The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork Workbook

July 23, 2001
Maxwell has found a formula that works. Author of the successful The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, the Atlanta-based Christian business guru is back with 17 rules for teamwork. Are Maxwell's laws "indisputable"? Perhaps. But they're also obvious and banal: the weakest link will bring down a team, teammates have to be able to count on one another, etc. Maxwell urges readers to find a mentor, "see the big picture" and be willing to work hard. The cutesy alliteration and rhyme ("The Goal Is More Important than the Role") and the tired sports metaphors ("The Scoreboard Is Essential to Winning") are uninspired—and uninspiring. Maxwell is enamored of his laws, but the sense that radiates from the pages of this book is that he is also enamored of himself; even the acknowledgements lack humility, as he thanks one assistant for "extend my influence around the world." He is perhaps to be commended for writing a book that will be accessible to the broadest possible audience. The occasional example features folks driving home from church but, despite the connection to Thomas Nelson, little of Maxwell's message is specifically Christian. Hindus, atheists and Shintos seeking leadership tips will be able to read this as comfortably as Baptists. Then again, perhaps providing flavorless counsel to a large, ecumenical audience is not an accomplishment worthy of applause. (July 31)Forecast:Nelson will promote this title heavily in Christian media sources, with feature stories planned for
CBA Marketplace and
Christian Retailing and advertising in business, Christian and in-flight magazines. Expect this business title to be business as usual for Nelson. But change is afoot: the cash cow that is Maxwell has gone in search of greener pastures. The author recently signed a deal with Warner's new Christian line.

February 15, 2003
Maxwell continues his grand project of systematizing motivational lore in this fervent workbook. Rehashing the teamwork catechism he explored in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, he reminds us of the importance of vision and values, the dangers of egotism, bad apples and malingerers, and the necessity of dedication to collective will. Designed to be used, in part, by employees in a corporate team setting, the workbook features short inspirational or cautionary tales (a vignette about sherpa Tenzing Norgay teaches us that"the need for teamwork elevates" at high altitudes, while disgraced Exxon Valdez captain Joe Hazelwood embodies the proverbial weakest link) followed by vague writing exercises ("How can you become more proactive in your personal growth?"), self-evaluative check-lists ("I am willing to give up my personal rights for the greater good of the team") and"Take Action" assignments ("Confess your error, ask for forgiveness, and make it right.") Maxwell may be the guru of teamwork, but this primer on group-think--with its tone pitched somewhere between a revival meeting and a human resources seminar--feels decidedly less than inspirational.

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.