In John Maxwell’s “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” the fifth law is titled “The Law of Addition.” According to this principle, a leader’s worth is measured not by the number of people they lead but by the number of people they serve. Leadership is not about getting ahead personally but helping others get ahead.
Using the Law of Addition, we may become catalysts for positive change and have an everlasting influence by actively seeking to help others, gaining an appreciation for their values, and incorporating the practice of adding value into our daily routines. Value creation for others is at the heart of being a transformative leader. Those we lead can be inspired and lifted if we follow these four guidelines:
Truly Valuing Others
To sincerely value people is one of the cornerstones of value addition. True leaders will have faith in their team members before they have confidence in themselves. As servants, they put the needs of others ahead of their own. When leaders appreciate their team members for who they are and what they bring to the table, they foster an atmosphere where everyone feels safe to contribute their full potential. When people are appreciated, they can perform at a higher level and are inspired to accomplish great things.
Making Oneself More Valuable
Adding value to others necessitates constant self-investment to increase one’s worth. Extraordinary leaders need ongoing personal growth to provide optimal leadership to their team members. Leaders arm themselves with powerful tools by continuing to learn, seek out new experiences, and hone their leadership skills. Leadership committed to self-improvement sets an example for those they oversee and encourages them to do the same.
Knowing and Relating to What Others Value
The ability to identify with and empathize with the values of others is a hallmark of great leaders. They are great leaders because they put their team members’ needs first, learn from them, and act on what they have learned. Leaders know more about their team’s hopes, fears, and wants when they take the time to cultivate genuine relationships with them. With this information, leaders may better cater to their teams’ needs, facilitate collaboration, and encourage development. Leaders make strong relationships and foster an environment conducive to success and fulfillment when they have a deep appreciation for and an ability to relate to the values of their team.
Aligning with Godly Values
Adding value to others involves more than just acting by one’s morals; it also consists of performing according to God’s values. Leaders that embody divine attributes in their leadership style serve their team with the utmost regard, compassion, and dignity. Leaders are examples of God-honoring principles when they reach out to others, help them, and embrace a spirit of humility. A leader who adheres to this criterion makes decisions and acts consistent with their moral character. When leaders are themselves examples of Godly virtues, they promote a culture of cooperation, compassion, and service that has far-reaching effects.
To effectively apply the Law of Addition and genuinely add value to others, we can follow three essential steps:
Embrace the mindset of a servant in leadership. Make it a practice to help others out in modest ways without expecting anything in return. When leaders take on a servant mentality, they put their team members’ needs before their own and work to help them develop professionally and personally.
Create a list of the significant people in your life and identify what they value most. Then, objectively score yourself on how well you align with their values from 1 to 10. As a result of this activity, we can better tailor our interactions and support to the importance of the people we care about the most.Infuse the practice of adding value into your daily life. Start with the people who are most important to you, including family and friends. Then, teach everyone under your direction the same emphasis on value creation. We build a culture of continuous improvement and leave an enduring mark by actively seeking ways to contribute to our interactions and relationships.