Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know by John C Maxwell

"Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know" by John C. Maxwell is a small hardcover book of just under one hundred pages of motivating and practical advice on attitude and its importance to leaders of all kinds. In this concise guide, Maxwell shares the basics regarding attitude and its role in succeeding, not only as a leader, but in life itself. While there may not have been anything earth shattering, and by that I mean, much of the information in this book is build around common sense and those lucky enough to have been brought up learning these principles won't find anything new, it doesn't mean this book is not important or a good read. In fact, it is a very good read, and basics are the foundation to build upon, and this book presents that basics of attitude in an easy to read manner, and even if you think you know it all, I bet something in this book touches you in a way you have not thought of before and moves you that much closer to the success you desire and deserve.

The book is divided into three parts. Part One: The Impact of Attitude has chapters on how attitude impacts leadership and how attitude impacts individuals. If you don't already believe attitude is extremely important, read these chapters where Maxwell illustrates just why attitude may be one of the most important elements toward success as a leader and success in general.

Part Two: The Formation of Attitude focuses on topics such as what shapes a person's attitude, how attitude can be changed, and how obstacles actually enhance attitude. These chapters point out that your attitude has been shaped by what happened as you grew up, but also illustrate that you have the power to change your attitude for the better to make your life the life you desire. I also like how Maxwell teaches that adversity motivates.

The final part of the book examines the future with the right attitude. The first chapter in this part focuses on what failure is, and then next on what success really is. And finally, the last chapter briefly discusses how a leader can continue to climb. I liked these chapters and think anyone will benefit by looking at failure and success as Maxwell does here. Additionally, I agree with Maxwell that to lead, you must sacrifice. This is a very good lesson.

Again, this is a short book and a quick read, but one that will motivate you and help you develop the attitude of a successful leader. I agree with Zig Ziglar when he said we bathe every day because a bath or shower wears off, and that's why filling our minds with positive lessons that motivate us every day is equally important. This little book is a nice shot of motivation and contains some very practical ways to look at and improve your attitude.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a writer, speaker, and mediator who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. He is an expert on conflict and mediates and teaches conflict resolution and negotiation. Additionally, he teaches physical conflict skills in his Hapkido and Self-Defense courses, lectures, and seminars. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com/ and http://www.yourwarriorsedge.com/

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Learn Like A Leader: Today's Top Leaders Share Their Learning Journeys

"Learn Like A Leader: Today's Top Leaders Share Their Learning Journeys" edited by Marshall Goldsmith, Beverly Kaye, and Ken Shelton is an interesting book of essays by thirty-five different leaders. Some of them, very recognizable, such as Warren Bennis, Stephen R. Covey, and Spencer Johnson, all of whom have had multiple books on business best seller lists. Others might not be as recognizable to some, such as Beverly Kaye, Robert Fritz, and Homa Bahrami, however, all have interesting stories to tell regarding their learning paths. Some more interesting than others, but all make a point and fit nicely together.

To make the learning lessons more clear, the editors have grouped the essays into various categories, which include: lessons on leadership; crossroads and choices; leading, learning and teaching; seeing yourself as others do; developing self-knowledge; unlearning what you thought was so; pain is a great teacher; and mentors matter. Each of these sections has a number of essays and a conclusion by the editors summing up the lessons for the section. These summaries, or key learning points, provides a short summarizing paragraph and then some questions for the reader to ask related to the sections main topic. I found these to be a good way to bring the various essays together, and to make the reader think about how the stories shared might relate to the reader's own life and circumstances.

The essays themselves always opened with a short bio on the author, and then the shared experience and what was learned by the writer. They vary in length from three to eight pages, but most are around four pages long. Besides the questions asked in the "key learning points" at the end of each section, there are also questions to ponder at the end of each essay. Again, this allows the reader to reflect on how the writer's experience might help with the reader's life.

I enjoyed the book, and found it to be very easy to read a few essays each day over a week's time, while also taking a moment each day to reflect on some of the questions posed at the end of each chapter and then section. Obviously, there were some essays that I enjoyed and connected with better than others, but I did feel that all of the essays together accomplished the book's goal in providing a book of stories that convey not only the power of storytelling, but also in teaching, training, and mentoring. These are people to learn from, and I feel there is much to learn from these stories.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a writer, speaker, and mediator who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. He is an expert on conflict and mediates and teaches conflict resolution and negotiation. Additionally, he teaches physical conflict skills in his Hapkido and Self-Defense courses, lectures, and seminars. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com/ and http://www.yourwarriorsedge.com/

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