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It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (Part I)

By: Consuelo (Chit) E. Munar

“The need for meaning drives every human to create, to build, to pursue achievement. People who reach exceptional heights usually share a sense of a clear goal, a compelling purpose that serves as true north. The most satisfying purpose goes beyond making money and toward a quest for higher good. A “right” purpose can lead you to an enriched life, as it galvanizes many people working together for a vital cause that gives all of them a sense of meaning.” (From the Arc of Ambition by James Champy)

Most of us aspire for something – fame, wealth and happiness. But a few people aspire to shift an entire paradigm the way Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Lee Iacocca, Ray Kroc and others did. What really does it take to become an effective leader?

John C. Maxwell, America’s number one expert on leadership, set a powerful, definitive statement of the foundational laws that shape leadership in his best-seller book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. He claims that all of the irrefutable laws are very important for a leader. Further, he points out that increasing the number of laws an individual apply in his/her life, the better leader you become. The 21 laws are as follows:

I. The Law of the Lid – A leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. The higher your lid is, the greater is your capacity or capability for achievement. A person’s strength of leadership is tied to his/her personal and organizational success.

II. The Law of Influence – A job title don’t have much value when it comes to leading. Having a position of authority does not automatically qualify you to lead. The true measure of leadership is influence and influence can only be earned; it cannot be mandated. Leadership cannot be awarded, appointed or assigned.

III. The Law of Process – Becoming a person of influence is directly similar to investing in stock market. If one hopes to amass a fortune overnight, then he/she will be going to be disappointed. Leaders develop daily, not in a day. What matters most is what you do day in and day out over the long haul.

IV. The Law of Navigation – Anyone can steer a ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course. Before they start their journey, leaders see the whole trip in their minds. They have a vision for their destination, understand what’s required to get there, and know whom they need on the team to be successful. Leaders set the direction for their organization.

V. The Law of Solid Ground – Trust is the foundation of leadership. To build trust, a leader must exemplify competence, connection and character. People may forgive occasional mistakes based on ability, but they won’t trust anyone with shoddy character.

VI. The Law of Respect – People naturally follow leaders who are stronger than themselves. The less skilled follow the more highly skilled and gifted. The more leadership ability a person has, the more quickly he recognizes leadership – or it’s absence – in others. People line up to follow those they respect or else they leave the team to pursue their own agenda.

VII. The Law of Magnetism – Who you are is who you attract. Effective leaders understand the need to recruit people who complement their strengths. A team cannot be anything other than an extension of the leader’s personality.

VIII. The Law of Connection – Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand. They connect with their followers emotionally before calling them to action. When a leaderdemonstrate genuine interest in the welfare of others, he/she gains credibility. People don’t care how much a leader know until they know how much a leader care.

IX. The Law of Reproduction – It takes a leader to raise up a leader. People cannot give to others what they themselves do not possess. Commit to personal growth, and then pour everything you know into your people. Do that long enough, with enough people, and you’ll develop a leadership culture where talented performers flock.

X. The Law of Empowerment – Only secure leaders give power to others. Such leaders lift up those they lead – giving them resources, encouragement and credit. Empowering leaders place a high belief in their team. They see the best in those they lead, and inspire them to reach their potential.

These ten (10) laws strongly complement with the other eleven (11) less popular but equally important principles which will be published in next month’s publication. Emulating successful businesspeople, politicians and other ambitious leaders or achievers who stay true to their chosen path, one will be imbued with a sense of purpose. At the same time, violating moral or ethical values you say you believe in, leads for a slippery slope. Strong values can help establish business purposes and help preserve the organization’s image and reputation. Unparalleled integrity is not at odds with success.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (Part I)

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