#500: "The 5 Levels of Leadership" - A Summary of John Maxwell's Bestseller on How To Advance as a Leader

John Maxwell’s "5 Levels of Leadership" is arguably the most popular phenomenon from his career spanning over 5 decades in leadership development. In this article, we’ll explore each one of the leadership levels in turn and show what is needed to advance through the steps.

First, here is Harry Karydes design of the model of 5 leadership levels:

Now, let's look at each level.

01. Level 1: Position – People follow you because they have to

Interestingly, Maxwell’s first level is what many consider to be the goal of leadership – Position. This is when you are a manager and people follow you because they are required by the structure of the organization. You gain authority through the rules and regulations of the organization.

Level 1 doesn’t require any effort because anyone can be placed in a leadership role. For example, as a marketing manager if you ask your team to create a report. They will do so because they have no other choice. You are their boss. For them, not listening to you is equivalent to not doing their jobs.

Because many consider this level to be the ultimate goal of leadership, they don’t go beyond it and remain stuck at Level 1 for most of their careers.

So, if you just got promoted to become a manager for the first time, congratulations! You’re just getting started.

02. Level 2: Permission – People follow you because they want to

At Level 2, people give you permission to lead them. Why? Because they like you as their leader and value the relationship you share with them. You realize that leadership is more than just authority and instead rely on personal relationships to develop influence. Most tips for first-time managers focus on transitioning from Level 1 to 2 by developing their interpersonal skills.

When the team feels trusted, valued, and respected, they’re more likely to do more than just follow orders. This level also lays the foundation for creating a healthy team culture.

A critical ingredient required to move to Level 2 is empathy. By mastering the ability to put themselves in the shoes of their team, leaders can make decisions that will develop strong bonds within the team. For example, if are not just giving orders but also explaining the underlying reasons to the team, there’s a high likelihood that you have already transitioned to this level.

03. Level 3: Production – People follow you because of what you have done for the organization.

There is a difference between respect and admiration. When people follow you because they like you or respect you, it is because of your personality. However true admiration requires something more – results.

At the Production level, you have spent enough time with your team to deliver specific, measurable results. And the team admires you for your leadership. You have not only mastered the interpersonal skills of the previous level but have also acquired deeper expertise in your role. You can read data better to make more informed decisions and provide the right guidance to the team.

When I first discovered Maxwell’s 5 Level Model, I didn’t know what to expect after this. If a leader is not just liked but admired for their work, what more is there to aim for?

And it’s a fairly common question because many people fall into the golden trap of level 3. The leap to the next level is perhaps the biggest.

04. Level 4: People Development – People follow you because of what you have done for them personally.

If a Level 3 leader leaves the team, it will not be able to recover swiftly. All the good things that such a leader brings leave with them. The team is left with a gaping hole.

At Level 4, you understand this and look beyond the immediate desires and motivations. Your legacy is visible in the team even in your absence. That legacy is reflected in people whom you mentor, the talent that you train, and the future breed of leaders that you prepare.

People follow you because their own careers have progressed as a result of your leadership. You gain access to wider responsibilities and assume higher leadership roles.

According to Maxwell, a Level 4 leader spends almost 80% of their time coaching and only 20% on their personal productivity. The mentoring relationships that you nurture in the team will last beyond the immediate scope of work.

05. Level 5: Pinnacle – People follow you because of who you are and what you represent.

How is this different from the previous level? Isn’t leaving a lasting legacy in your team the pinnacle of leadership?

Unlike all the previous levels, the pinnacle of leadership can only be achieved if you have trained leaders that can achieve such a level themselves. In other words, the pinnacle of leadership is creating a new generation of leaders who are better than you. This is fuelled not by personal ambition but by a selfless desire to mentor others.

At this level, you spread the gospel of leadership and coach managers who will not just achieve success themselves but also train the next generation. You propel the cycle and become the living embodiment of the values that you preach.

What Next?

By reading this newsletter, you now have a valuable resource to add to your e-learning store.

With this foundation, you can expand your knowledge and skills using the learning materials available on ManageTrainLearn.

With over 22,000 resources across our six websites, including two that offer free downloads, you can take charge of your learning journey.

Commit to learning something new each day from MTL, and as you grasp it, reflect, practice, apply, and review it. Before long, you will master the skill with confidence.

Thank you for reading this edition of the "People Skills" newsletter, and best wishes on your ongoing learning journey.

And one last note.

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