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Leading in Tough Times: Overcome Even the Greatest Challenges with Courage and Confidence
Challenging times will come, but great leaders know how to lead their teams and emerge even stronger—prepare yourself now using this helpful guide to personal and professional success. Great leaderships will face challenges. Markets will collapse; pandemics will come; people will always provide new and interesting ways to makes things difficult. But leaders must achieve results and build a team that produces, even when you are faced with difficult circumstances.
This all-new book from John Maxwell, created using content from several of his previous bestselling titles, is the ultimate guide to helping your team survive and even thrive when the unexpected happens. Maxwell helps leaders identify their team's main challenges, take stock of their liabilities, understand what they can control, and use challenges as opportunities to rethink the way they do things. He ultimately gives leaders the tools to grow their teams in the midst of difficult times.
Through humor, in-depth insight, and examples, internationally recognized leadership expert John C. Maxwell reassures leaders that they can still lead well and help people develop the skills they need to become great leaders, even when times are tough.
This all-new book from John Maxwell, created using content from several of his previous bestselling titles, is the ultimate guide to helping your team survive and even thrive when the unexpected happens. Maxwell helps leaders identify their team's main challenges, take stock of their liabilities, understand what they can control, and use challenges as opportunities to rethink the way they do things. He ultimately gives leaders the tools to grow their teams in the midst of difficult times.
Through humor, in-depth insight, and examples, internationally recognized leadership expert John C. Maxwell reassures leaders that they can still lead well and help people develop the skills they need to become great leaders, even when times are tough.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2021
130 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
About the author
John C. Maxwell
998 books5,843 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 32 reviews
March 24, 2023
As the book progressed, I kept asking myself...did I read this before? Then I read the synopsis and realized that it was a collection of his works. So that made sense. Good stuff, but it would've been better if it was new content.
September 21, 2021
William Gibbs McAdoo once remarked of President Harding that his oratory resembled “an army of pompous phrases moving over the landscape in search of an idea.” The same comment could be made about Maxwell’s Leading In Tough Times.
The most dazzling paragraph therein is to be found on its final page, About The Author. Maxwell’s accomplishments are unquestionably impressive. A New York Times bestseller; a #1 leader in business with over thirty-three million books sold in fifty languages; a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award and the Mother Teresa Prize, and an acolyte to numerous Fortune 500 CEOs. I’ve even read a handful of books referencing his sound wisdom. My trousers were halfway off when I received the advanced reading copy.
So, you can imagine my disappointment as I sat down all hot and bothered to study what ended up being a grab bag of trite platitudes, buzz words and free associations dressed up as pith for le développement du leadership. I kept thinking to myself, “Doesn’t this sort of break with his rule of ‘underpromise yet overdeliver’?”
It’s unfortunate; this was my first exposure to a man well respected, heavily quoted and treated with great deference in his field. I suspect Maxwell wanted a quick buck so he cranked out this literary equivalent to the Hyde Park Speaker’s Corner or the drive-thru window.
Having said that, I am not rating it 1 out of 5 stars. I reserve those for books I can’t finish. There were some valuable tidbits, to be sure. I did enjoy his insights on the art of listening. I learned a couple of things I intend to personally implement. The rest of it, however, could’ve been drafted by a goldfish.
2 out of 5 stars. Thank you for the eARC I received in exchange for an honest review. Better luck on the next one esteemed Mr. Maxwell.
The most dazzling paragraph therein is to be found on its final page, About The Author. Maxwell’s accomplishments are unquestionably impressive. A New York Times bestseller; a #1 leader in business with over thirty-three million books sold in fifty languages; a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award and the Mother Teresa Prize, and an acolyte to numerous Fortune 500 CEOs. I’ve even read a handful of books referencing his sound wisdom. My trousers were halfway off when I received the advanced reading copy.
So, you can imagine my disappointment as I sat down all hot and bothered to study what ended up being a grab bag of trite platitudes, buzz words and free associations dressed up as pith for le développement du leadership. I kept thinking to myself, “Doesn’t this sort of break with his rule of ‘underpromise yet overdeliver’?”
It’s unfortunate; this was my first exposure to a man well respected, heavily quoted and treated with great deference in his field. I suspect Maxwell wanted a quick buck so he cranked out this literary equivalent to the Hyde Park Speaker’s Corner or the drive-thru window.
Having said that, I am not rating it 1 out of 5 stars. I reserve those for books I can’t finish. There were some valuable tidbits, to be sure. I did enjoy his insights on the art of listening. I learned a couple of things I intend to personally implement. The rest of it, however, could’ve been drafted by a goldfish.
2 out of 5 stars. Thank you for the eARC I received in exchange for an honest review. Better luck on the next one esteemed Mr. Maxwell.
January 12, 2023
So many everyday gems dropped. Will want to re-listen to this audiobook again!
December 24, 2021
The blurb of this book says its a new book created from content of several of his previous best-sellers. So, if you have read his earlier books, I would say give this a miss. The points have already been explained in those books. Good leadership skills are the same whether in times of hardship or when things are going smooth.
This book does fill a niche. It is a good summary, i.e. cliff notes, version on leadership and is handy for people in leadership positions who do not have a lot of time or who just want a refresher in becoming a better leader. After reading this book, I highly recommend reading some of his earlier books for more details.
This book does fill a niche. It is a good summary, i.e. cliff notes, version on leadership and is handy for people in leadership positions who do not have a lot of time or who just want a refresher in becoming a better leader. After reading this book, I highly recommend reading some of his earlier books for more details.
July 24, 2022
“Hope is the foundation of change. If we continue to hold hope high, and we help others to do the same, there’s always a chance to move forward and succeed.”
I picked this up because I thought it would be a quick and uplifting read. Instead, it kicked my butt and gave me plenty to reflect on and work through.
I picked this up because I thought it would be a quick and uplifting read. Instead, it kicked my butt and gave me plenty to reflect on and work through.
July 25, 2021
This is a “new” book from John Maxwell, created using content from several of his previous books. He writes that good leaders understand that adversity and challenges are actually opportunities to rise up in leadership. He writes that the first step you must take as you approach tough times is to prepare yourself as a leader. One of the most challenging tasks any leader faces is being a change agent and leading people through tough times. But it can also be one of the most rewarding. As a leader in tough times, you need to become a change agent. You need to help others embrace positive change, even when it takes them outside their comfort zone. During tough times, your job is to motivate your team to keep moving forward despite the obstacles in their path. During tough times, communication may be the leader’s most important skill. Everything else hinges on it.
The book covers a wide variety of subjects related to leading in tough times, including servant leadership, growth, implementing change, overcoming teamwork, trust, challenges, risk, motivation, encouragement, communication, listening, asking questions, values, vision, decision making, leadership pressures, ethics,
The book is sprinkled with interesting quotes, but not many illustrations as are normally included in his books, and lacking any references to his time leading as a pastor for twenty-five years, resulting in an overall lack of warmth that you would normally get from a Maxwell book. Still, the content here is solid.
Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
• I believe the only worthy motivation for leadership is a desire to serve. If you want to lead but are unwilling to serve people, I think you need to check your motives.
• If you are willing to embrace servanthood, not only will you become a better leader, you will help your team, help the people your team serves, and make the world a better place.
• Leaders need to keep growing in order to keep leading. They cannot expect their followers to grow and improve if they aren’t doing so as well. This is especially important during tough times, because tough times bring change. Confident leaders experience genuine joy in the success of others. When others shine, so do they.
• Good leaders focus on the needs and wants of their people, and as far as it is within their power, they make their people’s hopes and dreams a priority.
• Trust is one of the foundations of effective leadership. Trust is a two-way street. If you want your team to trust you, you need to trust them. That means you must value others enough to give them your trust.
• One of your jobs as a leader is to paint a picture of their future that inspires them to work harder today. Tell them who they can become. Show them what they could someday be doing. This must be done with integrity, because as leaders, we never want to manipulate people. We just want to help them envision the future.
• Risk is rarely comfortable. It requires us to get out of our comfort zone. Yet that’s where we need to live in order to make changes and develop winning strategies.
• You will drastically increase your results if you stop doing what you’re not great at and instead focus on what you do best.
• If you care about people, treat them with respect, and build positive relationships with them, you actually have increased opportunities to have hard conversations with them that will help them to grow and perform better.
• Good leaders communicate the vision of the organization once, then continually remind the team of it. They don’t stop there. They also communicate the vision through their own actions. Modeling the vision helps people understand and embrace it in ways they may not have before.
The book covers a wide variety of subjects related to leading in tough times, including servant leadership, growth, implementing change, overcoming teamwork, trust, challenges, risk, motivation, encouragement, communication, listening, asking questions, values, vision, decision making, leadership pressures, ethics,
The book is sprinkled with interesting quotes, but not many illustrations as are normally included in his books, and lacking any references to his time leading as a pastor for twenty-five years, resulting in an overall lack of warmth that you would normally get from a Maxwell book. Still, the content here is solid.
Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
• I believe the only worthy motivation for leadership is a desire to serve. If you want to lead but are unwilling to serve people, I think you need to check your motives.
• If you are willing to embrace servanthood, not only will you become a better leader, you will help your team, help the people your team serves, and make the world a better place.
• Leaders need to keep growing in order to keep leading. They cannot expect their followers to grow and improve if they aren’t doing so as well. This is especially important during tough times, because tough times bring change. Confident leaders experience genuine joy in the success of others. When others shine, so do they.
• Good leaders focus on the needs and wants of their people, and as far as it is within their power, they make their people’s hopes and dreams a priority.
• Trust is one of the foundations of effective leadership. Trust is a two-way street. If you want your team to trust you, you need to trust them. That means you must value others enough to give them your trust.
• One of your jobs as a leader is to paint a picture of their future that inspires them to work harder today. Tell them who they can become. Show them what they could someday be doing. This must be done with integrity, because as leaders, we never want to manipulate people. We just want to help them envision the future.
• Risk is rarely comfortable. It requires us to get out of our comfort zone. Yet that’s where we need to live in order to make changes and develop winning strategies.
• You will drastically increase your results if you stop doing what you’re not great at and instead focus on what you do best.
• If you care about people, treat them with respect, and build positive relationships with them, you actually have increased opportunities to have hard conversations with them that will help them to grow and perform better.
• Good leaders communicate the vision of the organization once, then continually remind the team of it. They don’t stop there. They also communicate the vision through their own actions. Modeling the vision helps people understand and embrace it in ways they may not have before.
December 9, 2023
حرفی که نشود ردش کرد چهجور حرفیست؟ منظورم حرفیست که آنقدر درست و حسابی بهنظر میرسد که چارهای جز پذیرشش ندارید؟ بهگمانام در اغلب موارد این حرفها در بهترین حالت «بیربطاند». یا میشود گفت انتزاعیاند.
البته همه همیشه نمیتوانند حرف خوب بزنند ولی زدن حرف خوب غیرقابل رد و اثبات هم کمک چندانی به کسی نمیکند.
اصلا برای من اینطور است که اگر موقع خواندن کتابی «جا نخورم» بعید است در نهایت چیز چندانی از آن دستگیرم بشود.
حرفهای مکسول در این کتاب هم از جنس حرفهای خوب و کلیات ابوالبقاء هستند. البته که به کرات نکات قابل استفاده و کموبیش بهدردبخور در آن پیدا خواهید کرد ولی غالب آنچه در کتاب هست صورتبندی ایدههای رایج و متداول است. خود کتاب هم نتیجهی گردآوری حرفهای مکسول دربارهی رهبری در منابع دیگر است که بعید نیست به کمعمق شدنش دامن زده باشد.
بههرحال، نه میشود توصیهاش کرد و نه اگر بخوانیدش بابت چند ساعتی که وقتتان را صرفش کردید پشیمان میشوید.
ترجمه و کتابسازی بهاندازهی خود کتاب معمولی و عادی است.
البته همه همیشه نمیتوانند حرف خوب بزنند ولی زدن حرف خوب غیرقابل رد و اثبات هم کمک چندانی به کسی نمیکند.
اصلا برای من اینطور است که اگر موقع خواندن کتابی «جا نخورم» بعید است در نهایت چیز چندانی از آن دستگیرم بشود.
حرفهای مکسول در این کتاب هم از جنس حرفهای خوب و کلیات ابوالبقاء هستند. البته که به کرات نکات قابل استفاده و کموبیش بهدردبخور در آن پیدا خواهید کرد ولی غالب آنچه در کتاب هست صورتبندی ایدههای رایج و متداول است. خود کتاب هم نتیجهی گردآوری حرفهای مکسول دربارهی رهبری در منابع دیگر است که بعید نیست به کمعمق شدنش دامن زده باشد.
بههرحال، نه میشود توصیهاش کرد و نه اگر بخوانیدش بابت چند ساعتی که وقتتان را صرفش کردید پشیمان میشوید.
ترجمه و کتابسازی بهاندازهی خود کتاب معمولی و عادی است.
August 31, 2021
I've read a number of Maxwell's previous books, and while I certainly enjoyed this one, I think I got less out of it than I otherwise might have if I hadn't read many others. It's a great introduction to his books and may be better geared toward "Maxwell newbies" wondering where to start! (Or, if you've already read some, it may help you decide which to read next.)
I particularly appreciated the specifics around "leading oneself," something Maxwell strongly advocates for and goes into more depth on here. And, if the covid pandemic isn't a "tough time" requiring solid leaders ... I don't know what is, haha!
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I particularly appreciated the specifics around "leading oneself," something Maxwell strongly advocates for and goes into more depth on here. And, if the covid pandemic isn't a "tough time" requiring solid leaders ... I don't know what is, haha!
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
February 10, 2022
While I enjoy the message of the book, it seems to be the same message in a few of his other books just updated to state “in tough times”. The book was a short, 144 pages, and was quick to read through and I am glad to have read it as a booked downloaded from the library, but at this point I am unsure that I would purchase it for my bookshelf.
I rated 3 stars as it is a topic relevant to anyone in a leadership role in our current times, but the same messages are found in multiple other books just compiled for a new take.
I rated 3 stars as it is a topic relevant to anyone in a leadership role in our current times, but the same messages are found in multiple other books just compiled for a new take.
October 28, 2021
A short concise text on leadership that entails corporate, personal and team environments. It works through aspects of each and what makes leaders. This book would actually be a great book for rising juniors or seniors in high school, athletes on up. Any individual that is hired for a position as a team lead should also read and understand the contents and how interactions between people can make people better leaders.
February 24, 2023
This books take a look deep into leaders and principles that define personal, professional, and relational aspects of life. 9/10 recommendation for anyone pursuing leadership or needs help in a current relationship. Reading with objectivity and be prepared to get your feelings “hurt” because sometimes you’re not always right.
December 18, 2025
work talk:
i really enjoyed working through this book. it confirms a lot of my personal business beliefs when it comes to leading my team at work. leading through change has been my area of opportunity this year and this book has been so helpful to put into focus what is most important when times get tough. def recommend for my business and leadership girlies (and others)
i really enjoyed working through this book. it confirms a lot of my personal business beliefs when it comes to leading my team at work. leading through change has been my area of opportunity this year and this book has been so helpful to put into focus what is most important when times get tough. def recommend for my business and leadership girlies (and others)
August 3, 2021
Great content that helps increase the effectiveness of my leadership.
September 10, 2021
Another great book by John C Maxwell! If you are leading any sort of team, the advice contained in this book will be useful for you.
December 8, 2021
Highly recommended
April 21, 2022
Another good short primer on leadership from John C. Maxwell. This is a nice volume which — after reading — may be consulted from time to time on motivational and ethical issues.
December 28, 2022
Great read on leadership, maxwell brings the content!
April 10, 2023
A great quick read to help potential leaders and getting you set up to be successful in mindset.
August 23, 2023
Enjoyed the reminders
August 29, 2023
An easy reading book with details of how to overcome some of management issues
January 8, 2024
Another instant classic from John Maxwell. Clear, concise, to the point - no fluff leadership forward. Small read, but dense.
January 3, 2025
Good compilation of Maxwell’s previous books.
January 31, 2025
Not terrible. Not great. Very topical.
March 14, 2025
It was a nice short book, full of practical advice and strong principles to follow as a leader in tough times.
October 10, 2025
Read this for my Christian Leadership course at school. Was ok, good reminders of leadership but seemed to be a lot of platitudes
October 13, 2025
Just a good reminder of some basic stuff. Nothing mind blowing. Good to read through anyway.
July 7, 2023
“Leading in Tough Times: Overcome Even the Greatest Challenge of it with Courage and Confidence“ by John C. Maxwell is a book for leaders facing challenges.
What do you do as a leader when your company and your team face challenges? In this book, you learn how to build resilient teams, and how to leave them through tough times with John Maxwell’s trademark encouragement and simple steps.
This book is made up of excerpts from earlier books, but it feels timely based on when it came out. As someone who has led teams through change, I can recommend this book.
What do you do as a leader when your company and your team face challenges? In this book, you learn how to build resilient teams, and how to leave them through tough times with John Maxwell’s trademark encouragement and simple steps.
This book is made up of excerpts from earlier books, but it feels timely based on when it came out. As someone who has led teams through change, I can recommend this book.
July 25, 2021
What if politicians followed this model?
Another very well written and insightful book. Ethics and morals must be incorporated in everything we do or we risk becoming what we dispise.
Another very well written and insightful book. Ethics and morals must be incorporated in everything we do or we risk becoming what we dispise.
April 2, 2022
Requires multiple readings
Many good advices and full of lists of things to do or things not to do.
Sometimes those lists have a negative impact on the flow but, I guess, those might be useful on a subsequent reading.
Many good advices and full of lists of things to do or things not to do.
Sometimes those lists have a negative impact on the flow but, I guess, those might be useful on a subsequent reading.
January 15, 2023
"The first and Last task of a leader is to keep hope alive, so we can finally find our way..."
A short good read that reaches leaders about challenges they will face and how to navigate them in decision making, communication, motivation, making strategies etc
A short good read that reaches leaders about challenges they will face and how to navigate them in decision making, communication, motivation, making strategies etc
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews