Reading is probably one of my favorite pastimes. Always has been. I was blessed with a mom who thankfully instilled a love for reading and always made time for a trip to the local library.
Unfortunately, this means I have developed the bad habit of reading several books at one time. One look at my desk and you would surely believe me. This summer I vowed I would finish the books sitting longest on my desk.
And so, I picked back up John C. Maxwell’s, The 5 Levels of Leadership to resume where I had left off. As I began reading, I wondered why had I ever stopped?
This is a great book in which the author discusses and outlines not only the levels of leadership but proven steps to maximize your potential. The five levels are:
- Position. People follow because they have to.
- Permission. People follow because they want to.
- Production. People follow because of what you have done for the organization.
- People Development. People follow because of what you have done for them personally.
- Pinnacle. People follow because of who you are and what you represent.
While the entire book is filled with practical and wise information, this week I discovered the answer to my question – I had stopped reading because I needed to read these words at this time:
“The goal in life is not to live forever. The goal in life is to create something that does.” (page 24)
We are all leaders of one sort or another. As a spouse, a parent, an employee, a volunteer, and as a friend. We all influence others. Each of us has something of value to pass on to others, especially to the next generation.
Funny to be reading this while in the midst of watching The Summer Olympics. We are all familiar with the races. Each runner has a leg of the race to run; then, she hands off a baton to the runner who follows her. Paul wrote to Timothy to give him a picture of how he had passed on the baton through the years:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Paul had run his race throughout his life at maximum speed and was handing off the baton to younger Timothy.
I had just discovered the reason it had taken me so long to finish this book. John Maxwell offers such wise steps to leaving a positive legacy:
- “Recognize that what you do daily, over time, becomes your legacy.” Look at the very things you do repeatedly. Do them well for they will leave an impact and our desire is to leave a positive impact.
- “Decide now what you want your legacy to be.” Ask yourself today, “How do you want to be remembered?” The answer to that question will guide you each day in the way you interact with others.
- “Understand that a legacy is the sum of your whole life.” Your legacy is not the one mistake or failure you may have experienced. Often, those failures is what put us on the right track.
Such needed words on legacy for every one of us. The book is a wonderful resource – encouraging, wise, and uplifting. It truly will give readers a clear picture of leadership, how it works, and steps to further grow as a leader.
Today I am joining … Moments of Hope and #SmallWonder and #LifeGiving and Literacy Musing Mondays .
I’m sure very few of us want to be remembered as the person with the largest bank account or the most successful career. Yet those things are largely the focus of our society today. If we really thought about how we want to be remembered and the kind of legacy we want to leave, it would change the way we live.
Thanks for sharing about this book. It sounds like a must-read.
Blessings,
Patti, visiting from Moments of Hope
Patti, I so agree. The world will try to push us into pursuing things which will not last. John Maxwell did a wonderful job at reminding us to think about our legacy now. We are leaving it every day. Blessings!
What an image, Joanne. So grateful for your point that Paul was passing on the baton to Timothy- never thought of it using the very illustration Paul gives about the race. That so clarifies the picture. Will be thinking on this one with a smile, as I’m sure I’ll remember it : ) Thank you!
Bethany, I am so glad the analogy spoke to you as it did to me. It is amazing the lessons which we can pull from watching the Olympics 🙂 Blessings!
I love John Maxwell’s books. There are times I question why I read his leadership material because I’m no official leader anywhere. But you’re right: we all are leaders of one sort or another. I also read several books at once, but since it keeps me always reading, I consider it a good habit. 🙂 Thanks for sharing these jewels, Joanne!
Lisa, it is amazing how his books are applicable in such practical and wise ways to all our lives. And I am so glad to read that several books at once is a good habit 🙂 and continue to join you in so doing!
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing this book with us! It’s been a long time since I read John Maxwell, but his stuff is always good. I’m stopping by from the Literacy Musing Mondays linkup.
I liked this one of his the best. But then it is because I just finished it. I am sure I have felt that way about his others as well 🙂
Joanne, you had me at the title, “Leaving a Positive Legacy!” And then John Maxwell, who is one of the pastors at my church! All of his books and sermons are filled with practical and intentional. The 3 steps are so inspiring and take a lot of daily work, but so very worth it. I felt my adrenaline rising just reading this post…you are speaking my language! Loved this:) Crystal
Crystal, you are blessed indeed to sit under him! His words are practical and intention and applicable which is what I so enjoyed in this book.
Sometimes I get frustrated that my husband is often the “fun parent” and our kids take after his more science-y interests, but when I see us all sitting down gorging on books after a trip to the library and when my daughter says, “Mom, this is a really good book, I want to recommend it to someone,” I smile. A love for books and story is a big part of my legacy.
Amen, Kelly. You are surely leaving a legacy. And you made such an important point – we all leave our own legacy. May we not compare ourselves and strive to leave a legacy that is not ours. Grateful you shared.
Joanne, how ironic I would run across this post. I’m speaking at a leadership conference this weekend and I’m going to see if I can find some of this material online (I’m a member of RightNow media and they have lots of John’s stuff.)
Anyway love the quote about legacy: “Recognize that what you do daily, over time, becomes your legacy.” Look at the very things you do repeatedly. Do them well for they will leave an impact and our desire is to leave a positive impact.” Definitely food for thought.
Jerralea, I am so glad the post was timely. Praying for you this morning 🙂
Hi Joanne,
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Global Leadership Summit at our Church’s satellite site. John Maxwell was one of the speakers and he blew me away! Our church really pushes attendance at this summit because it is true, we are all leaders and we all benefit from growing and strengthening that role! Loved this post today, friend! Thank you so much for sharing it alongside me at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori, it is true. We all need to grow and strengthen in our roles continually. May we be perpetual students. It is always good to join you!