“Leadershift” by John C. Maxwell, published in 2019, is a guide for leaders to adapt and evolve to remain effective in a rapidly changing world. The term “leadershift” refers to the critical adjustments leaders must make to stay relevant and influential. Maxwell identifies eleven critical “leadershifts” necessary for contemporary leaders, offering concrete advice and actions to implement these changes.

Key Point: Transitioning from operating as a lone achiever to becoming a team leader who enables others to perform.

Example: Maxwell illustrates the difference between a soloist violinist and a conductor of an orchestra. While the soloist is focused on personal performance, the conductor ensures the collective performance of the ensemble.

Actionable Advice: To implement this shift, leaders should focus on the development and success of their team members. Regularly conduct team meetings where everyone’s contributions are recognized and aligned towards common goals.

Key Point: Shifting from setting achievement-focused goals to fostering personal and professional growth.

Example: Maxwell shares his own experience of moving from simply setting business goals to creating a growth plan that incorporated reading, learning, and developing new skills.

Actionable Advice: Leaders should create a personal growth plan with specific activities such as reading books, attending workshops, and seeking mentorship to continually expand their skill set and knowledge base.

Key Point: Recognizing that effective leadership often involves personal sacrifice rather than seeking perks and privileges.

Example: Maxwell recounts how he turned down lucrative speaking engagements in order to invest more time in mentoring his team.

Actionable Advice: Leaders should evaluate where they can contribute more by sacrificing certain personal benefits. For instance, allocate more time to coaching team members rather than attending high-profile industry events.

Key Point: Moving from advancing personal career objectives to building pathways that help others climb the organizational ladder.

Example: Maxwell narrates how he used to focus on his achievements but later realized the importance of mentoring others, significantly impacting their career progression.

Actionable Advice: Initiate mentorship programs in the organization. Regularly identify and assist potential leaders within the team by providing them with resources and guidance needed to advance.

Key Point: Transitioning from making decisions to be liked and accepted to making decisions that challenge and inspire people to grow.

Example: Maxwell illustrates this with a scenario where a leader who once avoided conflict starts engaging in honest and direct conversations to foster growth and improvement.

Actionable Advice: Leaders should drive their teams forward by setting challenging but realistic expectations and providing constructive feedback. Develop a culture where open, honest communication is encouraged, and people feel safe to take risks.

Key Point: Moving from relying on positional power to leading by example and moral authority.

Example: Maxwell tells the story of how he had to rely on his character and ethical conduct to gain influence rather than his formal title or position in the hierarchy.

Actionable Advice: Leaders should practice what they preach, consistently demonstrating integrity and ethical behavior. Engage in self-reflection and solicit feedback to ensure alignment between words and actions.

Key Point: Shift focus from maintaining the status quo to creating impactful and innovative changes.

Example: Maxwell describes how a leader revitalized a stagnant organization by introducing new thinking, embracing creativity, and fostering a culture of innovation.

Actionable Advice: Leaders should encourage experimentation and creative thinking within their teams. Establish innovation incubators or think-tanks where team members can propose and test new ideas.

Key Point: Transition from simply being involved in activities to being deeply invested emotionally and strategically.

Example: Maxwell relates to an instance where he moved from merely attending meetings to actively shaping and guiding the agenda and outcomes.

Actionable Advice: Leaders should embed themselves deeply in their projects and teams, understanding the nuances and taking personal responsibility for successes and failures. Consistently show commitment and passion in every endeavor.

Key Point: Moving from seeking approval to building deeper, more growth-oriented relationships.

Example: Maxwell shares how he learned to value deep relationships over superficial connections, which ultimately led to greater mutual trust and respect.

Actionable Advice: Invest time in building meaningful relationships with team members. Engage in activities outside of the usual work environment to build deeper connections and understand team members on a personal level.

Key Point: Shifting from a mindset of scarcity and maintenance to one of abundance and creation.

Example: Maxwell recounts how he restructured a tight budget to focus on projects that created new opportunities and fostered growth, rather than just maintaining existing structures.

Actionable Advice: Leaders should adopt a growth mindset and look for opportunities to expand rather than just sustain. Encourage resourcefulness and creative problem-solving to identify new avenues for growth.

Key Point: Recognizing the importance of timing and making strategic decisions based on the opportune moment rather than a fixed schedule.

Example: Maxwell illustrates this point through a scenario where a leader made a timely market entry decision that led to significant competitive advantage.

Actionable Advice: Leaders should stay attuned to industry trends and organizational dynamics to make decisions at the most effective times. Use strategic foresight to anticipate and capitalize on opportunities.

In “Leadershift,” John C. Maxwell provides a comprehensive roadmap for leaders striving to adapt to the current dynamic and complex business world. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, Maxwell emphasizes the importance of agility, continual growth, and fostering deeper relationships. By adopting the eleven leadershifts, leaders can enhance their influence, inspire their teams, and drive meaningful change. Implementing these shifts involves specific actions such as developing personal growth plans, initiating mentorship programs, encouraging innovation, and consistently demonstrating ethical leadership. The book serves as a valuable guide for any leader looking to navigate the challenges of modern leadership effectively.