Experts > John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell's Top Book Recommendations

Author, Founder/The John Maxwell Company

Want to know what books John C. Maxwell recommends on their reading list? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of John C. Maxwell's favorite book recommendations of all time.

1
You can go after the job you want—and get it!
You can take the job you have—and improve it!
You can take any situation—and make it work for you!

Dale Carnegie’s rock-solid, time-tested advice has carried countless people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives. One of the most groundbreaking and timeless bestsellers of all time, How to Win Friends & Influence People will teach you:

-Six ways to make people like you
-Twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking
-Nine ways to change people without arousing...
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Dustin MoskovitzSeek to be understood. (Source)

Scott Adams[Scott Adams recommends this book on his "Persuasion Reading List."] (Source)

Daymond JohnI love all the Dale Carnegie books. (Source)

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2
Richard J. Foster’s Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth is hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality with millions of copies sold since its original publication in 1978.

In Celebration of Discipline, Foster explores the "classic Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith to show how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life.

Foster, the bestselling author of several books (Prayer and Streams of Living Water) and intrachurch movement founder of...
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Recommended by John C. Maxwell, Ben Greenfield, and 2 others.

Ben GreenfieldIn the past 3 years, I’ve really begun to focus on the spiritual disciplines like #fasting, #meditation, #prayer, etc... AND I've been using the amazing book, "Celebration of Discipline", by Richard Foster to help me along my journey... Check it out here: https://t.co/tV4h280iiy (Source)

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3

Think and Grow Rich

One of the most popular personal development and self-improvement books of all time, Think and Grow Rich has sold over 100 million copies worldwide since its first publication during the Great Depression. In this hardcover edition, Napoleon Hill presents a "Philosophy of Achievement" in 13 principles drawn from the success stories of such greats as Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and other millionaires of his time.

Think and Grow Rich reveals the secrets that can bring you fortune. By suppressing negative thoughts and keeping your focus on...
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Daymond JohnThe main takeaway from [this book] was goal-setting. It was the fact that if you don't set a specific goal, then how can you expect to hit it? (Source)

Mark Moses[ listing the books that had the biggest impact on him] (Source)

Sa ElAnother book all about how to obtain financial success by changing how you think and how to change your actions based on that thinking pattern, mindset is the first thing that must change if you want to build a business. (Source)

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4
The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
316 pp. "Psychotherapy is all things to all people in this mega-selling pop-psychology watershed, which features a new introduction by the author in this 25th anniversary edition. His agenda in this tome, which was first published in 1978 but didn't become a bestseller until 1983, is to reconcile the psychoanalytic tradition with the conflicting cultural currents roiling the 70s. In the spirit of Me-Decade individualism and libertinism, he celebrates self-actualization as life's highest...
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Recommended by John C. Maxwell, Iulian Stanciu, and 3 others.

Iulian StanciuIt helps you take a deeper look and understand why certain things happen in your life. It's an introduction to psychology. It helps you divide a person, just like you would do with a mathematical equation. (Source)

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5
When Stephen Covey first released The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, the book became an instant rage because people suddenly got up and took notice that their lives were headed off in the wrong direction; and more than that, they realized that there were so many simple things they could do in order to navigate their life correctly. This book was wonderful education for people, education in how to live life effectively and get closer to the ideal of being a ‘success’ in life.

But not everyone understands Stephen Covey’s model fully well, or maybe there are some people who...
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Dustin Moskovitz[I] was surprised at how familiar the topics felt. (Source)

Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Kishore BiyaniImmensely helpful and influential during my early years, it explained some of the basic mindsets required to succeed in any profession. (Source)

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6

The Screwtape Letters

The story takes the form of a series of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew, a junior "tempter" named Wormwood, so as to advise him on methods of securing the damnation of a British man, known only as "the Patient".

Screwtape holds an administrative post in the bureaucracy ("Lowerarchy") of Hell, and acts as a mentor to Wormwood, the inexperienced tempter. In the body of the thirty-one letters which make up the book, Screwtape gives Wormwood detailed advice on various methods of undermining faith and promoting sin in the Patient, interspersed with observations on...
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Ed MorrisseyIn my Sunday reflections, I often refer back to arguments made by Lewis in The Screwtape Letters. The book is a brilliant, devastating, and entertaining disposition on... https://t.co/qPAHQHG6Hk (Source)

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7
The most trusted source of leadership wisdom, updated to address today's realities The Leadership Challenge is the gold-standard manual for effective leadership, grounded in research and written by the premier authorities in the field. With deep insight into the complex interpersonal dynamics of the workplace, this book positions leadership both as a skill to be learned, and as a relationship that must be nurtured to reach its full potential. This new sixth edition has been revised to address current challenges, and includes more international examples and a laser focus on... more

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8

Developing the Leader Within You 2.0

In this thoroughly revised and updated 25th-anniversary edition of his now-classic work, John C. Maxwell reveals how to develop the vision, value, influence, and motivation required of successful leaders.

Twenty-five years ago, John Maxwell published the book that forever transformed how we think about leadership. Developing the Leader Within You revolutionized the way leaders are made and in the process sold more than one million copies. Now John Maxwell returns to his classic text to include the leadership insights and practices he's learned in the...
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Recommended by John C. Maxwell, Sean Si, and 2 others.

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9
If you’ve never read The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, you’ve been missing out on one of the best-selling leadership books of all time. If you have read the original version, then you’ll love this new expanded and updated one. 

Internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author John C. Maxwell has taken this million-seller and made it even better: 

Every Law of Leadership has been sharpened and updated
Seventeen new leadership stories are included
Two new Laws of Leadership are introduced
New evaluation tool will reveal your...
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Dave Ramsey[Dave Ramsey recommended this book on his website.] (Source)

Lex Na Wei MingI remember during the days when I was in National Service, between the ages of 19 to 21. I had a lot of time on my hands. I managed to stumble upon the author by the name of John C Maxwell. He was really popular during that period of time and he had so many good titles like “Developing the leader with you.”, “Today Matters.”, “The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership.”. These series of books really... (Source)

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10

Halftime

Moving from Success to Significance

Updated and expanded for a new generation of leaders, Bob Buford's bestseller shows you how to make the second half of life more rewarding than the first.

Are you ready to move into the second half of your life? Bob Buford believes the second half of your life can be better than the first. Much better. But first, you need time to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life.

In Halftime, Buford focuses on this important time of transition--the time when, as he says, a person moves beyond the first half of the game of life....
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Recommended by John C. Maxwell, Tayo Oyedeji, and 3 others.

Tayo OyedejiThis book is literally forcing me to rethink my whole life. What a paradigm-shifting manuscript! Thanks for the awesome gift @feyiolubodun https://t.co/svDwqUfNGD (Source)

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Don't have time to read John C. Maxwell's favorite books? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
11

Jack

Straight from the Gut

Nearly 20 years ago, former General Electric CEO Reg Jones walked into Jack Welch's office and wrapped him in a bear hug. "Congratulations, Mr. Chairman", said Reg. It was a defining moment for American business. So begins the story of a self-made man and a self-described rebel who thrived in one of the most volatile and economically robust eras in U.S. history, while managing to maintain a unique leadership style. In what is the most anticipated book on business management for our time, Jack Welch surveys the landscape of his career running one of the world's largest and most successful... more

Warren BuffettIn his 2001 shareholder letter, Buffett gleefully endorses Jack: Straight from the Gut, a business memoir of longtime GE executive Jack Welch, whom Buffett describes as (Source)

Tudor MihailescuIn every industry, there would be many relevant books but nothing would replace being in touch with the customers and people in own organisation. It’s a vast of space to recommend books, but I would suggest that learning how proven entrepreneurs or managers have done this as a good start (read about Jake Welch – Straight from the Gut, Steve Jobs, Shoe Dog – Phil Knight or Elon Musk) – admittedly,... (Source)

Annika FalkengrenI read Jack Welch’s book back in 2003 and it was at the time a great source of inspiration. There were a couple of things that got stuck in my mind and in some cases changed my mind: that there are no shortcuts, that facts always must be faced no matter how brutal and that losing or failing had a value as long as your learn from them. His thoughts on how crucial the soft values are, inspired me a... (Source)

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12
Over 1 million copies sold

What every church will always need

The need for talented, vigorous leaders in the church cannot be overemphasized. Such times demand active service of men and women who are guided by and devoted to Jesus Christ.

With more than 1 million copies sold, Spiritual Leadership stands as a proven classic for developing such leadership. J. Oswald Sanders, a Christian leader for nearly seventy years and author of more than forty books, presents the key principles of leadership in both the temporal and spiritual...
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Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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14
The legendary tale of top-down change for anyone trying to navigate today's uncertain business seas.

New York Times Bestseller

When Captain Abrashoff took over as commander of USS Benfold, it was like a business that had all the latest technology but only some of the productivity. Knowing that responsibility for improving performance rested with him, he realized he had to improve his own leadership skills before he could improve his ship. Within months, he created a crew of confident and inspired problem-solvers eager to take the initiative and...
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Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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15
Guide to how the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., can be used to effect positive, long-lasting change in any organization. less
Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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16

The Practice of the Presence of God

Three hundred years ago, an uneducated lay cook in a French monastery discovered how to enjoy a profound awareness of God moment by moment, even in the midst of busyness and distraction. The Practice of the Presence of God reveals Brother Lawrence's secrets. Brimming with wisdom and spiritual insight, this classic memoir of the devotional life witnesses to the joy available to all who will seek Him. less
Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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17

Courageous Leadership

The book you hold resonates with this conviction: that leaders such as you have the potential to be the most influential forces on planet Earth. Yours is the staggering responsibility and the matchless privilege of rallying believers and mobilizing their spiritual gifts in order to help people who are far from God become fully devoted followers of Christ. Life transformation and the eternal destinies of real people depend on the redemptive message entrusted to the local church. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to lead your church effectively so God's message of hope can change the... more
Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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18
Discover what two million readers have already discovered: that true significance is found only in Christ.

Robert McGee's best-selling book has helped millions of readers learn how to be free to enjoy Christ's love while no longer basing their self-worth on their accomplishments or the opinions of others. In fact, Billy Graham said that it was a book that "should be read by every Christian."

In this re-launch of this timeless classic you will:


Gain new skills for getting off the performance treadmill
Discover how four false beliefs...
more
Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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19
A New Edition for A New Generation!

Two new bonus chapters on the most common barriers to living a purpose driven life.

Access to an online community where you can discuss your journey to purpose, get feedback, and receive support.

“Movie stars and political leaders aren’t the only ones turning to Rick Warren for spiritual guidance. Millions of people—from NBA and LPGA players to corporate executives to high school students to prison inmates—meet regularly to discuss The Purpose Driven Life.” ~ TIME

The Purpose Driven...
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Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 2 others.

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20

The Applause of Heaven

It comes from God and it is within your reach ... The applause of heaven.



A joy that can't be quenched? A peace that can't be broken? A happiness that can't be threatened?



There is such a joy. It is a sacred delight, a holy gladness. You can't open your Bible without reading about it. You can't live a truly satisfying life without it. And it's nearer than you think.



Jesus describes that sacred delight in the astonishing mountain message we now call the Beatitudes. And Max Lucado, in this classic exploration of enduring joy,...
more
Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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Don't have time to read John C. Maxwell's favorite books? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
21
Is Your Life Filled, Yet Unfulfilled? Do you feel pulled in a thousand different directions?
Are your days so busy you hardly have time to think?
Are you living up to other people's expectations while your own plans and dreams go unmet?
In "The On-Purpose Person" you'll learn how to discover who you are, where you are headed, what you should do, and what's most important to you! That's being on-purpose!

Tap Into Your Highest Potential With The On-Purpose Person

Nothing adds more fullness and meaning to your life than discovering your purpose and living...
more
Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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22
Using biblical, historical, and contemporary examples of brokenness, this practical and theoretical look at the process of being spiritually broken as a part of God's character-building process shows that true servanthood is not built on skills or position, but on those very character traits God has built through brokenness. less
Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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23

Leaders

Strategies for Taking Charge

In this illuminating study of corporate America's most critical issue—leadership—world-renowned leadership guru Warren Bennis and his co-author Burt Nanus reveal the four key principles every manager should know: Attention Through Vision, Meaning Through Communication, Trust Through Positioning, and The Deployment of Self.

In this age of "process", with downsizing and restructuring affecting many workplaces, companies have fallen trap to lack of communication and distrust, and vision and leadership are needed more than ever before. The wisdom and insight in Leaders...
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Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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24
"Millions have been inspired by the Bible's spiritual lessons. Now, Lorin Woolfe provides a unique way to view the Bible . . . for leadership lessons that can be applied to our modern business world.



Consider David's courage and innovation in slaying Goliath with just a stone and a sling; Moses' outstanding ""succession planning"" in picking Joshua; Joseph and the political skills that brought him to the seat of power; and of course, Jesus' compassion, communication skills, and vision that launched Christianity (a long-term success by any measure).
more
Recommended by John C. Maxwell, and 1 others.

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26
Everyone gets 168 hours a week, but it never feels like enough, does it? Work gobbles up the lion's share--many professionals are working as much as 70 hours a week--leaving less and less for rest, exercise, family, and friends. You know, all those things that make life great.

Most people think productivity is about finding or saving time. But it's not. It's about making our time work for us. Just imagine having free time again. It's not a pipe dream.

In Free to Focus, New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt reveals to readers nine proven ways to...
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Tony RobbinsOne reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. No one understands this better than Michael Hyatt, and he's engineered a new, easy-to-follow approach to harness this power in his new book Free to Focus. (Source)

Cal NewportBusyness is meaningless. What matters is consistently executing the work that actually matters. This book shows you how. (Source)

Dave RamseyFree to Focus will push you to use your time well and to become a better version of the person you were created to be. (Source)

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27

Find Your Way

Unleash Your Power and Highest Potential

"In Find your Way, you will discover the helpful, proven wisdom and deep care that I have experienced in working alongside Carly." --Henry Cloud, best-selling author of Boundaries

A perfect gift for graduates!

No matter where you are in life, you are not yet all you will be . . .

At some point, virtually everyone finds themselves struggling to find their way in life.

Perhaps you're just starting out and haven't yet found your personal or professional path. Maybe you've been plugging away for years, trying to live someone else's dream....
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Recommended by John C. Maxwell, Henry Cloud, and 2 others.

John C. Maxwell"I have spent more than 40 years learning and teaching about leadership, and I’ve met countless people who either identified themselves as leaders or hoped to one day become one. Of all those leaders, few have seen eye-to-eye with me on the subject and philosophy of leadership like Carly Fiorina. Having worked with her, I fully believe that she and I are two sides of the same coin. In my work,... (Source)

Henry CloudIn Find your Way, you will discover the helpful, proven wisdom and deep care that I have experienced in working alongside Carly. (Source)

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28
Each of us has but one life to live on this earth. What we do with it is our choice. Are we drifting through it as spectators, reacting to our circumstances when necessary and wondering just how we got to this point anyway? Or are we directing it, maximizing the joy and potential of every day, living with a purpose or mission in mind?

Too many of us are doing the former--and our lives are slipping away one day at a time. But what if we treated life like the gift that it is? What if we lived each day as though it were part of a bigger picture, a plan? That's what New York...
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Recommended by Tony Robbins, John C. Maxwell, and 2 others.

Tony RobbinsThe people who have achieved greatness are not just lucky. They created and executed a plan, took massive action to get results, and were willing to adjust the course when the plan didn't work. While most people understand this in business, they don't always apply it to every area of their life. That’s why I recommend this book. It's a guide that will show you how to develop and utilize a clear... (Source)

John C. MaxwellIn this one-of-a-kind book, Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy explain exactly how to create a Life Plan. It will equip you to live your life on purpose, achieving what matters most in every aspect of your life. (Source)

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Don't have time to read John C. Maxwell's favorite books? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.