Top 10 Takeaways from Running With the Giants by John Maxwell
Running With the Giants by John Maxwell is a book about leadership. In this book, Maxwell shares his insights on what it takes to be a successful leader. He draws on his own experiences as a leader, as well as the experiences of other great leaders, to provide a practical and inspiring guide to leadership.
Here are the top 10 takeaways from Running With the Giants:
- Leaders are readers.
- Leaders are learners.
- Leaders are mentors.
- Leaders are servants.
- Leaders are passionate.
- Leaders are positive.
- Leaders are communicators.
- Leaders are risk-takers.
- Leaders are visionaries.
If you want to be a successful leader, I encourage you to read Running With the Giants. It is a book that will challenge you and inspire you to become a better leader.
II. Takeaway 1
Takeaway 1: The most important thing in life is not to be successful, but to be significant.
John Maxwell argues that the most important thing in life is not to be successful, but to be significant. He defines significance as making a difference in the lives of others. He believes that we all have the potential to be significant, but it takes effort and commitment.
Maxwell offers a number of ways to become more significant, including:
- Serving others
- Leading others
- Inspiring others
- Teaching others
- Empowering others
He encourages us to think about how we can make a difference in the lives of others, and to take steps to make it happen.
If you want to be successful, you need to focus on being significant. When you make a difference in the lives of others, you are not only making a difference in the world, but you are also making a difference in your own life.
III. Takeaway 2
Takeaway 2: The most important thing in life is not to be successful, but to be significant.
Maxwell argues that success is often fleeting, while significance is lasting. He says that a successful person is someone who achieves their goals, while a significant person is someone who makes a difference in the world.
He encourages us to focus on making a difference in the world, rather than simply achieving our own goals. He says that when we focus on significance, we will find that success will follow.
This is a powerful message that can help us to live our lives with more purpose and meaning. When we focus on making a difference in the world, we are not only making a difference for others, but we are also making a difference for ourselves.
Takeaway 4
Leaders must be able to think strategically and plan for the future. They need to be able to see the big picture and understand how their decisions will impact the long-term success of their organization.
This means that leaders need to be able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems. They also need to be able to anticipate challenges and make plans to overcome them.
By thinking strategically, leaders can help their organizations to achieve their goals and make a lasting impact on the world.
V. Takeaway 5
The fifth takeaway from Running With the Giants is that leaders must be able to think strategically. This means being able to see the big picture and understand how the different parts of your organization work together. It also means being able to anticipate challenges and develop plans to overcome them.
Strategic thinking is a critical skill for leaders at all levels, but it is especially important for senior leaders who are responsible for making decisions that affect the entire organization. When you are able to think strategically, you can make decisions that are in the best interests of the organization and that will help it achieve its goals.
Here are some tips for developing your strategic thinking skills:
- Read books and articles about strategic thinking.
- Take courses on strategic planning.
- Network with other leaders who are skilled in strategic thinking.
- Practice strategic thinking in your own work.
By developing your strategic thinking skills, you can become a more effective leader and help your organization achieve its goals.
VII. Takeaway 6
Leaders must be able to think strategically. This means being able to see the big picture and understand how the different parts of an organization fit together. It also means being able to plan for the future and anticipate challenges.
To develop your strategic thinking skills, you can read books on the subject, take courses, or find a mentor who can help you learn. You can also practice thinking strategically by playing games like chess or Go, or by working on puzzles.
Strategic thinking is a critical skill for leaders at all levels. It can help you make better decisions, lead your team more effectively, and achieve your goals.
Takeaway 7: Be willing to sacrifice
One of the most important things that John Maxwell emphasizes in his book “Running With the Giants” is the importance of sacrifice. He says that in order to achieve great things, we must be willing to give up something of value. This could mean sacrificing our time, our money, or our comfort. However, if we are willing to make these sacrifices, we will be rewarded with great success.
Maxwell gives many examples of people who have achieved great things through sacrifice. He talks about Abraham Lincoln, who sacrificed his personal comfort and safety to fight for the abolition of slavery. He also talks about Martin Luther King, Jr., who sacrificed his life to fight for civil rights. These are just a few examples of the many people who have achieved great things through sacrifice.
If you want to achieve great things in your life, you need to be willing to sacrifice. This doesn’t mean that you have to give up everything, but it does mean that you need to be willing to give up something of value. When you are willing to make sacrifices, you are showing that you are committed to your goals and that you are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve them.
Takeaway 9
The ninth takeaway from Running With the Giants is that we should never stop learning. The world is constantly changing, and we need to keep up if we want to stay ahead. This means reading books, taking courses, and attending conferences. It also means being open to new ideas and experiences. When we stop learning, we stop growing.
The most important thing is to keep moving forward. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t achieve your goals overnight. Just keep taking steps in the right direction, and eventually you will reach your destination.