The 360 Degree Leader
Leaders help people succeed. Organizations depend on leadership for their company to be successful. Every organization needs 360 leaders, these leaders make an impact no matter where they are on the ladder of leadership. Ninety nine percent of all leadership occurs not from the top, but from the middle. Many managers believe that because they are not the main leaders they can’t influence their bosses, peers, and subordinates. In The 360 Degree Leader John C. Maxwell introduces his own leadership principles; leading up, leading across and leading down. He also explains the value of the 360 degree leader, the most common leadership myths and challenges that every organization faces.
In order to develop the ability to be a 360 Degree Leader, people must learn to lead up with their leader, lead across with their colleagues, and lead down with their followers. Leading up is the process of influencing your leader. For example; giving ideas, advice or opinions from a lower level. Influencing your leaders can help them get a better understanding of what their followers need. Leading in the middle of an organization are leaders of leaders; meaning these leaders help their peers achieve positive results, encourage each other to work towards a common goal, and have mutual respect for one another. Leaders at the top have to lead down in order to help people realize their potential, become a strong role model, and encourage others to become a part of a higher purpose. This means getting more involved in the lower levels; walking through the halls, transferring your vision, convince them of a common goal and always reward results. There are many myths and challenges that every organization faces. Most myths that Maxwell talks about are very common. For example; the position myth, people believe they must have a certain title to lead. The destination myth, people believe they cannot lead until they get to the top. The “on-top” myth, based on the belief...