E9: The Leadership Mantra I believe in

Hello Career Trekkers, Welcome to the ninth edition of #CareerTrek. I am happy to share the news with you that I have been selected as India's top 100 People Managers for the year 2021. I would like to thank all the mentors and colleagues who shaped my leadership style throughout my career. In this edition I would like to share with you the leadership Mantra, I believe in and has worked for me. During our Career Trek, at some point you would be managing and leading people. (even if you are a individual contributor).

John Maxwell talks about as the five levels of Leadership and lets dive straight-in

Level-1 is where you are leading by the virtue of your position. People listen to you, because they don't have a choice. I wont give examples, I am sure you would have come across all levels of leaders in your career. A level-1 leader believes in hierarchical way of leadership. The leader will keep reminding you that he/she is the boss (rights). Sometimes subtly and sometimes directly.

Level-2 is where the team members have a working relationship with you. You have got the permission from them to lead. They follow you as you are nice to them. This style/level hinges on relationships (not on competence yet).

Level-3 is where the team members like working with you for the Results you are able to produce for the team and the Organization. What attracts the team towards the leader is their ability/competence to produce results. In my experience I have seen leaders who don't enjoy the best of relationships with their team but get the respect because of their competence.

level-4 is where the team members like working with you because they see you investing in their development. A level-4 leader is focused on creating(reproduction) more leaders. These are leaders who believe, " You focus on developing people and they deliver results" rather than people development being a side-project or a by-product.

level-5 is the Pinnacle. People follow you, because you inspire them through your values and the vision you have for people and community at large. I can think of leaders who command Respect and you feel like doing anything for them even if you are not bound by any formal or informal relationships. A level-5 leader has many many followers even if they don't have a position. They follow you, because you inspire them to do more and give more.

I am sure you would have come across leaders across level. You are lucky if you have a level-5 leader.

Where would your team peg "you", as a leader. It is also likely that you may be at different level with each of your team members.

Any new relationship will tend to transcend these levels with time.

With this awareness, I try to do/be my best with my team/colleagues. I would once again like to extend special gratitude to my team in winning this award. more so, because they were part of the evaluation as well.

Wishing you all a happy week and great Career Trek ahead.