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Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership
A #1 New York Times bestselling author and leadership expert answers questions from his readers about what it takes to be in charge and make a difference. John Maxwell, America's #1 leadership authority, has mastered the art of asking questions, using them to learn and grow, connect with people, challenge himself, improve his team, and develop better ideas. Questions have literally changed Maxwell's life. In GOOD LEADERS ASK GREAT QUESTIONS, he shows how they can change yours, teaching why questions are so important, what questions you should ask yourself as a leader, and what questions you should be asking your team. Maxwell also opened the floodgates and invited people from around the world to ask him any leadership question. He answers seventy of them--the best of the best--including . . . What are the top skills required to lead people through difficult times?How do I get started in leadership?How do I motivate an unmotivated person?How can I succeed working under poor leadership?When is the right time for a successful leader to move on to a new position?How do you move people into your inner circle? No matter whether you are a seasoned leader at the top of your game or a newcomer wanting to take the first steps into leadership, this book will change the way you look at questions and improve your leadership life.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2014
1277 people are currently reading
8201 people want to read
About the author
John C. Maxwell
1,000 books5,859 followersJohn 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 382 reviews
May 4, 2015
Having read several of Maxwell's books over the years, I knew I was in for a treat before starting this read. However, what grabbed me about this book is that Maxwell and his team decided to take a couple of years and narrow down the questions most asked about leadership and then compile them categorically into a readable format. The result is a real glimpse into the mindset of John Maxwell, known as one of the top leadership gurus in the world. Add to the fact that he is a Christian and served as a pastor for many years and you have a fascinating read and insight into one of the keenest minds on this important subject of leadership.
The book is broken down into two parts: 1) Questions I Ask and 2) Questions Leaders Ask Me. Under the two parts the following questions are answered:
Questions I Ask
1. Why Are Questions So Important
2. What Questions Do I Ask Myself as a Leader?
3. What Questions Do I Ask My Team Members?
Questions Leaders Ask Me
1. What Must I Do to Lead Myself Successfully?
2. How Does Leadership Work?
3. How Do I Get Started in Leadership?
4. How Do I Resolve Conflict and Lead Challenging People?
5. How Can I Succeed Working Under Poor Leadership?
6. How Can I Successfully Navigate Leadership Transitions?
7. How Can I Develop Leaders?
The three chapters that were most helpful to me were "What Must I Do to Lead Myself Successfully?", "How Do I Resolve Conflict and Lead Challenging People?", "How Can I Successfully Navigate Leadership Transitions?"
I underlined, starred, and marked up so much of this book, I don't know exactly what to include in this review. I do know that if you have any type of leadership role or have a desire to learn leadership, this is a tremendous book. As always with Maxwell's books, this volume is infused with applicable anecdotes and timely quotes.
Here are a few of my favorite parts of the book:
When I was a young leader, I didn't feel wise enough, strong enough, mature enough, competent enough, confident enough, or qualified enough. When I began to be honest with myself, allow my weaknesses to humble me, and go to God for help, I began to change. I became more open and authentic. I was willing to admit my mistakes and weaknesses. I developed appropriate humility, and I began to change and grow...Before I had been unwilling to be wrong, and as a result I had been unable to discover what was right. Isn't it strange how we must surrender being right in order to find what's right, how humility enables us to be authentic, vulnerable, trustworthy, and intimate with others? People are open to those who are open to them.
p.9
If you are a leader, your goal is to lift up your people, not have them lift you up.
p.34
If you are a leader, the true measure of your success is not getting people to work. It's not getting people to work hard. It is getting people to work hard together.
p. 37
If you are a leader and you are not adding value to your team, you need to question whether or not you should even be the leader.
p. 39
Success is a relationship game.
p. 43
Successful leaders don't only take action. Good leaders listen, learn, and then lead.
p. 49
When team members no longer believe that their leader listens to them, they start looking around for someone who will.
p. 52
Asking the question "What do you think?" has often allowed me to lead my organization better than I would have if I had relied only on myself. More than once, members of my team have saved me from making a bad or stupid decision because they saw things I didn't see, relied on experience I didn't have, or shared wisdom they possessed that I lacked. Their thinking has elevated my ability, and for that I am very grateful.
p. 59
Insecure leaders want to have tight reins on everyone and everything...in the end insecure leaders limit their people and their organizations.
p. 92
If you want to become a better leader, become highly relational.
p. 100
It's wonderful when the people believe in the leader; it's more wonderful when the leader believes in the people.
p. 125
Good leaders cultivate themselves through personal growth. They also cultivate relationships and grow teams. That too can be slow and difficult work. It usually takes longer than we expect and it's harder than we hope. But there is no such thing as solitary success. Nothing of significance was ever achieved without people working together.
p. 141
The bottom line on leadership is that its influence. If you want to lead, you must persuade people to work with you. People who think they're leading but have no one following them are only taking a walk.
p. 150
Rewards are motivating. Rules, consequences, and punishment don't do anything to get people going. They merely keep people from doing their worst. If you want people's best, give them incentives for performance.
p. 183
Many poor leaders do not respond well to having their methods questioned.
p. 204
Good leadership works. It's based on invitation, not intimidation.
p. 221
Achievement comes to people who are able to do great things for themselves. Success comes when they lead followers to do great things for them. But a legacy is created only when leaders put their people into a position to do great things without them.
p. 258
Your success is more dependent on your ability to find and attract good people than on anything else.
p. 261
There's only one way to lead leaders. Become a better leader yourself. Good leaders do not follow poor ones. People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves.
p. 283
The book is broken down into two parts: 1) Questions I Ask and 2) Questions Leaders Ask Me. Under the two parts the following questions are answered:
Questions I Ask
1. Why Are Questions So Important
2. What Questions Do I Ask Myself as a Leader?
3. What Questions Do I Ask My Team Members?
Questions Leaders Ask Me
1. What Must I Do to Lead Myself Successfully?
2. How Does Leadership Work?
3. How Do I Get Started in Leadership?
4. How Do I Resolve Conflict and Lead Challenging People?
5. How Can I Succeed Working Under Poor Leadership?
6. How Can I Successfully Navigate Leadership Transitions?
7. How Can I Develop Leaders?
The three chapters that were most helpful to me were "What Must I Do to Lead Myself Successfully?", "How Do I Resolve Conflict and Lead Challenging People?", "How Can I Successfully Navigate Leadership Transitions?"
I underlined, starred, and marked up so much of this book, I don't know exactly what to include in this review. I do know that if you have any type of leadership role or have a desire to learn leadership, this is a tremendous book. As always with Maxwell's books, this volume is infused with applicable anecdotes and timely quotes.
Here are a few of my favorite parts of the book:
When I was a young leader, I didn't feel wise enough, strong enough, mature enough, competent enough, confident enough, or qualified enough. When I began to be honest with myself, allow my weaknesses to humble me, and go to God for help, I began to change. I became more open and authentic. I was willing to admit my mistakes and weaknesses. I developed appropriate humility, and I began to change and grow...Before I had been unwilling to be wrong, and as a result I had been unable to discover what was right. Isn't it strange how we must surrender being right in order to find what's right, how humility enables us to be authentic, vulnerable, trustworthy, and intimate with others? People are open to those who are open to them.
p.9
If you are a leader, your goal is to lift up your people, not have them lift you up.
p.34
If you are a leader, the true measure of your success is not getting people to work. It's not getting people to work hard. It is getting people to work hard together.
p. 37
If you are a leader and you are not adding value to your team, you need to question whether or not you should even be the leader.
p. 39
Success is a relationship game.
p. 43
Successful leaders don't only take action. Good leaders listen, learn, and then lead.
p. 49
When team members no longer believe that their leader listens to them, they start looking around for someone who will.
p. 52
Asking the question "What do you think?" has often allowed me to lead my organization better than I would have if I had relied only on myself. More than once, members of my team have saved me from making a bad or stupid decision because they saw things I didn't see, relied on experience I didn't have, or shared wisdom they possessed that I lacked. Their thinking has elevated my ability, and for that I am very grateful.
p. 59
Insecure leaders want to have tight reins on everyone and everything...in the end insecure leaders limit their people and their organizations.
p. 92
If you want to become a better leader, become highly relational.
p. 100
It's wonderful when the people believe in the leader; it's more wonderful when the leader believes in the people.
p. 125
Good leaders cultivate themselves through personal growth. They also cultivate relationships and grow teams. That too can be slow and difficult work. It usually takes longer than we expect and it's harder than we hope. But there is no such thing as solitary success. Nothing of significance was ever achieved without people working together.
p. 141
The bottom line on leadership is that its influence. If you want to lead, you must persuade people to work with you. People who think they're leading but have no one following them are only taking a walk.
p. 150
Rewards are motivating. Rules, consequences, and punishment don't do anything to get people going. They merely keep people from doing their worst. If you want people's best, give them incentives for performance.
p. 183
Many poor leaders do not respond well to having their methods questioned.
p. 204
Good leadership works. It's based on invitation, not intimidation.
p. 221
Achievement comes to people who are able to do great things for themselves. Success comes when they lead followers to do great things for them. But a legacy is created only when leaders put their people into a position to do great things without them.
p. 258
Your success is more dependent on your ability to find and attract good people than on anything else.
p. 261
There's only one way to lead leaders. Become a better leader yourself. Good leaders do not follow poor ones. People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves.
p. 283
December 19, 2014
To many John C. Maxwell will need no introduction, yet for the uninitiated he may be a pleasant, inspiring surprise.
There is no shortage of business-orientated books, all offering the promise to show you the way of becoming a great leader that will inspire one’s employees and help transform your business in the process. Do most of them deliver? No. Does this one?
This book seeks to help the reader by looking at the process of what makes a successful leader, noting that a successful leader is successful by asking questions and listening to the answers. Heresy, it might seem, to many managers who assume that their word has the same weight as a Biblical text and “Must Not Be Questioned”. A more open, accessible, considerate modern leader can still lead, yet they will flourish and benefit from a two-way communication stream. Maxwell here pushes this point repeatedly, noting that sometimes the simplest question such as “Why?” can be the most effective. There is a distinct feeling of empowered humility behind the central message from Maxwell. Ask questions, listen and process. Rinse and repeat. That is a good culture to encourage within a company. Far too many so-called leaders are aloof, out-of-touch (despite being successful) and to use a Army phrase “locked on transmit”.
The book features 70 questions posed by Maxwell’s social media followers, the toughest of the tough questions posed about what it takes to achieve their professional best. Sometimes the questions can be the most revealing and force an element of inner-reflection on the reader. Do these questions apply to you? Maybe they should…
In many ways this book left this reviewer with a mixed feeling. The central message is great, valuable and engaging but it just felt as it was taking far too many words to come to the point. At times there was a feeling of focus loss, if not direct verbosity and padding. It is good to know what stands behind a proposed course of action and a reason to change, yet there was a distinct feeling that the message was being lost in a stream of words at times.
It is hard to directly criticise this book. The author clearly knows his onions and has enjoyed great success with his endeavours. It is probably not a cultural difference either. It just feels that the book, should it be a little tighter, better organised and more focussed, would be even more indispensible. As it is, the busy executive might find it a tough read with so many other competing things fighting for their time and attention. Not everybody has the ability as Bill Gates to take himself or herself away for a week and just read undisturbed!
Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership, written by John C. Maxwell and published by FaithWords / Center Street. ISBN 9781455548071, 320 pages. YYYY
There is no shortage of business-orientated books, all offering the promise to show you the way of becoming a great leader that will inspire one’s employees and help transform your business in the process. Do most of them deliver? No. Does this one?
This book seeks to help the reader by looking at the process of what makes a successful leader, noting that a successful leader is successful by asking questions and listening to the answers. Heresy, it might seem, to many managers who assume that their word has the same weight as a Biblical text and “Must Not Be Questioned”. A more open, accessible, considerate modern leader can still lead, yet they will flourish and benefit from a two-way communication stream. Maxwell here pushes this point repeatedly, noting that sometimes the simplest question such as “Why?” can be the most effective. There is a distinct feeling of empowered humility behind the central message from Maxwell. Ask questions, listen and process. Rinse and repeat. That is a good culture to encourage within a company. Far too many so-called leaders are aloof, out-of-touch (despite being successful) and to use a Army phrase “locked on transmit”.
The book features 70 questions posed by Maxwell’s social media followers, the toughest of the tough questions posed about what it takes to achieve their professional best. Sometimes the questions can be the most revealing and force an element of inner-reflection on the reader. Do these questions apply to you? Maybe they should…
In many ways this book left this reviewer with a mixed feeling. The central message is great, valuable and engaging but it just felt as it was taking far too many words to come to the point. At times there was a feeling of focus loss, if not direct verbosity and padding. It is good to know what stands behind a proposed course of action and a reason to change, yet there was a distinct feeling that the message was being lost in a stream of words at times.
It is hard to directly criticise this book. The author clearly knows his onions and has enjoyed great success with his endeavours. It is probably not a cultural difference either. It just feels that the book, should it be a little tighter, better organised and more focussed, would be even more indispensible. As it is, the busy executive might find it a tough read with so many other competing things fighting for their time and attention. Not everybody has the ability as Bill Gates to take himself or herself away for a week and just read undisturbed!
Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership, written by John C. Maxwell and published by FaithWords / Center Street. ISBN 9781455548071, 320 pages. YYYY
September 5, 2016
Having never read a book by John C. Maxwell, I am blown away by the leadership advice he offers in "Good Leaders Ask Great Questions" on page one. If you work in any place of employment, I highly encourage you to pick up this book or any of his books. As someone who is young in my professional career, this book challenged me to ask questions rather than to nod my head acting like I knew the answers. I love how this book addresses leadership and what solid leadership looks like in organization versus ineffective leadership. The most impactful chapter by far was chapter one. I love the top 10 questions that John C. Maxwell challenges the reader and himself. This book has taught me the value of questions, asking the right questions, what kind of questions and when to ask them. Additionally, I found his reason for writing books to be inspiring and to be full of truth when he stated that his friend, and author, Les Parrott wrote books to "increase his audience and message." Despite the challenges and how long it took Maxwell to write a book, he did not give up and has sold over 24 million copies. I think the guy knows something about leadership, business and taking your professional life to the next level.
You don't have to be a business expert, a leadership guru or even the top dog at your business to start asking great questions to move up in your company. "Good Leaders Ask Great Questions" is written in bite size chunks that will help you grow as a leader. If you're just starting in a leadership role, this is a great read. If you're not in a leadership role, this is a great read to help you move from good to great. Overall, I learned so much from this book. I have almost every page highlighted with something that I learned about leadership, questions, or dealing with individuals who are need to grow in their skills. This would be a great gift for a college student, a graduation present or even someone who just landed their first job. If you're looking to grow in your leadership, pick up this book. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Center Street Publishing for providing me a complimentary copy for review purposes. I was not compensated for a positive review. I give this book 5/5 stars. I cannot wait to read more books by John C. Maxwell.
You don't have to be a business expert, a leadership guru or even the top dog at your business to start asking great questions to move up in your company. "Good Leaders Ask Great Questions" is written in bite size chunks that will help you grow as a leader. If you're just starting in a leadership role, this is a great read. If you're not in a leadership role, this is a great read to help you move from good to great. Overall, I learned so much from this book. I have almost every page highlighted with something that I learned about leadership, questions, or dealing with individuals who are need to grow in their skills. This would be a great gift for a college student, a graduation present or even someone who just landed their first job. If you're looking to grow in your leadership, pick up this book. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Center Street Publishing for providing me a complimentary copy for review purposes. I was not compensated for a positive review. I give this book 5/5 stars. I cannot wait to read more books by John C. Maxwell.
May 8, 2022
3.5 stars
Some of these questions/tangents I found VERY practical and thought-provoking. And others...less so. Probably didn't help that I just finished Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 and there is quite a bit of overlap in stories and quotes.
Some of these questions/tangents I found VERY practical and thought-provoking. And others...less so. Probably didn't help that I just finished Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 and there is quite a bit of overlap in stories and quotes.
August 19, 2023
کتاب خیلی روان و راحت پیش میره ، نکات خوبی داره اما هیچکدوم برای من تکان دهنده و جدید نبود ، ارزش تکرار و خوندن رو داشت مخصوصا برای مدیرها توصیه میشه
March 4, 2018
"Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less." (John C. Maxwell, Good Leaders Ask Great Questions)
Some of the greatest questions asked on leadership are in this book. Too many questions to mention them all! Questions you may ask yourself as a leader, that the author asks himself are:
1. Am I investing in myself?
2. Am I genuinely interested in others?
3. Am I grounded as a leader?
4. Am I adding value to my team?
This books contains questions that he asks himself, the questions others have asked him and questions that his inner circle have asked him or he asks them.
Great leaders ask good questions. Very true. If you study the life of Christ, you will see that he often asked his disciples questions. He also answered questions with a question. An example of this is in Matthew 22:15-22. Also, Jesus as a boy was asking questions of the Teachers of the Law in the temple (Luke 2:46). If asking questions was good enough for Jesus, it is good enough for me.
Great questions can get great answers. When was the last time you asked a great question?
Some of the greatest questions asked on leadership are in this book. Too many questions to mention them all! Questions you may ask yourself as a leader, that the author asks himself are:
1. Am I investing in myself?
2. Am I genuinely interested in others?
3. Am I grounded as a leader?
4. Am I adding value to my team?
This books contains questions that he asks himself, the questions others have asked him and questions that his inner circle have asked him or he asks them.
Great leaders ask good questions. Very true. If you study the life of Christ, you will see that he often asked his disciples questions. He also answered questions with a question. An example of this is in Matthew 22:15-22. Also, Jesus as a boy was asking questions of the Teachers of the Law in the temple (Luke 2:46). If asking questions was good enough for Jesus, it is good enough for me.
Great questions can get great answers. When was the last time you asked a great question?
August 24, 2024
My first John C. Maxwell book and it certainly won’t be my last. I intend to go through his entire collection of books that he’s written. Maxwell’s writing style and layout is very straight and to the point, some anecdotes thrown in for emphasis, very actionable and implementable.
I highly recommend to anyone that is seeking to enhance their leadership skills.
I highly recommend to anyone that is seeking to enhance their leadership skills.
February 15, 2022
Best book about the power of the question that I have bumped into.
Highly recommended for all type of people that are willing to improve themselves.
Highly recommended for all type of people that are willing to improve themselves.
March 26, 2022
This book was good but not quite what I expected. It’s more of a book about leadership in general. It goes over some things I’ve never heard before but also many things I have.
The book is split into two parts. Part I: Questions I Ask and Part II: Questions Leaders Ask Me. Part I lived up to my expectations. We were able to get into the mind of Maxwell and walk away with some questions we should be asking as leaders.
Part II was hit or miss. All of the like questions were grouped into chapters. It felt like a way of passing on leadership advice by adding questions to tie it into the theme of the book.
This was my first Maxwell book. I’ve heard a lot of good things about him. Overall, there were some good takeaways from this book. I was just expecting more good questions I should be asking my own leadership, my peers, and my employees, so I wish there would have been more of that.
The book is split into two parts. Part I: Questions I Ask and Part II: Questions Leaders Ask Me. Part I lived up to my expectations. We were able to get into the mind of Maxwell and walk away with some questions we should be asking as leaders.
Part II was hit or miss. All of the like questions were grouped into chapters. It felt like a way of passing on leadership advice by adding questions to tie it into the theme of the book.
This was my first Maxwell book. I’ve heard a lot of good things about him. Overall, there were some good takeaways from this book. I was just expecting more good questions I should be asking my own leadership, my peers, and my employees, so I wish there would have been more of that.
October 1, 2020
"All things being equal, people will do business with people that they like. All things not being equal, they still will."
There is a lot of practical wisdom in this book. I did find it interesting that he references his own books so often. The layout of the book for me was a bit hard to follow from the audiobook side. There may have been more visual cues in the physical book that helped it make more sense. Overall another good offering from Maxwell.
There is a lot of practical wisdom in this book. I did find it interesting that he references his own books so often. The layout of the book for me was a bit hard to follow from the audiobook side. There may have been more visual cues in the physical book that helped it make more sense. Overall another good offering from Maxwell.
June 29, 2019
كتاب رائع عن القيادة
يعطي دروس وحلول عملية ومنطقية من منهج كيف نسال الاسئلة الصحيحة لكس نصل للهدف المنشود
يعطي دروس وحلول عملية ومنطقية من منهج كيف نسال الاسئلة الصحيحة لكس نصل للهدف المنشود
February 19, 2019
This book read link a memoir by someone who had nothing else to say, but was told he needed to write another book. The entire book is just excerpts from other books mixed with "questions" that people asked him, but he lumped all the questions into simpler generic questions that allow him to repeat information.
It was also heavily sprinkled with self-aggrandizing quotes from people who were "influenced" by his leadership methods. Preachy, too. It felt like it should be read from a pulpit. "This is how I lived my life and you should, too."
I've been reading a lot of leadership books lately, and this is the worst yet. Had to force myself to speed read past the first quarter.
It was also heavily sprinkled with self-aggrandizing quotes from people who were "influenced" by his leadership methods. Preachy, too. It felt like it should be read from a pulpit. "This is how I lived my life and you should, too."
I've been reading a lot of leadership books lately, and this is the worst yet. Had to force myself to speed read past the first quarter.
December 31, 2020
Pretty typical Maxwell formulae... bulleted lists and plenty of references to previous books he’s written. There was a tone to this one that just annoyed me though. I can’t place exactly what was off, but I think it sounded rather condescending. Perhaps I got that vibe because of how often he talked about cutting people loose and only focusing on those who give the most return on your time. Or maybe it was because the book seems to focus on executive level leadership rather than leading from any level, as if only executives are great leaders. I’m glad this was a library copy because I would have regretted spending money on it and certainly wouldn’t care to have it on my bookcase.
November 12, 2023
The practical takeaways are fantastic, and there are many thought-provoking moments in the book. For that, I would want to rate minimum of 4 stars… HOWEVER, this book is honestly the epitome of “this could’ve been an email”. There are far too many anecdotes that feel like a word count addition, and this book could’ve been minimum 100 pages shorter.
March 30, 2016
كتاب ممتع بصراحة و غير مفاهيم كثيرة عندي بالنسبة لموضوع القيادة و من هو القائد الحقيقي
رغم ان عبارة عن 304 صفحة بس ما حسيت فيهم و لا بطول الفصل الواحد
الاسئلة المذكورة في الكتاب و اجابات الكاتب الذكية و المقنعة تخليك تتحمس تمسك منصب قيادي.
للي يحب يقرا في كتب القيادة انصحه بهذا الكتاب.
رغم ان عبارة عن 304 صفحة بس ما حسيت فيهم و لا بطول الفصل الواحد
الاسئلة المذكورة في الكتاب و اجابات الكاتب الذكية و المقنعة تخليك تتحمس تمسك منصب قيادي.
للي يحب يقرا في كتب القيادة انصحه بهذا الكتاب.
October 29, 2018
Maxwell does an excellent job in defining leadership, its purpose and goals. I enjoyed hearing his real-life examples of leadership as well as his personal lessons. I felt truly inspired and prepared to become a better leader thanks to the lessons of this book.
November 21, 2018
There has seldom been an author I have read as much of [1] without liking very much in the way that has been the case for John C. Maxwell. He often has numbered books of supposed rules or laws for leadership and success, and often comes off, at least to me, as a little bit untrustworthy. Given that he writes so much about character and the approach that one should take to be successful, the fact that he seems a bit like a slimy used-car salesman on occasion detracts from my enjoyment of his writing. It is just hard for me to take him seriously as a religious leader and as someone who really has the right insights when it comes to leadership. The fact that he recycles so much of his material and tries to resell it under new titles and new brands also suggests to me that he is more about marketing himself than he is about really serving the best interests of readers who would want to know how to be both great and good. At least his books are usually quick to read, though, and that is the case here.
This particular book is divided into two parts. The first part, after acknowledgments, consists of three chapters on questions the author asks (I), including a justification of the importance of questions (1), as well as what questions he asks of himself (2) as well as of his team members (3). The rest of the book consists of questions that other leaders ask the author (II) including how people lead themselves (4), how leadership works (5), how to get started in leadership (6), how to resolve conflict and lead challenging people (7), how to succeed under poor leadership (8), how to navigate leadership transitions (9), and how to develop other leaders (10). After that there is a short conclusion as well as notes and an index. The chapters are full of questions in bold and sidebars that help information and it is visually formatted, at least, to be easy to read and pleasing to the eyes. If one cannot always trust the examples or the supposed insight of the author, at least one can trust the graphic design of the work to be easy enough to read and understand, and that counts for something at least.
This particular book was released in 2014, and one can tell this in part at least by the fact that the author has at least lessened his tendency in earlier books to namedrop famous and up and coming business leaders who would inevitably find themselves involved in some sort of scandal that would demand an airbrushing out of future editions of those books or changing the name of the book to sell it to a new and unsuspecting audience. In the case of the author, there are great questions that can be asked that are of immense importance, but this book would have been better had the author asked more soul-searching questions of himself. Given his fondness for questionable leadership (like that of Enron or GE, for example), and given his lack of deep spiritual insight, and the fact that he was made a leader very early in his career, while still a novice, and so he lacks a lot of experience in serving under others, there are plenty of tough questions I could ask him. But if the author had been more soul-searching here, more inclined to ask questions of himself, more demonstrative of a struggle with self-doubt and a recognition of his own flaws, this book would have been a lot more authoritative.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
This particular book is divided into two parts. The first part, after acknowledgments, consists of three chapters on questions the author asks (I), including a justification of the importance of questions (1), as well as what questions he asks of himself (2) as well as of his team members (3). The rest of the book consists of questions that other leaders ask the author (II) including how people lead themselves (4), how leadership works (5), how to get started in leadership (6), how to resolve conflict and lead challenging people (7), how to succeed under poor leadership (8), how to navigate leadership transitions (9), and how to develop other leaders (10). After that there is a short conclusion as well as notes and an index. The chapters are full of questions in bold and sidebars that help information and it is visually formatted, at least, to be easy to read and pleasing to the eyes. If one cannot always trust the examples or the supposed insight of the author, at least one can trust the graphic design of the work to be easy enough to read and understand, and that counts for something at least.
This particular book was released in 2014, and one can tell this in part at least by the fact that the author has at least lessened his tendency in earlier books to namedrop famous and up and coming business leaders who would inevitably find themselves involved in some sort of scandal that would demand an airbrushing out of future editions of those books or changing the name of the book to sell it to a new and unsuspecting audience. In the case of the author, there are great questions that can be asked that are of immense importance, but this book would have been better had the author asked more soul-searching questions of himself. Given his fondness for questionable leadership (like that of Enron or GE, for example), and given his lack of deep spiritual insight, and the fact that he was made a leader very early in his career, while still a novice, and so he lacks a lot of experience in serving under others, there are plenty of tough questions I could ask him. But if the author had been more soul-searching here, more inclined to ask questions of himself, more demonstrative of a struggle with self-doubt and a recognition of his own flaws, this book would have been a lot more authoritative.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...
April 23, 2019
I’ve seen John C Maxwell books on bookshelves for years, and was never too excited to try them. That was a mistake. And while I regret the years NOT spent reading his books, I’m thrilled that my introduction to him in “Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership” will spur my interest in many of his other books! As a self-help nut, I’ve read many books that tackle Leadership. Most teach me something, but few have been as jam-packed with awesome insight as this was! It’s simple and easy to digest as well. And it’s applicable to anyone who wants to make a difference!
April 14, 2025
This book was not on my list of choices for our 4.5-hour drive from Virginia to Pittsburgh. But what can I say, the driver picks what they want to listen to!
As I was on my phone playing Toonblast, I was half listening engrossed in my phone game, thinking, I’m not managing a team right now and I don’t plan to lead a team anytime soon. But more and more I was drawn in.
Some people may say this is a motivational, leadership book for managers or leaders. However, I feel this book can help anybody in any situation whether you’re managing team or trying to lead yourself to become better.
❤️Sections:
-mistakes/loss
-starting/finishing
-finding my strength/passion
As I was on my phone playing Toonblast, I was half listening engrossed in my phone game, thinking, I’m not managing a team right now and I don’t plan to lead a team anytime soon. But more and more I was drawn in.
Some people may say this is a motivational, leadership book for managers or leaders. However, I feel this book can help anybody in any situation whether you’re managing team or trying to lead yourself to become better.
❤️Sections:
-mistakes/loss
-starting/finishing
-finding my strength/passion
March 18, 2023
John C. Maxwell is a prolific author, focusing on the topic of leadership. Every one of his books that I've read has been great, and I've learned a lot from him over the years. This book is no exception, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the topic.
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February 23, 2018Interesting read. Leadership as it should be. It's practical and relevant to everyone seeking to be a leader or in leadership
April 4, 2020
Interesting idea to think about. Need to revisit
November 6, 2020
Fantastic book. Everyone should read this!
April 6, 2025
Learning book #3: per recommendation of someone I’m hoping to work with, read this. Lots of things I like, asking questions has been a goal of mine of late so was nice to identifying some specific examples and growth areas. Helpful and great but also not hugely revelatory in nature
December 14, 2019
Excellent primer for all stages of leadership, and definitely one of those books I wish I had read years ago as part of my military professional development.
Also dovetails with Maxwell's other works in addition to Start With Why (Sinek), Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Covey), It Worked For Me (Powell), and a few others.
Absolutely worthwhile, and I intend to revisit this book in the near future.
Also dovetails with Maxwell's other works in addition to Start With Why (Sinek), Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Covey), It Worked For Me (Powell), and a few others.
Absolutely worthwhile, and I intend to revisit this book in the near future.
March 19, 2022
Awesome book! It is a book you could read each year to recap!
February 18, 2018
Great for training leaders. Easy read, wealth of information
February 19, 2021
Here really are some great questions.
January 16, 2018
Good leadership book.
October 31, 2021
Packed with examples of questions to ask yourself and others at different stages of your leadership journey. One underlying truism is that the simple act of asking questions as a leader humbly acknowledges your limited knowledge and allows other members of the team to shine.
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