up-to-date.

A decent book, but its coverage is traditional and US-biased
Newer editions don't seem to have capture current trends and perspectives well.

Very Good Comprehensive Textbook
This is a comprehensive college text on the subject of international marketing. It is excellent in that it covers all relevant subject areas in some depth. The text also offers guidelines for student development of a "country notebook" international marketing project. There are also quite a few provocative and relevant cases. The only negatives are that the writing is a bit over the heads of most undergraduates, and the country notebook lends itself toward development of a multidomestic plan rather than a global plan. I use the text to teach international marketing. I have found no other book on the subject that offers an acceptable combination of project, cases, and material to be learned in a single source. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Effectively managing personnel--as well as one's own behavior--is an extraordinarily complex task that, not surprisingly, has been the subject of countless books touting what each claims is the true path to success. That said, Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton's Now, Discover Your Strengths does indeed propose a unique approach: focusing on enhancing people's strengths rather than eliminating their weaknesses. Following up on the coauthors' popular previous book, First, Break All the Rules, it fully describes 34 positive personality themes the two have formulated (such as Achiever, Developer, Learner, and Maximizer) and explains how to build a "strengths-based organization" by capitalizing on the fact that such traits are already present among those within it.

Most original and potentially most revealing, however, is a Web-based interactive component that allows readers to complete a questionnaire developed by the Gallup Organization and instantly discover their own top-five inborn talents. This device provides a personalized window into the authors' management philosophy which, coupled with subsequent advice, places their suggestions into the kind of practical context that's missing from most similar tomes. "You can't lead a strengths revolution if you don't know how to find, name and develop your own," write Buckingham and Clifton. Their book encourages such introspection while providing knowledgeable guidance for applying its lessons. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (126)

Mentoring, not hand-holding
I've read quite a few of these kinds of books starting way back when with "What Color is Your Parachute," through "The Acorn Principle" and "Please Understand Me." This has been a long-term process of discovering my interests, talents, abilities, skills, knowledge, preferences, and potential - always with the intention of finding my true calling in life.

But this book is not just another addition to that list; this is a superior method for focusing in on very specific talents and strengths and clarifying your own thinking about your life choices. The assessment and categories of strengths are more straightforward than taking the Meyers-Briggs or other similar tests. The book confirms some of what I already knew, but completely clarified the concept of natural talent combined with skills and knowledge creating the strengths that one can use throughout their life.

People have complained in other reviews that some of the book is "fluff" or that it doesn't tell you what job to go get. This is only true for people who want one 250-page book to answer some of the greatest of life's questions. I greatly appreciate that the authors give simple, straightforward examples and their own theories quickly and pointedly. They leave it up to ME to make decisions based on that information.

If you are prepared to do the work over the course of time and use this book as a mentor (not a nanny who tells you what to do) you will gain great insight into yourself and your path.

Management, Not Psychology
As a manager, perhaps one of our greatest challenges is juggling the uniqueness of our employees. It's not our job to fix them, rather it's our job to facilitate their success.

I agree with what "First, Break All the Rules" said, in that, we should seek to build the strengths of our employees rather than fix their weaknesses. But, I walked away from that book saying "ok, that was great, but how do you determine a strength or talent?"

"Now, Discover your Strengths" gives practical insights on the strengths and inate talents of people. I was impressed by this and also by the real life examples of people displaying the stregth being discussed. The disheartening thing about the test is that it only gives your top 5 strengths when it's likely that 8-10 strenths are outwardly shown (in my opinion).

Unlike other readers, I DID NOT see this and the online test as meant to be a "personality" test. Quite the contrary. I believe it accurately measures what it says it does: STRENGTHS.

I'm looking forward to applying this information to the organizations I work with.

Since my question after reading the first book (how do you determine someone's strenghts?) was answered with "Now Discover your Strenthgs", I'm guessing that if there is a third book, it will discuss what to do with your strengths now that they're discovered.

beware of used copies
An integral part of this book is the online profile. Each copy of this book comes with a unique PIN number inside the book jacket. If you buy a used copy, the PIN number may be already used, and thus will not allow you to use the online profile. However, the book is still interesting if you enjoy reading through the signature themes and guessing what your profile would have uncovered. It is also fun to read each theme and think of people you know who come to mind, and consider ways in which you can support their strengths.

I would give this book 5 stars if an unlimited number of people could use the online profile with each book purchase.

A motivating speaker
I saw Marcus Buckingham speak at the SHRM Conference last week in New Orleans and it was an excellent complement to the book. Very motivating and enlightening as is the book. I also purchased the Emotional Intelligence Quickbook which I saw recommended on this page and that title is excellent as well.

Take these lessons beyond the work place
Excellent read, Clifton gives clarity and tools for success. I enjoyed the online inner strength tests very much and found it fascinating. While Clifton gives us the the key to unlocking our abilities and the confidence to pursue the path, it is up to us to take the journey.
I have taken this book and its philosophies into my personal life as well, filling everyday.
Everyone has different things that can free them further.

I started singing because I had always secretly found that to be exhilerating. I bought singing lessons on CD off of Amazon,
"Voice lessons To Go" by Vaccarino- fantastic!

I also purchased and carefully followed the "New Sex Now" video by Arte with my husband- it was mind blowing for us.

Just those two examples show how much I have removed my own personal fear in life. The kind that held me back and locked my strengths in. You know the strength is there in any crisis, why not manifest them into your eveyday? How powerful is that? ... Read more

Amazon.com

John C. Maxwell offers lively stories about the foibles and successes of Lee Iacocca, Abraham Lincoln, Princess Diana, andElizabeth Dole in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Readerscan expect a well-crafted discussion that emphasizes the core attitudesand visions of leadership. Maxwell uses the same tell-it-like-it-isapproach that he honed in the bestselling Developing the Leader Within You. For instance, when explaining "The Law of Influence," Maxwell states that "job titles don't have much valuewhen it comes to leading. True leadership cannot be awarded, appointedor assigned. It comes only from influence and that can't be mandated."Even after Princess Diana was stripped of her title, Maxwell says shewas still able to lead a global effort toward banning land minesbecause of her sophisticated ability to influence others.

If readersare looking for a step-by-step formula, Maxwell's list of "laws" willprobably seem too chatty and anecdote driven. There are no specifictips on what readers can do during the next workday to help them becomestronger leaders. On the other hand, Maxwell's background as a pastorgives him an inspirational voice and a spiritual context to leadershipthat many business and church leaders appreciate. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (138)

Good beginning
I liked the book, but like others I was looking for more application than theory. If you can get past Maxwell's logic on how the examples explain EVERYTHING and determine how to apply the laws to your own situation you will do well to read the book. One reason his book doesn't explain how to apply the laws is because he has published numerous video tapes, audio tapes, and other books that you can buy which do explain how to apply them. In the video series on this book each of the "21 Laws" has references listed (which are published by Maxwell, imagine that)which cost hundreds of dollars. If you bought all of them they would cost almost $3000! He has a good system but it is very expensive. THe book is not meant to teach you everything, it is only a beginning. Learning leadership takes a lot of time and money if you are going to learn it from Maxwell.

If he put everything into one book it would be a VERY BIG BOOK and Maxwell wouldn't make as much money as he does from the complete series......

This book offers a background for successful leadership.
John Maxwell's hard cover is available on audio cassette. It was a pleasure to listen to it in the car on my way to work. It is filled with bits of wisdom I found very valuable to have in my thinking. The narrator has a steady, pleasant voice. He explains each of the Laws clearly and understandably one at a time, thus allowing the listener to pause at each new law to reflect.

There are many references to founders of popular businesses. I could relate to his success stories of well known companies like McDonald's or Apple Computer.

Maxwell is himself a minister of a church which he built successfully using the laws he describes. Because he is a minister, he has the ability to communicate in layman's terms. The story like manner in which the book is written allows for stress-free listening and easy learning.

I would recommend this book as an excellent supplement to any class in leadership skills or mentoring. It gives the reader a broad base to rely on when dealing with the long range goals.

The reality of leading in business
This is an excellent book of legendary leaders and management. We gain the opportunity to see the "big picture", and learn from the successes and failures of others. If you believe that we should always be surrounding ourselves with more wise and experienced people, then this book will make sense to you. I will reiterate that this is not a step-by-step, tips, tricks, or get rich tomorrow book. Whether, you are an entrepreneur or climbing the corporate ladder, this book will help with your vision and relationships in business.

On The Soap Box
Zig Ziglar has some good ideas, but the overall advice in this book doesn't offer clear tips to improve leadership skills in the short term. With elections drawing near, it reminds me of a dry, rambling political platform. Check out Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life, it has practical every day advice on how to be the leader of your own life.

The most concise and applicable book on leadership
This book is the best book on leadership i've ever read. It seems to me that the negative reviewers of this book misunderstood this book. The book is not meant to go step by step through all 21 laws. The book is meant to tell you what the laws are of leadership, it's ur responsibility to find out how you can use these laws in your life. Honestly the laws are practical and simple and they can be implemented as soon as u understand them just by the way u speak , how much u read, how many seminars you attend and audio training material you listen to. All those things will help increase your lid of leadership but that won't happen until you know what u need to work on and this book pinpoints what a true leader is and does in the world as we know it. ... Read more

Book Description

Updated to include new communication technology and its unique issues

For more than 50 years, The Gregg Reference Manual has been recognized as the best style manual for business professionals and students. The basic rules that apply to the most frequent problems are covered as thoroughly as the fine points of the problems that occur less often. The colorful examples and illustrations offer easy-to-follow models to help resolve the difficulties encountered in everyday communications from e-mail messages to formal reports. New features include:

• Up-to-date coverage on dealing with online source material and precautions to observe when citing electronic material
• New searchable index: the website accompanying the book allows the reader immediate access to definitions and information on specific topics
• Updated e-mail rules and expanded plagiarism coverage to meet the needs of changing technology

Reviews (2)

Best guide I've ever seen.
The Gregg Reference Manual has impressed me. I have never seen such a comprehensive manual on the english language and its usage today. I have only owned it for a couple of days, but I know that it will help me immensely as I move into college (even if it was meant for business men).

Simply the best!
The Gregg Reference Manual is the single most useful grammar, usage, and style reference available for business professionals. I have been using it for years as my primary reference tool. The manual is very comprehensive, and the well-organized index makes things easy to find. It is updated frequently to incorporate current technology, which makes it invaluable in today's continually changing environment. The 10th edition was just released, so it is the most up-to-date book of its type around. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A well-done text w/ plenty of support
I'll make two separate sets of comments - one for professors and one for students.

Students first... There is a well-done website that accompanies the book, which includes outlines, sample tests & quizzes, and related study materials. The text is about average in terms of readability in comparison to other texts on the subject, and there are plenty of real-world examples to illustrate OM concepts (OM texts, as a general rule, don't read well). You may be able to get by with a previous edition if the textbook contents are your priority, but be advised, however, that the seventh edition contains some new and revised material, a few chapters have been re-arranged, and there are some different end-of-chapter exercises and cases.

For professors... You are probably already aware that OM can be challenging for the professor as well as the student, esp. with respect to where to aim the course - to the managers and generalists, or to the technicians & quantitatively-oriented. Heizer and Render have enough material to support either approach. The text is accompanied with ample instructor resources, including a CD and a website with slideshows, notes, outlines, and various other pedagogical tools. The testbank is easy to use, but should be supplemented with some quantitative short problems (if a quantitative approach is important to you).
Heizer and Render have also done a fair job of keeping the material up-to-date, which has resulted, after seven editions, in a pretty decent product. For me, the instructor resources and the comprehensiveness of the content (adequate support for either a managerial or quantitative approach) make Heizer and Render a good choice by comparison to other OM texts. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The advice and concepts outlined in Automatic Wealth are best suited for those in their 30s-50s who recognize that their current job will never afford them true financial independence. Rather than encourage readers to quit their day jobs today and launch into a new scheme tomorrow, Masterson shows how to turn your skills and experience into significantly more money within seven to fifteen years. For those just getting by, he details how to get the biggest pay raises now and how to move into more lucrative ventures in the near future. For those with some savings, he offers specific advice on building equity and increasing net worth significantly and quickly. Since Masterson made his millions starting and developing small businesses, he encourages people to become entrepreneurs themselves and discusses which kinds of ventures to invest in and which ones to avoid. He also stresses the importance of developing multiple income streams, offering chapters on real estate, stocks and bonds, consulting, direct mail, and other opportunities.

In addition to concrete steps, Masterson also writes about attitude and expectations. His first step, in fact, is to take an honest and realistic assessment of your current financial situation and prepare yourself to change habits. He stresses that you must make getting rich a priority and devote the necessary time to it--act immediately and don't wait until the perfect moment to change your situation (hint: the perfect moment rarely arrives.). Clearly written and filled with informative anecdotes and examples, Automatic Wealth will not make you a millionaire overnight. It could, however, make you one in a decade, and that's a timeline most people can deal with. --Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (23)

I wish I had read this in high school
I think there are two very realistic points made in this book where most financial planning books go into fantasy-land. First, you have to earn over $100,000 a year or your savings will never add up to anything meaningful in your lifetime (compound interest doesn't kick-in big until after 40 years). Next, the difference between the rich and everyone else is customers. If you don't have customers of some kind, it is unlikely that you'll retire early with $2 million in the bank earning interest.

Unlike most money books, Michael details how to move forward on most fronts. But he seems to spend too many pages on a few subjects that he doesn't seem to know a lot about (like stock investing).

Overall, it is worth recommending.

A GREAT BOOK FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO SUCCEED
Remember learning this phrase in school? "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." Of course you do. Benjamin Franklin lived by this mantra, and so does Michael Masterson.

I've been an avid reader of the author's daily ETR newsletter, and I can tell you, he's one of the most persuasive writers I've ever read. I certainly would never have picked up a book with a title like this, but I bought it because I've learned to trust Masterson's judgment. Day after day, his words make sense and move readers to action.

His book is extremely helpful for women, especially mothers who step out of the work force to focus on raising their families a few years. Masterson believes it's not years and years of so-so experience that make a person successful; it's acquiring a needed set of skills, learning to excel in those skills, and having integrity.

Ladies, this is a book you can carry around in your purse and read anytime you have a minute. It's filled with powerful stories that energize you and show you that success comes to those who don't give up. Masterson's not afraid to share his failures and what he learned from them, and we can all glean from his "Ready, Fire, Aim" experiences.

Here's a list of THE TOP TEN THINGS YOU WON'T HEAR MICHAEL MASTERSON SAY:

1. The main characteristic of successful people is that they enjoy sleeping in late.
2. Watching a few hours of TV every night is a great way to spend your time (year after year after year...).
3. If you don't like your present job or income, stick it out andspend the rest of your time entertaining yourself.
4. Complaining is the best way to get what you want.
5. The quickest way to become successful is to close yourself off from the world and work alone.
6. It's best to surround yourself with people who are pessimists.
7. If you're not financially independent by the time you're 40, it's too late. You'll never make it.
8. Don't bother saying thank you to people who help you. They're too busy to notice anyway.
9. When you make new friends, it's okay to let go of your old ones.
10. Busy, successful people don't have time to read fiction or exercise.

All this to say, thanks for taking the time to write this book, Mr. Masterson. The wisest man who ever lived had this to say, "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper" (Proverbs 13:4 NLT). I'm sure you're there with him.

Simple Advice You Can USE...from wealthy "Uncle Michael"
Are you SICK of reading financial advice books written with so much analysis, jargon, and formal posturing...you can't figure out what the heck you're actually supposed to DO?Me, too!

That's why I LOVED this book. It's like your super-wealthy Uncle sits down and tells you how he made his fortune...and how you can make yours, too.Simple, practical, straight-from-the-shoulder advice you can USE, no matter where you are in life right now.

Quite simply, the best, most practical, easiest-to-understand book of financial advice I've ever read.Do yourself a favor and buy it now!

Solid Advice on Building Wealth
Masterson, a self-made millionaire, puts forth a logical approach for building wealth.He believes that a person, who is willing to put in the effort and time, can amass wealth in a period of 7 to 15 years.I think that timing is a bit optimistic, but even if it takes 20 to 25 years, the end result is still the same - financial independence, more freedom and tranquility. Masterson believes one's primary goal is to accumulate enough capital to generate passive income to pay for life's necessities.

This 271-page book is divided into only six detailed chapters.Each one explains one of the six steps to achieving wealth, which are:
1. Face the facts - you won't get rich saving 10% or more in your pension plan or getting measly salary increases.
2. Plan to become wealthy - This is occurs one step at a time and requires planning.
3. Develop specific wealthy habits - work hard, good a what they do, are extraordinary savers, pay themselves first
4. Radically increase your income - to the tune of 25% to 150%
5. Get rich while you sleep - by receiving passive income
6. Retire early - to live the lifestyle you want

Masterson provides specific examples of each of his six steps, as well as personal experiences and appropriate stories.It all seems very real and makes a lot of sense. He mentions that an individual has to make getting rich a priority and be willing to focus his/her energies on building wealth.He also covers the need to have a detailed short-term and long-term written action plan with specific goals.

The author suggests that everyone choose specific lifetime goals; calculate their retirement income needs based upon an analysis of assets and liabilities, and lifestyle requirements.He then recommends that individuals prepare wealth building goals, health goals, personal relationship goals, and personal growth and development goals. These goals should be set for daily, weekly, and monthly timeframes.He is a strong believer in time management and suggests managing time in 15-minute increments so that multiple goals can be worked on during the day.

Masterson believes that real estate can provide significant income and spends time covering how to invest in real estate and what the income should look like.Although he does mention investing in the stock market, he only invests 2% of his money in it. He is reluctant to plunk down a chunk of his money in stocks because they are too risky for him.Obviously, looking back the stock market's devastation during 2000-2002 and the real estate market's appreciation during that time period, his advice seems right on the mark.

He feels the stock market is a very difficult place to make money, and that investors should tread lightly there. For those who invest, he strongly urges them to cut losses at a specific level (25% for him), and use stop loss orders and trailing stops to protect profits.He does not recommend investing in the market unless you have at least $100,000 to invest.

He is a strong believer in investing a sizable portion of income in side businesses and local real estate to build wealth over time. He prefers investing in income generating real estate, buying rental properties, and buying fixed income investments - holding bonds to maturity to avoid any principal losses due to rising interest rates.

Overall, Masterson does a masterful job of explaining the steps necessary to accrue wealth and enjoy life.For those who believe that investing in the stock market is a critical element in the process, as I do, I recommend a newly published book by Paul Merriman titled "Live it Up without Outliving Your Money" which provides a conservative way to build a highly diversified portfolio that has outperformed the market with less risk.

Presents a good way one could get wealthy
I found this book slightly disappointing, having read so many 5 star raving reviews of it.It is a worthwhile read, for sure.To me, the book was more of a "how I succeeded" book than I was expecting.He is very specific in recommending those things that have done well for him.He offers many strategies for making more money doing specific types of (high paying) jobs, investing in real estate, and starting or financing small businesses. There is good advice in there, and I think it is worth reading for that, since Mr. Masterson is very successful, and whose example to follow but someone successful?

The book's pitfalls to me center around specific investing advice.For instance, he recommends not investing much in the stock market because of its volatility, and talks about how much he likes investing in bonds, since if you hold them to completion you know what you are getting.This is true, but does not consider the effects of inflation, which makes that steady income worth less (whereas stock valuations and dividends tend to keep up with inflation).This is a perfect example where you have to realize he is telling you what has worked for him, but may not be the best advice for many (although I agree with him the stock market is currently overvalued).He also seems to contradict himself when he uses the stock market's historical average of 10% returns to claim you need a net worth of 10 times your living expenses to retire (or 12 times if you're more conservative).In one breath he is poo-pooing the stock market as an investment, then using its average returns in his retirement calculations.

I also wish he didn't refer to real estate investing as "flipping" real estate.All the advice he gives about real estate is sound, explaining rents need to be able to cover your mortgage payments, and that today we're in a housing bubble (here in San Diego it's a bubble bath!).Then later he estimates an average ROI of 25% from real estate investing.Again, after inflation is taken into account, I doubt this to be an accurate figure (even taking into account the leverage involved) in today's already-too-pricey environment.Personally, I believe there will be many people losing a lot of money (read: bankruptcy) in real estate over the next five years.I kind of wish Mr. Masterson hadn't used the term "flipping" houses, as I expect it to be a term that in five years will be looked back on with regret and disbelief, just like "day-trading" is today five years after the Nasdaq crash.

I've spent a lot of time here explaining my negative comments.I do think he has presented a good way one could get wealthy - one that has been proven, which is even better.So I would say read intently his wealth building strategies, but double-check the math on your own.
... Read more

Book Description

Whether challenged with taking on a startup, turning a business around, or inheriting a high-performing unit, a new leader's success or failure is determined within the first 90 days on the job.

In this hands-on guide, Michael Watkins, a noted expert on leadership transitions, offers proven strategies for moving successfully into a new role at any point in one's career. The First 90 Days provides a framework for transition acceleration that will help leaders diagnose their situations, craft winning transition strategies, and take charge quickly.

Practical examples illustrate how to learn about new organizations, build teams, create coalitions, secure early wins, and lay the foundation for longer-term success. In addition, Watkins provides strategies for avoiding the most common pitfalls new leaders encounter, and shows how individuals can protect themselves-emotionally as well as professionally-during what is often an intense and vulnerable period.

Concise and actionable, this is the survival guide no new leader should be without.

"Few companies develop a systematic 'on-boarding' process for their new leaders, even though this is a critical function with major organizational implications. Michael Watkins's The First 90 Days provides a powerful framework and strategies that will enable new leaders to take charge quickly. It is an invaluable tool for that most vulnerable time-the transition."

-Goli Darabi, Senior Vice President, Corporate Leadership & Succession Management, Fidelity Investments

"Every job-private- or public-sector, civilian or military-has its breakeven point, and everyone can accelerate their learning. Read this book at least twice: once before your next transition-before getting caught up in the whirl and blur of new faces, names, acronyms, and issues; then read it again after you've settled in, and consider how to accelerate transitions for your next new boss and for those who come to work for you."

-Colonel Eli Alford, U.S. Army

"Watkins provides an excellent road map, telling us what all new leaders need to know and do to accelerate their learning and success in a new role.The First 90 Days should be incorporated into every company's leadership development strategy, so that anyone making a transition in an organization can get up to speed quicker and smarter."

-Suzanne M. Danielle, Director of Global Leadership Development, Aventis

"Michael Watkins has nailed a huge corporate problem and provided the solution in one fell swoop. The pressure on new leaders to hit the ground running has never been greater, and the likelihood and cost of failure is escalating. Watkins's timing with The First 90 Days is impeccable."

-Gordon Curtis, Principal, Curtis Consulting "The First 90 Days is a must-read for entrepreneurs. Anyone who's been the CEO of a start-up or early-stage company knows that you go through many 90-day leadership transitions in the course of a company's formative years. In this groundbreaking book, Michael Watkins provides crucial insights, as well as a toolkit of techniques, to enable you to accelerate through these transitions successfully."

-Mike Kinkead, President and CEO, timeBLASTER Corporation, serial entrepreneur, and Cofounder and Trustee, Massachusetts Software Council ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Good advice, wish I'd read it sooner
I bought this book in anticpation of a move that never happened. That said, it was remarkably useful even in my current position. It helped me frame many of my career experiences in a larger context, and when I do make a move in the future, I will be prepared for it.

I even bought it for a friend as a "happy new job" gift. She loved it, too.

His earlier stuff is good too
I work for a leading health care company and went through one of Watkins's transition forum programs here. If really helped me get off to a running start. We also got his negotiation book, Breakthrough Business Negotiation, which also was very helpful. I've since also read his book on influencing government and business strategy, Winning the Influence Game. Definitely helpful if you are dealing with issues of regulation and reimbursement as we are. It's nice to see him getting recognition for the First 90 days, but his earlier stuff is just as good, if negotiation or influence are important to what you do.

Watkins' negotiation book is great too.
I bought The First 90 Days when I was heading into a new VP Sales position. It was a huge help just like the other reviews say. Then I got his Breakthrough Business Negotiation book and it was great too. I bought copies for all my regional and district sales managers. It's the best thing for tough negotiations I've read.

just what I needed
I was on day 6 of a new CEO job and everything was falling apart -- I encountered serious resistance to even minor changes that obviously needed to be made. Reading this book, I realized I had walked into a problem where management saw the company was in need of a turnaround, but the employees had no idea and saw their company as a steady success story.

Every bit of this book is gold. From how to approach change implementation based on situation, to managing upwards, to making the mental switch to your new position, it's all been helpful.

Many great ideas to think about!
There are many original great ideas presented in this book which stand alone on their own merit. But perhaps the biggest idea of the book is for companies to view a job transition as any other business process- and subsequently look to optimize it. There are so many transitions in most companies in any given year, that having a process that makes more transitions successful and the new employees effective sooner should noticeably improve the bottom line. Most importantly, this book makes you think!

Also noteworthy in this book is its straightforward organization- the book lays out 10 areas to consider during a transition, then dedicates a chapter to each, and concludes with a brief summary. The book also reads well, and has examples to clarify the 10 areas. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Why do some people consistently inspire others to follow their lead? According to John C. Maxwell, author of 24 books and a regular speaker on the topic, it's the "character qualities" they possess. In The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, Maxwell identifies these top traits as character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, positive attitude, problem-solving, relationships, responsibility, security, self-discipline, servanthood, teachability, and vision--and then defines them in ways that readers can absorb and utilize. Each is covered in a separate chapter opening with a high-concept definition and continuing with relevant anecdotes, details on its meaning, suggestions for further reflection, and exercises for improvement. For example, in the section on vision ("You can seize only what you can see"), Maxwell describes how Walt Disney initially developed the theme-park concept after accompanying his daughters to a fun-filled but rather shabby amusement park. He then analyzes how Disney's resultant projects drew on his personal history while meeting other's needs, and explains how readers must "listen to several voices" to develop successful foresight in a similar way. Finally, Maxwell suggests methods to articulate these visions and measure their implementation. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (45)

leadership simplified
Written to complement The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, this book will help you identify and develop the personal qualities you need to become a more effective leader.

Maxwell does an excellent job of getting to the heart of each quality in a few short pages. He starts with two relevant quotations to start you thinking. He then gives you a short real-life example of that particular quality in action.

He breaks each principle down into specific applications, gives you a brief period where you can assess your own effectiveness, offers you concrete ways to improve yourself, and wraps each chapter up with a profound thought that will stay with you long after you have closed the cover.

What you get out of this book depends on how you read it. This is a very simple read, and you may be tempted to race through it and miss some key points. Maxwell rightly suggests that you walk through each quality methodically, giving it the attention that it warrants based on your current level of competence.

While the material warrants five stars, some spelling mistakes and the author's use of his own quotes dropped it down a notch for me. Otherwise, an excellent handbook for improving your personal leadership qualities.

Larry Hehn, Author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

MAXWELL HAS A WINNING COMBINATION!
Of all the books available on leadership, I have found this to be one of the best, and leadership is part of what I teach through my business management courses. This is by no means one of the lengthiest books or most in-depth books, but it says more in 157 pages than others say in 400 pages. The easy-flowing writing style creates an enjoyable reading experience which does not take an extensive amount of thought or time to comprehend. The end result is an accomplished, basic book served in a professional style.

The author uses these twenty-one qualities for the basis of successful leadership: character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, attitude, problem-solving, relationship, responsibility, security, self-discipline, servanthood, teachability and vision. What a sensational, winning combination! Each of these twenty-one components is discussed separately. While all of these elements are critical for strong leadership, if I had to narrow the scope down to five areas of particular benefit, it would be the ones on character, competence, listening, generosity and self-discipline. I particularly liked Maxwell's straight-forward approach and positive attitude exhibited throughout the book. One other book that rated at the top of my list, and one I would also highly recommend, is a favourite, all-time classic, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.

Spot on!
This is one of the best books on leadership I have read. It gives specific examples and motivational thoughts as to what it takes to live the life of a leader.

The book is an easy read and can be used as part of a 21 day/week/month program to apply the morsals and maxims of leadership Maxwell provides.

Now that my copy is all marked up, I can't wait to share it with my employees!

Qualities Every Leader Needs to Know and Apply
I genuinely like this book because it causes the reader to BE the qualities of a leader. It addressed character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, positive attitude, problem solving, relationships, responsibility, security, self discipline, servanthood - to get ahead put others first, teachability - keep leading - keep learning, and vision.

This book will show you that every leader is a leader first to themselves, by integrating the above qualities into our consciousness, and walking our talk with others, and especially within our own selves.

I recommend that the reader seeks to BE these qualities, and to integrate them into a positively focused life - from the inside out.

This book is a wonderful contribution to embrace the highest qualities of genuine leadership, sans the ego's need to try to get others to follow you, but simply to be joyously immersed in BEING you.

Highly recommended to bring out the leader in you.
Barbara Rose, author of 'If God Was Like Man: A Message from God to All of Humanity' and "Individual Power: Reclaiming Your Core, Your Truth, and Your Life'

Foundational Leadership Information
Dr. John Maxwell offers clearly defined and timely advice for leaders. This resource is based on ethical leadership and other foundational truths. You may refer to this motivational and inspiring resource numerous times in your career.

Kenneth McGhee - Author
Eleven Leadership Tips For Supervisors ... Read more