BEYOND TALENTS

Quote from the Book

“Death isn’t the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside of us while we live” (p.39)

The Author

John Maxwell authored this book in 2007. Maxwell was born in Garden City, Michigan in 1947. An evangelical Christian, he followed his father into the ministry. He completed a Bachelor’s degree at Ohio Christian University in 1969, a Master of Divinity degree at Azusa Pacific University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Theological Seminary. He currently resides in South Florida with his wife, Margaret. Maxwell is a leadership expert, speaker, and author. He is the founder of INJOY, Maximum Impact, The John Maxwell Team, ISS, and EQUIP. EQUIP is an international leadership development organization working to help leaders, involved with leaders from more than 80 nations. Its mission is “to see effective Christian leaders fulfill the Great Commission in every nation”. Maxwell speaks annually to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and organizations as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point and the National Football League. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, he was one of 25 authors named to Amazon.com‘s 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame. Three of his books, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, have each sold over a million copies.

Insights from the Book

In this book, John C. Maxwell shows that talent is just the starting point for a successful impact in any organization. It is what takes you beyond your talent that matters. People everywhere are proving him right. Read the headlines, watch the highlights, or just step out your front door; some talented people reach their full potential, while others self-destruct or remain trapped in mediocrity. What makes the difference? Maxwell insists that the choices people make–not merely the skills they inherit-propel them to greatness. Among other truths, successful people know that: Belief lifts their talent. Initiative activates their talent; Focus directs their talent; Preparation positions their talent; Practice sharpens their talent; Perseverance sustains their talent; Character protects their talent. It’s what you add to your talent that makes the greatest difference.

With authentic examples and time-tested wisdom, Maxwell shares thirteen attributes you need to maximize your potential and live the life of your dreams. You can have talent alone and fall short of your potential. Or you can go beyond talent and really stand out. The main challenge in this book for the reader is to choose to become a talent-plus person. He insists that if you do, you will add value to yourself, add value to others, and accomplish much more than you dreamed was possible.