Leadership
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John C. Maxwell
The leadership classic every team builder should read.
Recommended for: I Don't Have Good Leaders Under Me
All Challenges
Leadership
I Don't Have Good Leaders Under Me
Good workers don't automatically become good leaders. Develop them step by step.
The Challenge
Good workers don't automatically become good leaders. Develop them step by step.
Why This Happens
- Promoting the best worker without training
- No clear leadership expectations
- Owner never lets go
- No leadership development path
Questions to Ask Yourself
- 1.Who are your most dependable people?
- 2.Have they been taught to lead?
- 3.Do they have authority to make decisions?
- 4.What level are they at today?
What to Do First
1
Identify one potential leader.
2
Share the Supervisor Development Roadmap with them.
3
Give them one leadership responsibility.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1
Level 1 — Good Worker: does their own work well.
- 2
Level 2 — Lead Worker: helps others and sets the example.
- 3
Level 3 — Supervisor: plans the day and holds people accountable.
- 4
Level 4 — Manager: manages processes, numbers, and supervisors.
- 5
Level 5 — Leader of Leaders: develops other leaders and the culture.
Three Levels of Solutions
Quick Win
Do this today
Have a development conversation with one potential leader.
Build the System
Next 30 days
Create a 30-day development plan for each future supervisor.
Long-Term Transformation
Where you're headed
A bench of leaders at every level who carry the culture.
Lessons From the Pass It On Library
From The Servant
Leaders are developed, not just appointed.
Framework: Leadership Self-Check
From Lead Like Jesus
Heart → Head → Hands → Habits.
Framework: Heart → Head → Hands → Habits
Pass It On Action
Meet with your future leader weekly for a month.
Your Action Plans
Sign in to check off steps and save progress to My Growth Plan. Sign in
7-Day Action Plan
- Day 1 — Identify the problem: write down exactly how “I Don't Have Good Leaders Under Me” shows up in your business.
- Day 2 — Review the numbers: gather the facts, figures, and examples connected to this challenge.
- Day 3 — Find the root cause: answer “Who are your most dependable people?”
- Day 4 — Choose one change: Identify one potential leader.
- Day 5 — Assign responsibility: name ONE owner, a deadline, and the expected result.
- Day 6 — Implement: Share the Supervisor Development Roadmap with them.
- Day 7 — Review what happened: what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll do next week.
30-Day Action Plan
Week 1 — Diagnose
- Answer: Who are your most dependable people?
- Answer: Have they been taught to lead?
- Answer: Do they have authority to make decisions?
- Complete the 7-Day Action Plan.
Week 2 — Build
- Create a 30-day development plan for each future supervisor.
- Level 1 — Good Worker: does their own work well.
- Level 2 — Lead Worker: helps others and sets the example.
- Level 3 — Supervisor: plans the day and holds people accountable.
Week 3 — Implement
- Level 4 — Manager: manages processes, numbers, and supervisors.
- Level 5 — Leader of Leaders: develops other leaders and the culture.
- Train the people involved and assign owners.
Week 4 — Measure & Improve
- Compare results to where you started.
- Write one lesson learned.
- Adjust the process.
- Share what you learned with someone in the fellowship.
Biblical Principles
Wisdom for the journey — encouraging stewardship, integrity, and service, never a promise of guaranteed success.
#21 · Leadership
Leadership begins with service
Mark 10:43–45
#24 · Leadership
Choose capable and trustworthy leaders
Exodus 18:21
#25 · Leadership
Develop other leaders
2 Timothy 2:2
Related Challenges
Recommended Books
Approved Bookshelf resources related to this challenge.
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Challenge → Diagnose → Prioritize → Learn → Take Action → Measure → Improve → Help Someone Else
Learn it. Apply it. Pass it on.