In my opinion, John Maxwell’s most underrated book is Thinking for a Change: 11 Ways Highly Successful People Approach Life andWork. In this book, John makes the argument that the difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they think.
To then help leaders improve their thinking skills, John outlines 11 thinking skills all successful people have. Today, he offered a complimentary ebook to assist us in this area. You can pick your up by clicking HERE.
Courtesy of John Maxwell, the following are 11 Thinking Skills which separate Successful and Unsuccessful People:
- Big-Picture Thinking – Big-Picture Thinking is the ability to see what others see, what they’re missing, and how to navigate uncharted territory.
- Creative Thinking – Creative Thinking is the ability to escape your “boxed-in” thinking and reimagine possible solutions.
- Realistic Thinking – Realistic Thinking is the ability to recognize the facts and build certainty around them. It is the process by which you take your dream from wish to will.
- Strategic Thinking – Strategic Thinking is taking control of tomorrow by thinking about it today. Strategic people see the world as a web of interconnected ideas, and they find opportunities to advance their ideas by making connections early and often.
- Possibility Thinking – Possibility Thinking is the ability to see solutions in seemingly impossible circumstances. It’s the lens you look through to take a positive stance in the midst of immanent failure and see opportunity.
- Reflective Thinking – Reflective Thinking is the consistent art of evaluating experience to repeat successes and avoid repeating failures.
- Popular Thinking – Popular Thinking is the acceptance of common “wisdom” without challenging assumptions or asking questions. Uncommon Thinking is the antidote to Popular Thinking.
- Shared Thinking – Shared Thinking is the intentional act of partnering with other people to take your ideas from good to great.
- Unselfish Thinking – Unselfish Thinking is the understanding that you cannot experience true significance without finding a way to give the value of your thoughts to others.
- Bottom-Line Thinking – Bottom-Line Thinking is an intense focus on driving results.
- Focused Thinking – Focused Thinking is intensive concentration in order to gain clarity on the specifics of a challenge and reach the core of the problem.
What is one thinking skill you can apply TODAY which will make you a better leader?
My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase. If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you! By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you. This book is not to be read alone. Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence. Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.