The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

“Follow Them and People Will Follow You”

John C. Maxwell
Presented by Joe Perillo
 “Leaders are the key to
unlocking an organization's
potential for greatness”.
 Four Levels of Principle-Centered
 
Leadership
 Four Levels of Principle-Centered
 
Leadership
 Four Levels of Principle-Centered
 
Leadership
 Four Levels of Principle-Centered
 
Leadership
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
1. The Law of the Lid
2. The Law of Influence
3. The Law of Process
4. The Law of Navigation
5. The Law of Addition
6. The Law of Solid Ground
7. The Law of Respect
8. The Law of Intuition
9. The Law of Magnetism
10. The Law of Connection
11. The Law of the Inner Circle
12. The Law of Empowerment
13. The Law of the Big Picture
14. The Law of the Buy-In
15. The Law of Victory
16. The Law of The Big Momentum
17. The Law of Priorities
18. The Law of Sacrifice
19. The Law of Timing
20. The Law of Explosive Growth
21. The Law of Legacy
1) Law of the Lid
“Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness”

 Leadership ability determines a

person’s level of effectiveness.
– The higher you want to
climb the more you need
leadership
– The greater the impact you
want to make – the greater
your influence needs to be
 Leadership ability is the LID
that determines a person’s level
of effectiveness.
Law of the Lid
“Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness”

 Good leaders will look

for Lid Lifting
experiences to grow in
their leadership capacity
– Seek opportunities to
grow your leadership
– Search for opportunities
to improve organizational
structures and procedures
– Seize opportunities to
create greater efficiencies
and to assist others in
lifting their lids
Law of the Lid
“Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness”

 Every Leader has

Lids
– Everyone is born
with Lids; titles and
positions do not
eliminate them
– The issue is not do
you have Lids but
what are you going
to do about them
 What are the Lids
leaders face?
Lids that Leaders Can Face
 Fear
 Impatience
 Denial
 Impulsiveness
 Deceit
 Jealously
 Anger
 Confidence
 Lack of Knowledge
 Lack of Understanding
 Peoples’ perception of them
 What are your Leadership
Lids?
  Ineffective-Positional
Law of the Lid Leaders:
– Title of a leader but without
trust or rapport from their
followers
– They stay as positional
leaders because they do not
see the value in building
relationships, trust, and
rapport with their followers
– They are a big liability to
the organization
– They demand compliance
which
• Rubs people the wrong
way
• Decreases motivation
• If followers do work it is
out of obligation
 They do not seek to grow!
Some Lids can be lifted by the Leader
 The leader must first lift
his/her Lids before s/he
can grow the organization
– In order to grow an
organization leaders must
also grow the leaders they
serve
– You grow leaders by
helping them to lift their
lids
 How have you helped lift
some lids from leaders,
and staff in your
organization.
Lid Lifters
 Lid Lifters always
demonstrate three qualities
that enables them to help
leaders go to the next level.
– Their words: The
encouragement they express
– Their actions: The
commitment to backing up
their words
– Their Sacrifice: The
selflessness that allows
another leader to go to the
next level even if it means
ahead of themselves

Who are the LID LIFTERS in your life?

Law of the Lid  Effective-True Leaders:
– Take time to build relationships
with their followers by
• Paying attention to the
interests and passions of
their followers
• Seeking to gain trust and
rapport
• Investing time with their
employees, and
• Being a Lid Lifter
 In your leadership have you been a
lid lifter?

"Outstanding leaders go out of the way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If
people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish."
                -- Sam Walton
2) THE LAW OF INFLUENCE
“The True Measurement of Leadership Is Influence – Nothing More,
Nothing Less”

 What platform have you built for performance?

– What is your track record?
– What daily actions enhance your ability to influence
your organization?
 Leadership Lesson:
– “True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed or
assigned. It comes from influence.”
• Status Quo = Management / Change = Influence

“Leadership Through Influence and not Influence

Through Leadership” Joe Perillo
People Will Follow Great Leaders
 There is a saying, “it is
far more impressive to
see a flock of sheep
following a lion rather
than a lion following a
flock of sheep”.
Myths About Leadership and
Influence…
 The Management Myth
– Leaders may manage, but managers aren’t
leaders.
 The Entrepreneurial Myth
– Leaders may be entrepreneurial, but
entrepreneurs aren’t necessarily leaders.
 The Pioneer Myth
– Leaders may be pioneers, but pioneers often
are not leaders.
Myths About Leadership and
Influence…

 The Knowledge Myth

– Leaders are knowledgeable, but knowledge doesn’t
make a leader.
 The Position Myth
– Leaders may hold important positions, but a position
doesn’t make a leader.
 The Sonority Myth
– Leaders may have many year of seniority in their
positions, but seniority doesn’t make a leader.
Leadership…
 Leadership can be offered; then it must be
taken.
 Leadership skills can be learned; character
comes from within.
 Bosses give orders and expect compliance;
leaders give vision and expect competency.
 Leaders share information openly and
expect the leadership base to broaden.

lng
3) THE LAW OF PROCESS
“Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day”

 Company level success is about the long

haul.
 The secret of our success is found in our
daily agenda – what we do everyday.
 Leadership Lesson:
– “Successful Leaders are learners – Get a little
better everyday.”
THE LAW OF PROCESS
“Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day”
 PHASE 1:
– I don’t know what I don’t know
 Phase 2:
– I know what I don’t know
 Phase 3:
– I grow and know and it starts to show
 Phase 4:
– I simply go because of what I know
THE LAW OF PROCESS
“Leadership
“Leadership Develops
Develops Daily,
Daily, Not
Not in
in aa Day”
Day”

LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
UNAWARE

I Don’t Know I Simply Go

Because of What I
What I Don’t Know Know
AWARE

I Know I Grow and Know

What I Don’t Know It Starts to Show
4) THE LAW OF NAVIGATION
“Anyone
“Anyone Can
Can Steer
Steer the
the Ship,
Ship, But
But It
It Takes a Leader to Chart the Course”

 Good leaders remain focused

 Good leaders have a VISION
 Good leaders keep in mind others are
depending on their ability to chart a good
course
 Leadership Lesson:
– “Leaders must chart the path for Company
success / effectiveness.”
THE LAW OF NAVIGATION
“Anyone Can Steer the Ship, But It Takes a Leader to Chart the Course”

 HOW CAN A LEADER IMPROVE?

– Draw on past successes / fail to learn from the
past and you will fail again.
– LISTEN:
• The past will never tell you all you need to know for
the present
– LISTEN:
• Seek multiple sources – seek information
– Inside the organization and out
THE LAW OF NAVIGATION
“Anyone Can Steer the Ship, But It Takes a Leader to Chart the Course”

 CHARTING THE COURSE OF CHANGE:

– P – Predetermine a course of action
– L – Lay out your goals
– A – Adjust your priorities
– N – Notify key people/personnel
– A – Allow time for acceptance
– H – Head into a direction
– E – Expect problems (attempt to forecast)
– A – Always point to successes
– D – Daily, review your plan - (Review, Revise, Update)
5) THE LAW OF ADDITION
“It Takes a Leader to Raise Up a Leader”
 Three (3) reasons people choose to be
leaders:
– Gifting
– Crisis
– Influence of another
 Leadership Lesson:
– “It takes one to know one, show one and grow
one.”
THE LAW OF ADDITION
“It Takes a Leader to Raise Up a Leader”

 Successful leaders who develop others:

– See the big picture
– Attract potential leaders
– Create an environment for success by:
• Casting a vision
• Offering incentives
• Encouraging creativity
• Allowing for risks
• And providing accountability
As you practice this law, you become a
PARENT. Good parents approach their kids
with…
– P – Purpose (They don’t pass on truth accidentally. )
– A – Assessment (They evaluate where their children need
to grow and where they’re strong.)
– R – Relationship (They are warm and approachable. They
furnish love and safe places.)
– E – Empowerment (They provide their kids the
confidence and competence they need.)
– N – Navigation (They give direction to their kids and help
get them to their destination.)
– T – Tools (They furnish the tools they need to win in life.
They resource them as a mentor.)
6) THE LAW OF SOLID GROUND
“Trust is the Foundation of Leadership”
 How do leaders build trust within the Company?
– They MUST Exemplify:
• Competence
• Connection
• Character
 Leadership Lesson:
– “When it comes to leadership, you can’t take shortcuts,
no matter how long you’ve been leading your people.”
– “Trust is the leaders most precious asset”
THE LAW OF SOLID GROUND
“Trust is the Foundation of Leadership”
 A leaders trust relates to his/her character which communicates
a number of things:
– Consistency – predictability
– Potential – What you can and have achieved
– Respect – Sound decisions, admitting mistakes, putting the
company first
 Trust is maintained by (through times of change):
– Assembling the company
– Describing the vision
– Addressing their questions
– Guiding the Company through
– Allowing Company level influence
What Followers Want In A Leader:

 They want to see COMMITMENT in their

leader.

 They want to feel a CONNECTION to

their leader.

 They want to make a CONTRIBUTION

with their leader.
What Followers Want In A Leader:

 They want to see CONTRITION from

their leader.

 They want to spot CONVICTIONS in their

leader.

 They want to join a CAUSE with their

leader.
What Followers Want In A Leader:

 They want to see CONSISTENCY in their

leader.

 They want to see CONFIDENCE in their

leader.

 They want to sense COURAGE from their

leader.
7) THE LAW OF RESPECT
“People Naturally Follow Leaders Stronger Than Themselves”

Leaders go their own way when a group first comes

together.

4
10 9
5
7 2
3
1
8 6
THE LAW OF RESPECT
“People Naturally Follow Leaders Stronger Than Themselves”

Soon people change direction to follow the strongest leaders.

4
10
5
7 2
3
1
8
THE LAW OF RESPECT
“People Naturally Follow Leaders Stronger Than Themselves”

People naturally align themselves and follow leaders stronger

than themselves.

10

9 8 7 6

5 4 3 2 1
THE LAW OF RESPECT
“People Naturally Follow Leaders Stronger Than Themselves”

 LEADERSHIP LESSON:
– “The leader must know he knows, and must
be able to make it abundantly clear those
about him/her that he/she knows.”
– If I make my leadership capabilities clear,
they will follow.
8) THE LAW OF INTUITION
“Leaders Evaluate Everything with a Leadership Bias”

 Leaders intuition is based on (3) things:

– Facts
– Instinct
– Intangible factors
 leadership Lesson:
– “Great leaders see things others can’t, make
changes and move forward before others know
what’s happening.”
THE LAW OF INTUITION
“Leaders Evaluate Everything with a Leadership Bias”

 Leaders Must:
– Read the situation
– Read the trends
– Read the resources (Look beyond boundaries)
– Read the people
– Be readers of themselves (Know your abilities)
 All Leaders have bias – Who you are dictates what
you see.
9) THE LAW OF MAGNETISM
“Who You Are Is Who You Trust”
 leaders attract people who exhibit the same
qualities.
– Your Company will reflect your abilities.
 Leadership Lesson:
– “If you think your people are negative, then you
better check your attitude.”
THE LAW OF MAGNETISM
“Who You Are Is Who You Trust”
 Evaluate your Company:
– Attitude
– Generation
Look at the
– Background long term
– Values make-up of
– Life Experiences your company.
– Leadership Ability
 The better leader you are, the better leaders you
will attract.
10) THE LAW OF CONNECTION
“Leaders Touch a Heart Before They Ask for a Hand”

 Leaders must learn to connect with their

people.
– See the potential,
– Support the potential.
 Leadership Lesson:
– “People don’t care how much you know until
they know how much you care.”
THE LAW OF CONNECTION
“Leaders Touch a Heart Before They Ask for a Hand”

 Leaders must become personal:

– Positional Leaders – direct / dictate
– Successful Leaders – connect w/ followers
 To lead yourself, use your head; to lead
others, use your heart.
 leaders can’t move people to action until
they first move them with emotion.
 leaders should first give before they
demand others to give.
11) THE LAW OF THE INNER CIRCLE
“A Leader’s Potential Is Determined by Those Closest to Him”

 The potential of a leader is determined by the

people around him/her.
– The right people =
• Potential / Company Effectiveness
– The wrong people =
• Potential / Company Effectiveness
 Leadership Lesson:
– “The leader finds greatness in the group and he/she
helps members find it in themselves.”
When choosing your INNER CIRCLE,
look for the following qualities:

INFLUENCIAL CHARACTER
NURTURING INTUITIVE
NETWORKER RESPONSIVE
EMPOWERING COMPETENT
RESOURCEFUL LOYAL
ENERGETIC
Hire the best staff you can find, develop them as much as
you can, and hand off everything you possibly can to them.
THE LAW OF THE INNER CIRCLE
“A Leader’s Potential Is Determined by Those Closest to Him”

Taking the Company to the next level

3 Best Members
Move In New
2 Better Members
Team New Company
members in 3 1 Good Members
Phases
3 Top Third
Move Out
Original Team 2 Middle Third Old Company
members in 3 1 Bottom Third
Phases

*To be a successful leader, you must surround yourself with good people.
12) THE LAW OF EMPOWERMENT
“Only Secure Leaders Give Powers to Others”

 A company’s ability to achieve is determined by their

leaders ability to empower.
– Failure to empower – People give up
 Why Leaders Fail to Empower Others:
– Job security
– Resistance to change
– Lack of self-worth
 Leadership Lesson:
– “Great things happen only when you give others
credit.”
13) THE LAW OF THE BIG PICTURE
“People Do What People See”

 Do people listen when you talk?

– Formal leader – The Chief Officer
– Informal leader – Team Members
 Leadership Lesson:
– “Leaders must remember, it’s not where you
start out, but where you end up.”

“Trust is the Foundation of Leadership”

THE LAW OF THE BIG PICTURE
“People Do What People See”
Understanding Why Leaders Excel:

– Character – Experience
• Who they are • Where they’ve been
– Relationships – Past Successes
• Who they know • What they’ve done
– Knowledge – Ability
• What they know • What they can do
– Intuition
• What they feel

“Trust is the Foundation of Leadership”

THE LAW OF THE BIG PICTURE
“People Do What People See”
 Relevance: People listen to us because we
identify with their needs.
 Insight: People listen to us because of what
we know.
 Vulnerability: People listen to us because
we are genuinely transparent.
 Experience: People listen to us because
we’ve succeeded in the past.
THE LAW OF THE BIG PICTURE
“People Do What People See”
 Humility: People listen to us when we
incarnate meekness.
 Competence: People listen to us because of
our abilities and expertise.
 Courage: People listen to us when we
demonstrate conviction.
 Value: People listen to us because we make
them feel that they are important to us.
14) THE LAW OF BUY-IN
“People Buy Into the Leader, Then the Vision”

 Rules of Buy-In:
– The leader finds the dream and then the people. The
People find the leader, and then the dream.
– People don’t follow worthy causes, they follow worthy
leaders who promote worthwhile causes.
 Leadership Lesson:
– “Become a strong leader, back a worthwhile cause and
the people will follow.”
THE LAW OF BUY-IN
“People Buy Into the Leader, Then the Vision”
LEADER + VISION = RESULT:

LEADER + VISION = RESULT

Don’t Buy In Don’t Buy In Get Another Leader

Don’t Buy In Buy In Get Another Leader

Buy In Don’t Buy In Get Another Vision

Buy In Buy In Get Behind the Leader

15) THE LAW OF VICTORY
“Leaders Find a Way for the Team to Win”
 When the pressure is on, great leaders are at their
best. Whatever is inside them comes to the
surface.
– Leaders must always find a way for the Company to win.
 Leadership Lesson:
– Components of Company Success:
• Unit of vision
• Diversity of skills
• A leader dedicated to victory and raising others to their
potential
16) THE LAW OF MOMENTUM
“Momentum Is a Leader’s Best Friend”

 The keys to Company momentum:

– Preparation
– Motivation
 Momentum =
– Future is bright
– Obstacles appear small;
– And trouble seems temporary
 Leadership Lesson:
– “If you can’t make some heat, get out of the seat.”
THE LAW OF MOMENTUM
“Momentum Is a Leader’s Best Friend”

 Remember:
Momentum changes peoples perspective
+ Momentum – Any change is possible
+ Momentum – Creates motivation
+ Momentum – Creates higher performance
levels for everyone involved
17) THE LAW OF PRIORITIES
“Leaders Understand That Activity Is Not Necessarily
Accomplishment”

 The Pareto Principle:

• Focus on the top 20 percent for an 80 percent return
 The 3 R’s of Prioritization:
• What is required of you – delegate other task.
• What gives the greatest return to the Company
• What brings the greatest reward to the Company
 Leadership Lesson:
– Activity is not necessarily accomplishment. If you
want to continue to be effective, you must prioritize.”
18) THE LAW OF SACRIFICE
“A Leader Must Give Up to Go Up”
 As a leader you must set the example when your
in a position of leadership, people will follow your
every move.
– Sacrifice is CONSTANT
– As a leader you lose the right to think about yourself.
 Leadership Lesson:
– “If a leader gives up to go up, they they have to give up
even more to stay up.”
THE LAW OF SACRIFICE
Leaders Must Sacrifice…

– Pride – Money
– Control – Popularity
– Comfort – Familiar
– Impatience surroundings
– Self-sufficiency – Status
– Identity – Time
– Possessions
19) THE LAW OF TIMING
“When to Lead Is As Important As What to Do and Where to Go”

 Leader Actions:
• Wrong action at the wrong time leads to disaster
• The right action at the wrong time brings resistance
• The wrong action at the right time is a mistake
• The right action at the right time results in success.
 Leadership Lesson:
– “If a Leader repeatedly shows poor judgment even in
little things, people start to think that having him/her as
a leader is the real mistake.”
THE LAW OF TIMING
“When
“When to
to Lead
Lead Is
Is As
As Important
Important As
As What
What to
to Do
Do and
and Where
Where to
to Go”
Go”

THE
THE RESULTS
RESULTS OF
OF TIMING
TIMING
Wrong Action Right Action
Wrong Time Wrong Time
TIMING

DISASTER RESISTANCE

Wrong Action Right Action

Right Time Right Time
MISTAKE SUCCESS
20) THE LAW OF EXPLOSIVE GROWTH
“To Add Growth, Lead Followers, To Multiply, Lead Leaders”

 It’s the Leaders job to build the people who

are going to build the department.
 Leadership Lesson:
– “The key to organizational success is the
development of leaders. You do that by
building up people.”
THE LAW OF EXPLOSIVE GROWTH
“To Add Growth, Lead Followers, To Multiply, Lead Leaders”

Developing Followers:

LEADER

Follower

*Developing a Follower, simply adds one.

 THE LAW OF EXPLOSIVE GROWTH
“To Add Growth, Lead Followers, To Multiply, Lead Leaders”

Developing Leaders:
LEADER

LEADER

Follower LEADER LEADER Follower

Follower Follower
Follower Follower
Follower Follower
21) THE LAW OF LEGACY
“A Leader’s Lasting Value Is Measured by Succession”

 Leader Legacy Is Developed By:

• Lead the Company with a long view (Vision)
• Create a Leadership Culture
• Pay the price to assure success tomorrow
• Value team leadership above individual leadership
• Walk away from the Company with integrity
 Leadership Lesson:
– “A leaders legacy is created ONLY when a person puts
the Company into the position to do great things
WITHOUT him/her.”
IN SUMMERY
 REMEMBER THIS:
 People determine the potential of the Company
 Relationships determine the morale of the Company
 Structure determines the size the Company
 Vision determines the direction of the Company
The Leader determines the success of the
Company
 Presentation Developed By:
Joe Perillo

THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP

By:
John C. Maxwell
1998
Thomas Nelson Publishers