High Road Leadership: Bringing People Together in a World That Divides

by John C. Maxwell

Leadership can be a blessing or a curse. It can help people rise up to a better life, or it can cause people to fall into despair. Become part of the solution by becoming a high-road leader. The world’s most influential leadership expert, John C. Maxwell, tackles the problem of our divided world in his latest book High-Road Leadership. “Everything rises and falls on leadership,” says Maxwell. “Today it is causing people to fall—into disputes, frustration, anger, and despair. His solution is to expose the problems of taking the low and middle roads when interacting with others and teach people how to instead take the high road. Leaders who practice high road leadership value all people, do the right things for the right reasons, take accountability for their actions, and place people above their own agenda. In his trademark communication style, Maxwell teaches the principles and practices of high-road leadership that can increase anyone’s influence and help them make their world a better place.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction, Management, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Self Help

240 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

John Calvin Maxwell is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership. Titles include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Some of his books have been on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Reviews

[Johnny Foti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m very passionate about leadership so this book was right up my alley. It was hard to not learn something while reading it! It has definitely challenged me to be a high road leader. John Maxwell is a magnificent writer and I look forward to reading many more of his books!

[Marko Low · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't understand how he keeps producing such quality material.

I've read a few of his books but this one felt like he pulled back the curtain a bit more. Mr. Maxwell shows us how to take the high road when the middle and low roads are so much easier. He shared some of his struggles and failures along the way. Usually, I read about his more shallow missteps but this book felt like we finally get to see more of him.

This book is for leaders who want to get the best out of the people they lead. The leaders who are still trying to figure it out. Leaders who want to get extraordinary results.

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very worthwhile nuggets of inspiration. Love that it was narrated by the author because at the end of each chapter, he shared why that chapter was important and gave recommended guidance in his soothing tone. He is the master of leadership training but I loved how this included ways to interact with others in your day-to-day life to show leadership. It’s not just for those who are leaders in an office setting.🎧

[3Sunbeams · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are always words of wisdom in a John Maxwell book!

[PD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve only read a few of his works. There is usually a good nugget or two. This book did too. The audiobook was read by the author, and he has a great voice for it. A cynical person might dismiss his words and ideas ad mere pollyanna-ism, but we could do for a little bit of that right now.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some helpful leadership ideas here. I appreciate the reminder to be humble, learn, listen, care about people, see their value, bring people together, do the right things for the right reasons, give, take accountability, see the big picture, desire the best for others, and take the high road. Here are some other quotes I liked:

"Leadership can be a blessing or a curse. It can help people rise to a better life, or it can cause people to fall into despair (p. 11)."

"What makes the difference between good and bad leaders? (p. 12)"

"'Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world but has not solved one yet' (Maya Angelou, p. 13)."

"The kindest person in the room is often the smartest (p. 15)."

"Nobody agrees on everything, and nobody is right all the time (p. 15)."

"We need to bring people together to increase our understanding of each other and broaden our perspective (p. 16)."

"We all need the people on the other side. Our side doesn't have all the answers (p. 17)."

"We can't divide people and expect to accomplish positive results. Conversation and collaboration will always come up with better answers than isolation and exclusion (p. 17)."

"We need to build bridges and move toward others while looking for common ground (p. 18)."

"On the low road, they look out for number one (p. 20)."

"Where the middle and low roads are me-first, the high road is others first. High-road people intentionally give first without worrying about receiving anything back (p. 21)."

"We must look for the good in people to try to bring out their best (p. 22)."

"High-Road Leaders value others, bring people together, close the gap between people, give more than they receive, gift first, don't keep score, want you to win, treat others better than they are treated. If you want to help create a better world, commit to being a high-road leader (p. 22)."

"High-road leaders don't focus on the chasm between people. They focus on connection. Thy build bridges instead of walls. They find common ground... They intentionally take steps of faith toward other people. They are willing to go first, give first, serve first, trust first... High-road leadership is about valuing people according to their potential (p. 24)."

"If you are to be a high-road leader... bring people together, value all people, acknowledge your humanness, do the right things for the right reasons, give more than you take, develop emotional capacity, place people above your own agenda, embrace authenticity, be accountable for your actions, live by the bigger picture, don't keep score, desire the best for others (p. 27)."

"High-road leadership requires patience. Bringing people together takes time. But striving to stay on the high road is worth the effort (p. 27)."

"High-road leaders are connectors (p. 30)."

"'Value people, believe in them, and love them unconditionally. Do those things every ay, and you will be successful' (p. 31)."

"People can sense whether we truly value them (p. 34)."

"'Every human being has and needs a sense of self-worth--of dignity' (Marilyn Gist, p. 35)."

"When you believe people can achieve, improve, be more than they are, and make a contribution to the world, you will value them and add value to them by investing in them (P. 36)."

"I value people and have so much faith in human potential that I believe our ability to grow is limitless (p. 38)."

"How aware are you of your attitude toward yourself? (p. 40)"

"You most consciously start putting your focus on others (p. 41)."

"Acknowledge them with kind words. Seek common ground with them by asking questions. Look for value in them and express it to them. Find ways to add value to them. Treat them with dignity (p. 42)."

"The ability to value all people by believing in them, caring about them, and unconditionally accepting and loving them comes from having the right perspective (p. 44)."

"Because you are a human being, you matter. You matter to me. You matter to God. You matter to others in the world (p. 45)."

"Whatever talents and gifts we possess were given to us. We didn't earn them. We don't deserve them. We can take no credit for them. If our gifts are great, they don't make us better than anyone else, nor does our possession of them excuse poor behavior. The best we can do is use whatever we have been given to benefit others (p. 47)."

"We're all flawed human beings... I must learn to give grace to myself and others instead of being critical or unkind (p. 49)."

"The beginning of the process of being someone who can add value to others is self-awareness: finding and knowing ourselves (p. 52)."

"When we see ourselves clearly, we are more confident and more creative (p. 53)."

"Studies also show the more power a leader holds, the more likely they are to overestimate their skills and abilities (p. 53)."

"People that can admit to their failures or shortcomings with a smile are more approachable (p. 57)."

"'Confident humility is being secure enough in your expertise and strengths to admit your ignorance and weaknesses' (p. 58)."

"You don't have to win every time. Just do the right things for the right reasons (p. 67)."

"'What's right?'... It's doing what benefits the majority of the people. It's wanting what's best for yourself and others. It's following the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That's the standard, but it's hard to live by (p. 69)."

"Doing the right things for the right reasons can be challenging. It often goes against the grain (p. 71)."

"It's the height of arrogance to believe you know everything there is to know about a subject, that you have looked at it from every angle, and that you possess the only valid perspective (p. 79)."

"Too many people today mistake statements for solutions (p. 75)."

"The right way to move forward is to be pragmatic, forgive, let go, and keep doing the right things for the right reasons (p. 76)."

"Doing the right thing can cost you time, money, friendships, and opportunities (p. 79)."

"What does it mean to be a giver? (p. 83)"

"Every day of your life, are you giving more than you take? (p. 83)"

"I desire to add value to others... I think the best of others... I give freely and often to others (p. 84)."

"How can you add value to people? What do you have to give that will help others, bless them, show them they matter, and help them get ahead? (p. 87)"

"What are your talents, and how can you use them to give to others? (p. 88)"

"Give people opportunities (p. 89)."

"What can I give today?... How can I help others to grow and get better? (p. 96)"

"Possess an abundance mindset and a giver's spirit, and you will want to give more than you take in every situation (p. 97)."

"Take ownership for your life and your choices (p. 101)."

"To prevent yourself from feeling like a victim is to express gratitude (p. 104)."

"You can't let your emotions overwhelm you (P. 105)."

"Keep yourself from getting caught up in issues you cannot control or which aren't your concern (p. 111)."

"For the sake of the people we lead, we must take care of ourselves (p. 117)."

"Every day I ask God for guidance (p. 117)."

"I intend to keep learning and growing until I die (p. 118)."

"Strong leaders are willing to bear the emotional brunt of problems, challenges, setbacks, and other difficulties for the sake of their people and organization (p. 119)."

"'Leadership is the capacity to translate a vision into reality' (Warren Buffet, p. 122)."

"The best way to understand people is to listen. The best way to learn from others is to listen. The best way to receive people's best contribution is to listen. The best way to learn what others need from you is to listen. The best way to gain people's buy-in is to listen (p. 131)."

"'Sharing our true, flawed, authentic selves is the only way real connection and love can happen' (p. 138)."

"'People would rather follow a leader who is always real than one who is always right' (p. 143)."

"Focusing on building character over reputation requires humility (p. 145)."

"Don't allow others to steal your sense of identity or dictate your worth (p. 148)."

"People always respect leaders who openly admit when they are wrong and work to make things right (p. 151)."

"Become open about who you are--your weaknesses as well as your strengths (p. 154)."

"If you want to be a high-road leader, you can't pick and choose when you take responsibility. To be considered accountable, you must demonstrate responsibility and ownership of your actions consistently, yet imperfectly (p. 157)."

"Accountability is one of the most important practices of good leaders (p. 158)."

"'Maturity is humility. It is being enough to say, 'I was wrong' (p. 176)."

"One of my favorite leadership practices is collaborating with good thinkers and leaders (p. 179)."

"Good leaders always have a plan (p. 180)."

"Never stay so tied to your plan that you miss the bigger picture (p. 180)."

"Forgiveness is not about keeping score; it's about losing count (p. 199)."

"'People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care' (p. 205)."

"'Leadership is not about being in charge, but about taking care of the people in your charge' (p. 206)."

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

"High Road Leadership: Bringing People Together in a World That Divides" by John C. Maxwell is a comprehensive guide on effective and ethical leadership. Maxwell emphasizes that the essence of a high-road leader lies in the fusion of robust skills and strong values, which can significantly impact and uplift those around them.

The concept of the high road in leadership involves prioritizing collective benefits over personal gains. High-road leaders are characterized by their genuine willingness to put others first. Unlike low-road leaders, who are self-serving, or middle-road leaders, who engage in transactional relationships, high-road leaders give without expecting anything in return. They maintain respect and dignity for all, even in the face of adversity, striving to make a positive impact on the world. Maxwell highlights that one of the biggest challenges for high-road leaders today is the prevalent divisive mindset, where differing opinions are often met with distrust. High-road leaders rise above this by fostering collaboration and understanding different perspectives, recognizing the inherent value in all individuals, and building a culture of mutual respect and unity.

A key aspect of high-road leadership is self-awareness. High-road leaders must understand their strengths and weaknesses, embracing their humanity and imperfections. This self-awareness leads to personal growth and better leadership, as it allows leaders to forgive themselves, learn from mistakes, and maintain a balance of self-confidence and humility. Motivations play a crucial role in leadership. High-road leaders serve others rather than seeking power, recognition, or financial gain. Maxwell advises against common pitfalls such as seeking easy paths, chasing applause, insisting on being right, blaming others, and paying lip service. Instead, leaders should focus on doing the right things for the right reasons, which fosters personal growth, credibility, and positive impact on others.

Generosity is another cornerstone of high-road leadership. Maxwell outlines three types of generosity: open-hearted, open-minded, and open-handed. Open-hearted generosity involves adding value to others, open-minded generosity means thinking the best of people and seeing their potential, and open-handed generosity is about giving freely and often, whether it’s time, resources, or opportunities. This generosity extends to fostering emotional capacity, which is the ability to handle adversity, failure, criticism, and stress. Leaders with strong emotional capacity are resilient and manage their emotions effectively, which in turn helps them lead others well. Key practices for building emotional capacity include taking responsibility for one’s actions, avoiding grudges, focusing on controllable aspects of life, and valuing self-care.

Authenticity is crucial for building trust and maintaining genuine connections. High-road leaders are honest, vulnerable, and willing to admit their faults. They focus on character over reputation and avoid thinking in binary terms of success and failure, which helps them stay grounded and authentic. Accountability is equally important. High-road leaders take responsibility for their actions and decisions, maintaining discipline and consistency in their values. This approach not only builds trust but also enables leaders to learn and grow from their experiences. Embracing accountability helps leaders avoid the pitfalls of power and maintain a positive influence on their teams.

High-road leaders maintain a focus on the bigger picture, understanding the broader context of their actions. Maturity, which involves the ability to navigate complex situations and make decisions for the greater good, is essential for this perspective. Leaders must avoid keeping score, which fosters guilt, unfairness, control, and entitlement, and instead focus on their behavior and treating others better than they are treated. By combining generosity, humility, emotional capacity, authenticity, and accountability, high-road leaders create a positive impact that benefits everyone. Maxwell emphasizes that high-road leadership involves intentionality and a commitment to these principles, which ultimately leads to a distinctive, positive influence on the world.

John C. Maxwell's "High Road Leadership" offers a blueprint for leading with integrity and uplifting others. It stresses the importance of skills and values, self-awareness, generosity, emotional capacity, authenticity, and accountability. By embracing these principles, leaders can create a culture of mutual respect and collaboration, navigate challenges effectively, and inspire trust and loyalty. The high road is a path of personal growth, resilience, and genuine leadership that strives for the collective good, making it a powerful approach in today’s divided world.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his latest book, leadership expert John Maxwell tells us that leadership can be a blessing or a curse. It can help people rise to a better life, or it can cause people to fall into despair. Leadership rises when leaders possess good leadership skills and good values. It falls when leaders’ skills or values are poor. He writes that today he sees more falling than rising in the leadership world. His concern over this led to the writing of this book.
Maxwell states that kindness, consideration, and empathy used to comprise the minimum standard of conduct when we interacted with one another, but too many people no longer embrace and practice those values. He writes that there’s a significant difference between believing the other side’s ideas are wrong and believing their motives are wrong.
The author tells us that most today seem to possess a very strong confirmation bias. We seek out information and data that confirm what we already believe, ignoring all the rest. Instead, we need to possess a strong collaboration bias. As leaders, we need to bring people together to increase our understanding of each other and broaden our perspective. No matter the circumstances, if we want to be good leaders, we must come to the table, sit in the middle without choosing a side, listen to others, and work to bring people together. He tells us that if we can’t work with people who disagree with us, we will never become the leader we could be.
Maxwell tells us that we need to have a change of heart and mind in how we treat people. Instead of widening the chasm between us, we need to build bridges and move toward others while looking for common ground. The way to do that is to become a leader who takes the high road. He states that is what this book is about.
The author writes that if you want to help create a better world, commit to being a high-road leader. Treating others better than they treat you, and with consistency and without judgmentalism, is the best way to bring people together, and it’s the only way to make the changes we want to see in our world. Each of the chapters of the book teaches a leadership practice that will help you live on the high road. Each chapter ends with a short pathway to achieving that particular practice.
The author covers a wide range of topics in this book, including confirmation bias, common ground, valuing people, self-worth, your humanness, self-awareness, confident humility, generosity, high emotional capacity, resilience, listening, serving people, authenticity, character over reputation, accountability, big picture thinking, credibility, perspective, keeping score, bringing out the best in others and intentionality.
I’ve been reading John Maxwell’s books for about twenty years. "High Road Leadership" is a good new addition to his excellent leadership library.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
1. The fastest and most proven way to bring people together in a world that divides is to find common ground.
2. At the heart of high-road leadership is willingness to value all people. That is the start of everything.
3. When you believe people can achieve, improve, be more than they are, and make a contribution to the world, you will value them and add value to them by investing in them.
4. To be a high-road leader, you must do the right things for the right reasons.
5. While most people go through their day wondering what they will receive, high-road leaders are preoccupied with the idea of what they will give.
6. We are stewards of whatever we have in life. It’s up to us to use what we have access to for the benefit of others.
7. The essence of high-road leadership is serving people and giving your best to them. That’s possible only if you have something to give and you possess the capacity to give it.
8. Trust is the foundation of high-road leadership.
9. If each of us would take accountability for our own actions, and we would require the people who lead us to do the same, the world would be transformed.
10. To stay on the high road, we need to focus not on what we deserve but on how we can serve.
11. If you’ll let people know how much you need them, they will help you and you will be able to share success and significance with them. That is empowering.
12. As a high-road leader, you should be thinking continually how you can serve the people in your life.

[Alex Caravaggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one of my first John Maxwell books, I felt my expectations were met. I’ve heard a lot about him and his leadership philosophies, but haven’t dug into his books until this one. Overall I felt pleased and refreshed after reading the ideas presented.

The whole premise of high-road leadership is noble, if not idealistic, which would be my biggest criticism of the book. John pushes the idea so hard of let’s work together, let’s all be nice to each other, and let’s all forgive each other while giving more than we receive, that I think it can leave new leaders completely in the dark when they need to confront non-performance or have those challenging conversations with employees or friends. Many of his points have practical applications like having honesty and humility, but I wasn’t able to give the book 5 stars because I think there was an elephant between the pages of “what if high road leadership still doesn’t get you the results you need?”. Perhaps this was intentional, but I would have liked to see it addressed in some form or fashion.

Other summary notes below!

High road leadership
- leadership rises when leaders possess good leadership skills and good values.
- If you can’t work with people who disagree with you, you will never become the leader you could be.
- High road leader - give without worrying about receiving. Abundant opportunity and enough to go around for everyone. Middle road - gives with expecting something in return. Low road - taking is the only way to survive.
- High road benefits: brings people together, brings out the best in people, creates winners without creating losers, has less traffic, path to significance.
- You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.
- 12 components of high road leadership: bring people together, value all people (self worth), acknowledge your humanness (self awareness), do the right things for the right reasons (good motives), give more than you take (abundance mindset), develop emotional capacity (resilience), place people above your own agenda (serving), embrace authenticity (openness), be accountable for your actions (courage), live by the bigger picture (perspective), don’t keep score (grace), desire the best for others (intentionality).
- There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal… it is immortals who whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit. Shift thinking to potential.
- Authenticity: take pride in choices, not gifts. Ex) I have these gifts and used them in this way to achieve these goals and results. Choose character over reputation. People would rather follow a leader that is always real than always right. #1 regret - I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me”.
- Accountability: the better the excuse, the worse it is for us because we are more likely to let ourselves off the hook. Take accountability instead of being accountable - it is an active and intentional process. Responsibility is in the present. Accountability is after the fact. Beneath accountability is honesty and humility. Motivation gets you going, discipline keeps you growing.
- Live by bigger picture - see more and see before other people do. Have big visions and goals. Exhibit humility and selflessness in decision making. Nido example of kid with nothing going to school, starting a business, and taking over as president of a college and expanding it and its mission greatly.
- 5 word alignments of high road leaders: I value you, I believe in you, I need you, I want more for you than from you, I will help you, I will do what you cannot do for yourself.

[Scott Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Maxwell has kept us on the high road for most of his leadership coaching and teaching career. But I’m not sure why he wrote his latest book, “High Road Leadership” except out of frustration for the divisiveness and conflict happening in the world, particularly the US, today.

The Middle Road is traveled by Adam Grant’s Matchers: those operating from quid pro quo. I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine.

The Low Road travelers are only in it for themselves. Low Road Leader: ‘What have you done for me today?” They don’t care about how well the team does or the organization as long as they look good. Low Road leaders move from company to company trying to get better deals and often leaving behind a mess.

High Road leaders act in a way that ensures the team succeeds. They’ll take the blame and give the credit to others. They are the Givers in Adam Grant’s lingo. They are Level 5 leaders in Jim Collins’ “Good to Great.” They are servant leaders. They are ALLY leaders (Stephanie Chung). They are Multipliers (Weisman). They have the highest level of engagement because they provide choice (autonomy), content (mastery) and collaboration (purpose) in Kohn’s “Punished by Rewards” (and Daniel Pink’s “Drive”).

Maxwell frames his leadership challenge in ways to build trust, paying attention to different aspects of trust: vulnerability (openness), acceptance, authenticity, integrity… And courage and accountability/responsibility (including admitting your own mistakes), perseverance. And keeping the team aligned and focused on the goal.

The book is focused on self-help for leaders. A check for whether you have the emotional stamina, empathy and confidence to release your own agenda and empower others to do their best, make appropriate decisions and receive recognition for their own excellence. This may be the best reason to breeze through the book.

Grant’s research has shown that Givers (High Road Leaders) succeed more than Matchers or Takers. In fact, if Takers are promoted into top positions, they don’t last long. Other Takers try to sabotage them. Also, Matchers…because there’s no quid for the quo coming back from the Takers. So if you need more encouragement to be a High Road Leader, understand Adam Grant’s take on this as well.

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do I need a new shelf just for 'books written by keynote speakers'? Overall pretty good but I can't help but notice that the qualities of a high road leader (or good leaders in general) really seem to be just good people, clearly we need more of them instead of shitty managers behind leadership roles

Takeaways that aren't from your generic leadership book:
- Leaders can be responsible for uplifting people – or equally, for bringing them down.
- Leaders with high values and low skills are generally ineffective. Those with low values and high skills lack integrity and tend to manipulate people for personal gain. It’s leaders with both skills and strong values in place who succeed in uplifting people.
- If you’re lacking in either, it’s going to be a losing situation for you, the organisation, or both.

Other notes:
- a leader must know themself before they attempt to lead others
- An effective leader is pretty much the opposite of that fear-based leader. In one word, the high-road leader is generous.
- offer people opportunities or connection
- A leader’s success is dependent upon the success of the people they’re leading. This is a relationship that requires mutual trust. And trust requires authenticity.
- Today, perhaps more than ever, it’s important to keep your focus on the bigger picture. Things can change so quickly, and there’s no shortage of distractions vying for your attention. So if a leader wants their organisation to thrive, they need to maintain a big-picture perspective.

[Joel Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the insight of John Maxwell in every book of his I have read. He has the ability to simplify and summarize tactics in a way that is clear and easy to apply to daily life and leadership immediately. This book is no different and therefore we'll worth reading for anyone who desires to be a better leader, or honestly just a better human being.
The main tenets of a high Road Leadership that seemed to be foundational to this book is loving and caring for every person. And this is based on the foundational thought that all are created in the image of God, and therefore everyone has inherent worth no matter how much we agree.
From that premise the book describes 12 characteristics of a high Road leader. Some of these include acknowledging value in each person, being authentic, placing people ahead of our agendas, and consistently desiring the best for others including putting others needs before our own.
A great summary of a high Road leader from this book is as follows:
"You must be intentional about changing the way you think, the words you speak, and the actions you take. Be intentional about getting up every morning and asking yourself, how can I do what's best for others? We can live every day working to do what's best for others. And then we can ask ourselves every evening, what did I do today to do what's best for others? If all of us do these things, we can travel the high Road and make the world a better place."

[Stephanie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I would love to be a fly on the wall in a scenario where John C. Maxwell tries to explain high road leadership to Donald Trump.

This book was great. It’s the first of Maxwell’s I’ve read and I think I can apply quite a lot here to my current role. I’ve already caught myself making subtle changes while reading.

My favorite quotes were:
* You lose the best way when you must always have your own way.
* The kindest person in the room is often the smartest.
* Treating others better than they treat you is the best way to bring people together.

Key Takeaways:
* Elevate Others: Prioritize the needs and well-being of others over personal gain. 

* Authenticity and Vulnerability: Be your true self, openly acknowledging strengths and weaknesses to foster deeper connections and trust. 

* Generosity Without Scorekeeping: Give without expecting anything in return and don't keep mental tabs on favors or slights. 

* Embrace Accountability: Take responsibility for outcomes, both positive and negative, without blaming others or external factors. 

* Maintain Integrity: Choose the path of honesty and consistency between your words and actions, even when it's difficult. 

* Foster Collaboration: Seek common ground, build mutual respect, and strive to bridge gaps between people. 

* Conscious Choice: Recognize that the high road is a deliberate choice, requiring courage, effort, and sacrifice but resulting in unparalleled fulfillment and growth. 

[Tracy Mecum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a clear, well-written, easy to understand book about how to treat people with love and humanity while being a leader. We have many ways in life that we lead, by teaching, by bringing up our children, by caring for ailing family members, and through the many jobs we do in life and the many hats we wear. How we conduct ourselves when leading is important, and this book gives kind and gentle guidance as to how to lead in way that allows everyone to win. Ultimately, it is in serving others that we find happiness and contentment, and John Maxwell has, though not infallible himself, found a way to impart that knowledge to people. The information in this book is simple, straightforward, and when you find yourself looking for guidance whether because you are feeling low and cannot find a way to move out of your funk or because you are looking for the best path forward in a tricky situation, reading through this book or even skimming through the salient points could help you find the guidance you need.

[Storhmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We absolutely do live in a world that aims to divide than bring us together?
I think this read is a great tool that could help all of us in taking the high-road! As well as reverse the divide!

There are so many great things in this book, I could quote the whole book!! Here’s one part that really stood out to me.

“To be a high-road leader, when your instincts tell you to fight, you need to extend a hand of friendship. When others build walls, you need to look for a gate. When others say you have nothing in common, you need to double your efforts to discover something-anything-you share in common so that you can create a way to meet and build a relationship. High-road leaders are connectors!”

If all leaders or people that feel they want to be leaders or even those that desire to be better individuals read this book the world would flourish!

I highly recommend this book to all! This is a book I’ll turn to over and over again!

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a great summation of a career of training leaders. He frequently highlights his best stuff from other books, he quotes modern leader trainers, and he covers a lot of stuff. The only downside, and I find this true for most of Maxwell’s books, is it is so much. If you are training a teacher they desperately want ideas on how to teach. But if you give them a list of fifty activities to try they only ever end up picking one or two and never thinking of any others.

It feels a little like a buffet for healthy choices. You have the green veggies area, the pro-biotic area, the whole grains area, the vitamin area. You know you need them all, but it is really hard to take it all in one sitting. You kind of have to approach his books with your gaps in mind and then find what you need from it.

Really well done though. I had many things I wrote down and want to remember.

[Otis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, such an awesome lesson on true leadership. When I ingested the last, I didn’t think it would get better, but I stand corrected. You’ve out done yourself again. This material is so filled with high value treasure within that I’m digesting (rereading) it immediately.

The three things your dad share with you is so true, value people, believe in people and love people unconditionally. This book is an artistic masterpiece. I remember something you say a while ago. I’ll paraphrase a little here, “You leave people one of two ways for having come in connection with you; better or worse. The choice is yours, so choose wisely.” My friend, you’ve have deeply affected me and helped me to grow in wisdom and knowledge. Thank you doing life with us, the reader in this capacity. You continue to bless us with your gifts. Blessings

[Alexander Gil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a revival book for Maxwell as his others were getting repetitive.

Great read on leadership and the three roads you can take. What leadership is, and how self delusion we can be sometimes (hippo vs eagle).

Great quotes and stories, enjoyed the rolls Royce and -
“When an archer misses the mark, he turns and looks for the fault within himself. Failure to hit the bull’s-eye is never the fault of the target. To improve your aim improve yourself. Take responsibility.”

Accountability keeps you consistent.
Accountability increases self-respect.

The hallmarks of maturity are humility, perspective, and patience.
Keep score removes gratitude by poisoning attitude.
Forgiveness is not about keeping score. It’s about losing counts.

[Mir Shahzad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

There are many principles to consider when it comes to high road leadership, which is committed to leading with integrity and uplifting others. Maxwell emphasizes the importance of taking the high road by giving more than you take, developing emotional capacity, placing people above your own agenda, embracing authenticity, and being accountable for your actions. The way of the high road leader is one that strives to see the bigger picture, avoids the pitfalls of keeping score, and genuinely desires the best for others. Through maturity, understanding context, and intentionality, you can create a distinctive, positive impact.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book, while competently written, offers little in terms of groundbreaking insights or transformative ideas. Its principles largely echo the intuitive ethics and practices one would expect from any thoughtful, conscientious individual. While this universality may appeal to some, others may find it lacking in depth or originality. In essence, the text reiterates what many would already consider common sense, wrapped in a package that, though accessible, ultimately fails to challenge or inspire profound reflection. For those seeking novel perspectives or a more rigorous intellectual engagement, this work may fall short of expectations.

[Chris Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Maxwell will probably forget more about leadership and connecting with others than nearly any other writer in this genre. High road leadership is another one of those books that John reads on the audiobook and I think that really gives it the extra personality that you don’t get when it’s read by others.
John Maxwell outlines a number of principles that help leaders and others demonstrate and practice those high road traits that seem to be missing in many of business organizations, government and even some nonprofit organizations.

I didn’t feel it was his best book, but I still was able to get some value from reading it.

[JD' · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Maxwell is kind of like reading Moses in the Bible. He's been around forever and is kind of boring. No offense
He teaches the fundamentals and has great advice to living well. But like Moses the author of the 1st 5 books, sometimes it's like reading the book of Numbers.
If I were a leader, maybe I would be into leadership books. I once dreamed of it. Even if it was just being a youth leader. But I'm just trying to be a father. And I find that this simple task inside the United States of America 🇺🇸 is Impossible thanks to the family courts. I'm not a leader. I have no desire to be anything. My only dream is to be a dad.

[jac · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book just made me sad. the entire thing is just maxwell discovered empathy and that other people have feelings too. like the discovery that people are PEOPLE and not just works is portrayed as a novel idea. it just makes me sad that this book is needed and that people praise it SO highly. it's literally just describing empathy. "high road leadership" is literally just caring for your employees. it's so so sad that this is necessary.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I don't understand why this philosophy required a whole book. "Don't be a jerk. Lead with empathy and humanity. Take accountability. Have a generous spirit." These are the takeaways. It's not rocket science.

I suppose we all know leaders who have NOT engaged in this philosophy, so perhaps these ideas will be illuminating for some. But personally, I'm not sure I know any other way to lead.

[Ray Anthony Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important message for today’s leaders

Excellent work by J.C Maxwell breaking down the various attributes of a high road leader and how this type of leadership helps an organization. Maxwell gives actionable advice on how you can become a high road leader and shows the negative impacts of low road leadership.
Timely message for the leaders of today.

[B.J. VDubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so needed in our world today! Right now, where divisiveness and intolerance seem to dominate on almost every subject, in this book, John Maxwell teaches how important it is to work together and to be not just tolerant, but loving towards everyone, including those you disagree with on some topics.

[Matt Dietzenbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book by my daughter . She received it as a gift from a leadership conference she attended. There are some great advice throughout the book about how to lead your life . However I felt it was more geared to people who have to lead larger numbers of people. Hopefully I can apply a few strategies in my line of work.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely wonderful blessing this book is! I always enjoy Maxwell books, but this one hit me like no other has before. It honestly felt like he took the very best parts of dozens of books and speeches I’ve heard him give and combined them into what I believe may be his finest leadership book to date. I’ll be buying copies for our entire leadership team immediately.

[Brian Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really solid leadership book based on the premise of good morales and values. While the concepts aren’t new or novel, they are important nonetheless. I found this book had just as much as an impact on how I think about what it means to be a parent as it does to lead a team. Particularly enjoyed the chapter on valuing others. I take that for granted all too often.

[Nate Roberts II · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! I took so many notes. This had encouraged and challenged me as a leader in our church. I’ve already implemented some of the practices in this book and I’ve already seen the fruit of it. Highly recommend!