21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

The content of this book is quite complete and self-teaching. And the disciples are heading into the last half of their final year of discipleship. During each week’s review, we go around the group asking their takeaway for each chapter, one chapter per round. We do not do cross talk. It is important for the disciples to speak and think uninterrupted and listen to the Holy Spirt as they out process the week’s reading. We press disciples to justify or connect each of Maxwell’s laws to the Bible and, of course, follow whatever work the Spirit is doing with their notes and highlights.

In a bigger picture, we remind them of Maxwell’s definition of “irrefutable”: the laws apply whether you pay attention to them or not.

We read and review the book over five weeks. It might seem long for such a simple, medium-length read but our leaders have found that consuming too many of the laws in a week causes them to not “stick” in the disciples’ brains.  Here’s our five-week reading plan.

• Week 1 : Introduction + Laws 1–4
• Week 2 : Laws 5–8
• Week 3 : Laws 9–12
• Week 4 : Laws 13–16
• Week 5 : Laws 17–21 + Conclusion

The following are some ideas from our previous leader’s notes on verses that either confirm or challenge the laws. The list is not meant to be exhaustive but rather a starting point.

1. The Law of the Lid: A leader’s effectiveness determines the effectiveness of their organization, with the leader’s ability to influence setting the “lid” on the team’s potential.
   • Confirm: “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2)
   • Challenge: God’s power can override human limitations: “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise.”(1 Corinthians 1:27)
2. The Law of Influence: Leadership is influence, and you can only lead as well as you have influence.
   • Confirm: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example…” (1 Timothy 4:12)
   • Challenge: Influence is nothing without obedience to God: “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” (Galatians 1:10)
3. The Law of Process: Leadership develops daily, not in a day, emphasizing consistent growth over sudden leaps.
   • Confirm: “For precept must be upon precept… line upon line…” (Isaiah 28:10)
4. The Law of Navigation: To lead people, you must know the course and be able to guide them there.
   • Confirm: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” (Proverbs 21:5)
   • Challenge: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
5. The Law of Addition: Leaders add value to people’s lives and to the team or organization.
   • Confirm: “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” (Mark 10:43-45)
   • Challenge: Adding value for selfish gain is condemned: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people…” (Matthew 6:1)
6. The Law of Solid Ground: Trust is the foundation of leadership, and without it, nothing else works.
   • Confirm: “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)
   • Challenge: Human trust can fail—ultimate trust belongs to God alone (Psalm 118:8).
7. The Law of Respect: People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves.
   • Confirm: “David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him… all Israel and Judah loved David.” (1 Samuel 18:5, 16)
   • Challenge: God sometimes uses the weak to lead (Judges 6:15—Gideon protests his weakness).
8. The Law of Intuition: Leaders have a keen sense of what’s happening and can “read” people and situations.
   • Challenge: Natural intuition must be tested: “Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
9. The Law of Magnetism: You attract people who are like you; your qualities draw others to you.
   • Confirm in Reverse: “Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
10. The Law of Connection: A leader must connect with people’s hearts before they can lead them to their heads.
    • Confirm: “We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves…” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
11. The Law of the Inner Circle: A leader’s closest team members have a significant impact on their ability to lead.
    • Confirm?: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
    • Challenge: Jesus was betrayed by one of his inner circle (John 13:21).
12. The Law of Empowerment: Only secure leaders give power away and empower others.
    • Confirm: “What you have heard… entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)
13. The Law of the Picture: People do what people see.
    • Confirm: “Set the believers an example in speech, in conduct…” (1 Timothy 4:12)
14. The Law of Buy-In: People buy into the leader, then the vision, and then the plan.
    • Confirm: Moses’ credibility helped Israel follow (Exodus 14:31).
    • Challenge: Sometimes vision precedes leader loyalty (Jonah’s message converted Nineveh despite his reluctance, Jonah 3:5).
15. The Law of Victory: Leaders are characterized by a deep desire to win and an ability to make that happen.
    • Confirm: Nehemiah’s leadership brought rebuilding (Nehemiah 6:15-16).
16. The Law of the Big Mo (Momentum): Leaders know how to build and maintain momentum within their teams.
    • Confirm?: “And the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.” (Acts 16:5)
17. The Law of Priorities: Leaders understand activity ≠ accomplishment.
    • Confirm from Jesus’ perspective: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious… but one thing is necessary.” (Luke 10:41-42)
18. The Law of Sacrifice: Leaders must give up to go up.
    • Abstract Confirmation: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross.” (Mark 8:34)
    • No direct references to rising up in the “God ranks.”
19. The Law of Timing: When to lead is as important as what to do.
    • No direct confirmations
20. The Law of Explosive Growth: To add growth, lead followers; to multiply, lead leaders.
    • Confirm: Jesus trained leaders who multiplied (Luke 10:1; Acts 6:7).
    • Challenge: Multiplication without maturity is dangerous (3 John 9-10—Diotrephes misused influence).
21. The Law of Legacy: A leader leaves a legacy that extends beyond their own lifetime.
    • Confirm: “And what you have heard… entrust to faithful men…” (2 Timothy 2:2 again)
    • Negative Confirmation: Some legacies are cut off (King Saul, 1 Samuel 15:26-28).