How Successful People Think - A Review

Do successful people think differently thanmutually exclusive, as it might appear. Some of us
unsuccessful people? John C. Maxwell thinks soare very competitive, but it isn't a sign of
and has written another book, based on theweakness to collaborate with other good thinkers.
premise that successful people have one thing inThe give and take of several good thinkers will
common -- how they think -- and that anyoneusually produce a better result than the work of
can learn that skill.an individual.
Maxwell identifies 11 different skills of thinking. AsThe second skill I found especially important is
he says in the introduction, he isn't trying to tellunselfish thinking. This unselfish thinking, freely
the reader what to think, but rather help thegiving of yourself, results in a more fulfilling life.
reader learn how to think. Many of us knowToo often we get busy and don't think about
people who claim to think carefully about awhat we might do for others, or even how a
decision, but in reality are just reviewing their owndecision might affect those around us. People who
narrow thoughts, fears, and prejudices. That isn'tpractice unselfish thinking find it leads to far
real thinking though, at least not the way Maxwellgreater rewards.
would describe it. As he succinctly explains eachDo we really need a book telling us how to think?
thinking skill, one begins to understand anAs I read through its pages, I questioned that
underlying theme. Good thinkers are open mindedmyself. It is not the same fare as The 21
and thirsty for knowledge. They are willing toIrrefutable Laws" or other books of the sort and
reach beyond their own beliefs to uncover whatI kept saying to myself, I already know this. I
is really true. They approach a subject realistically,consider myself reasonably good at deducing
yet can be creative and are able to explore all theanswers, but not quite possessed of enough
possible angles.hubris to call myself a great thinker. So I looked
Though a good leader should adopt all 11 skills,through the book again and found that each
two really resonate with me. The first is the needthinking skill Maxwell lays out and each step to
to question popular thinking. Benjamin Franklin isobtain that skill are things that could use constant
quoted as saying "If everyone is thinking alike,reminder. But the real reason to read this book,
then no one is thinking." This is the crux ofand review it often, is what Maxwell never quite
Maxwell's argument against popular thinking. Asays, though it seems to be an underlying theme.
good thinker doesn't go along because everyoneThat is, a great thinker must start with the
else is. At the same time, shared thinking ishumility to admit the need to always strive for
important as well. These two skills are notimprovement.