How to Lead When Your Boss Can't

by John C. Maxwell

Every day millions of people with high potential are frustrated and held back by incompetent leaders. New York Times bestselling leadership author John C. Maxwell knows this because the number one question he gets asked is about how to lead when the boss isn’t a good leader.

You don’t have to be trapped in your work situation. In this book, adapted from the million-selling The 360-Degree Leader, Maxwell unveils the keys to successfully navigating the challenges of working for a bad boss. Maxwell teaches how to position yourself for current and future success, take the high road with a poor leader, avoid common pitfalls, work well with teammates, and develop influence wherever you find yourself.

Practicing the principles taught in this book will result in endless opportunities—for your organization, your career, and your life. You can learn how to lead when your boss can’t (or won’t).

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

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

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

[Kev Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a good boss, but this book isn't really for people with a bad boss. At least not exclusively. The book isn't really about your boss at all. It's about YOU, and how you choose to respond to any type of adversity at work.

John Maxwell's books are great about redirecting the reader back to what he/she can control and helping to remind the reader not to spend time or resources on things that can't be controlled, and that includes the skills and abilities of your particular boss at the time that you read this book.

By contrast, John Maxwell helps the reader to rediscover perspective and to invest in his/her own professional growth.

A must-read for all employees and leaders.

[Tim Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard not to give this book 5 stars. At only about 150 pages, it was exactly what I needed to read in light of the subject matter.

[Noor Abu Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book genuine ideas.. I recommend it.

[Samaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Disclaimer: My boss of record is awesome; I read this to cope with other leadership.* This book takes a proactive approach to leadership failings from above and recommends managing yourself and your time well, as well as following the overall company vision. It helps to diffuse emotion and how to divest yourself from negative feelings. I will revisit the basic premises when I am frustrated and would recommend it to colleagues dealing with leadership issues from above. 3.5 stars rounded up

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Very practical. Things would have been different at work if I had read this earlier. Its always easier to navigate when you have the right knowledge and this book is a must read.

[Iman Fawzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book for Americans, not practical for us in The Netherlands.

[Ahmad Faris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is a little unorthodox, with a long and pointed statement. Normally books like this has really deep story, which the title wanted to mask, or it is just as straight forward as it is. This book is unfortunately the latter. It list down in a matter of sub-chapters, of points such as type of bosses and self management, and occasionally sprinkles some anecdote from other books or sources. The problem is these anecdotes sometimes don't jive well with his points. Let me give you an example.

In the chapter where the writer says that you have to lead yourself first and get your stuff in line, before being able to 'handle' your boss, he opens with this anecdote: A crow was sitting all day on a tree when a rabbit saw it, and asked whether it can join the crow in doing nothing. The crow agreed. Then suddenly a fox came and ate the rabbit who was sitting, doing nothing, while the crow continued sitting and watched.

The writer then said that the moral of the story is that to be able to afford to do nothing, which he then relates back to the point that you have to be able to manage yourself before you can handle your boss. I honestly do not get the connection. To be fair, other anecdotes are better related to the points the writer trying to make, despite being a bit too familiar.

In fact, the whole book seems habitual and a bit boring. I tried reading it three times, and every time I fell asleep (once it was during a commute, which shows how boring it is). I finally skipped and read all the subtitles, and came out with this review. I am not saying the points made are not valid, but the book can benefit from a better representation. Or perhaps I am not that patient, so if you have the patience and can finish the book, do write a review or share your takeaways.

[Deidre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of Maxwell’s books that I have read. The first was How Successful People Think. In my review of that book, I delivered a slight criticism for the abundance of platitudes, but overall, there were a number of beneficial points contained within.
This book is much of the same but is also far worse. There are some great messages here that gave me pause, instigated reflection, and provided hope. I have notes that I will resource from, and unquestionably I have grown and am bettered by having taken the time to read and digest this book. However, in my opinion, there are parts of this that cross the line into truly dangerous territory. Maxwell quotes Napoleon at one point, who says “Leaders are dealers in hope.” Well, there were multiple points where, based on his suggestions, I couldn’t help but think that Maxwell, driven by that manifesto, lives in a land of unicorns and fairies. I am mid career, thus have a decent amount of life experience to add context to these suggestions. This book simply does not paint a gritty enough picture to do justice to the major frustrations of dealing with poor leadership. Honestly, I would never give this to a younger person who is just beginning their career, as I feel it paints a very unrealistic picture of the workforce.

[Justin Goldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested to read this book based on the author's emphasis in other books and content on the importance of influence rather than a perspective on operating under a type of leader. I found the chapter on the imperative to develop influence wherever you are to be very useful for the most junior individual contributor on up to those at higher echelons throughout an organization. It is also drives home another point of emphasis from the author on the need to lead yourself well and to seek to positively impact those around you long before entering a position of leadership. While the title might push someone in a particular direction, I was pleased to read the emphasis on finding ways to work with one's boss and on the crucial ability to build consensus within the teams that makeup an organization.

[Clarence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have gained a lot of self introspection in reading this work and a lot of weighing on my heart with regards to my leadership style, choices, acts etc. this work of john maxwell has afforded me to polish up my mistakes, short comings, and insights. Am sure everyone in work spaces have worked with a person they have called a bad boss, leader, captain no matter the title. this work has mirrored me the view of myself inthe situations and how to deal with difficult situations while working under supposedly a bad boss or leader. its not my job to change the person am under, it is my duty to change myself to work with the leader. I have to invest as much as i can from, either materials or audio materials to grow to Lead myself rather better. So if i fix myself up it easier to work with difficult people.

[Carter Hemphill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book provides general leadership advice that seems to have been borrowed or restated from his other books. I wish the author provided more examples and addressed specifically how to work with poor supervisors. Also, the author writes about work in the private sector and much of the advice is applicable to the public sector, the challenge is that it's much more difficult to restructure or fire people. The author implied that he has not had to face bad supervisors as he has been often in a role where he could eliminate poor performers.

Much of the book is about managing up and being a leader, with little of the book providing good advice on how to cope with poor managers. Nevertheless, there were some usual tips and advice.

[Alicia Ovalles Marchena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many tips to keep improving and to increase your “how to act” when you are in a difficult situation trying to be a good collaborator in a old culture company dealing with old coworkers that already thought their way is the right way.

Also its a boost for us the people how wants to keep doing the new and positive things to their actual company . non stop until you deal with a bad or non help boss.
Thanks John!

[Melanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical steps of what to do with a bad boss when you’re feeling stuck.
I would say though that it’s assumes if you shine bright enough you’ll eventually get noticed and promoted out of your bad boss spot. Which isn’t always the case. Sometimes the bad boss is just keeping you there because of their own inaction. So I would have liked to have seen more focus on how to have conversations to address this and then how to leave well if it doesn’t go the way you hoped.

[Mick Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt there were some good themes and advice throughout the book, but ultimately found it to be a bit repetitive and incoherent. Rather than diving deep into many of the topics, he gives a paragraph or two, then there’s another header. I also felt that it has a lot of old-school themes to leadership, which at times are good, but it just didn’t feel very relevant to me personally. Overall fine book just not what I was looking for or needed when I researched books about managing upwards.

[jeffrey martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read.

I liked the way is written, divided by few chapters, and every chapter has a lot of different sections, making it easy to read and very easy to find information again.
Good book, fearly decent and very practical teachings.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that encourages us all to...
1. Lead ourselves well
2. Develop influence wherever we are
3. Prove our worth daily
4. Never stop growing
because “the better you get, the greater your potential for tomorrow”.

[Jami Vollrath Herbst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this in 2020. The title seems a bit passive aggressive/harsh, but I found it well written. It had great tips in general for working with people and remaining professional in various negative scenarios.

[Ryan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book frustrated me. It asks you to do the honorable thing, as it is the only path that really makes sense. In the end, it won me over and I regretfully conceded. I wish the need to read this book upon no one, but should the need arise, it is helpful. Best of luck.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little read, finished in one day. Nothing earth-shattering, or new even, but great nuggets of advice and great reminders on leading where you are and being aware of your range of control no matter where you sit.

[Darryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible book!!! Easy to reas with many helpful and wise principles to help guide you in growing personally, professionally, and to succeed under poor leadership. I highly recommend this book.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Basically, how to gaslight yourself into staying in a toxic workplace so you can keep climbing that corporate ladder. Nowhere in this book does Maxwell acknowledge that, in some cases, you just need to cut your losses and leave. (If he did, I totally missed it)

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving these little books!

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prety good. A quick read that serves as a refresher for anyone who has been around the block a few times, but still worth the time.

[Muhammad Bramantyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple book and easy to read about leadership

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is ok. It's mainly about how to be a good employee. This advice applies to whether you have a good boss or not.

[Jeremi Dudu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

John Maxwell has to be one of my new favorite authors. His writing is so easy and practical to understand.

[Kay-em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading. If you have read most of the author's books - there are no major surprises. However there are lots ideas that are well laid out in brief paragraphs.

[Norazni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-have for those who are looking into brushing up their leadership skills.

[Mohannad Hajaj]

Great wisdom inside. A must read fot those working in the middle of an organization for a weak boss.

[Jonah Okpani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with indebt knowledge and attitude towards leadership.