Explore The Five Levels of Leadership
Mark J Cundiff
Helping Good Leaders Become Great Leaders | Leadership Coaching | Leadership Training & Development | Business Consulting | Continuous Improvement | Lean Manufacturing | Operations Management
Are you ready to elevate your leadership abilities to a higher level?
No matter your job title or the type of organization you lead. Taking your leadership to the next level is important for any aspiring great leader.
The expert on leadership, John C. Maxwell, outlines five crucial levels of leadership. Everyone must progress through them to reach the pinnacle of leadership. This is where experience meets credibility.
The first level is Position. Your leadership comes only from your role or job title. This is where most new leaders start. But, it is the simplest form of leadership. The main challenge at this level is developing real interest in leading for others. It's not for your own benefit.
From there, you move to the second level of Permission. You earn the real trust, respect, and permission of those you lead. You do it through good and consistent relationships and strong people skills.
This level focuses on connecting with people within your inner circle or group.
On the third level, Production, your team must buy into your vision. They must see results from their hard work and your leadership.
Scaling up, the fourth level of People Development, is where great leaders emerge. At this stage, you focus on developing the leadership of the next generation. You also work on their relationships.
Kevin Turner is from the United Nations, and Dan T. Cathy is from Chick-fil-A. They are well-known as leaders in personal development and operate at this level.
But, for those striving to leave a legacy as a real leader, Maxwell's fifth and highest level is the Pinnacle. Here, your credibility gives you insight to shape a whole organization or movement.
Dick Vermeil led the St. Louis Rams in the NFL. John Maxwell is a leadership author. They embody this level.
No matter your stage or type of organization. Moving through these stages of leadership takes time. You need the right people skills and continued self-improvement.
Are you ready to invest in reaching that next level?
To take my leadership to the next level, I've realized that it goes beyond holding a title.
I have been working to hone my skills so that I can connect with others more deeply. I strive to foster trust and understand my team's key motivations.
I've started to see a shift in how people see me as a leader. But there's more to it than that. It's about embodying qualities. These qualities make people follow me not because they have to but because they respect and admire what I stand for.
Key Takeaways
Level 1: Position (Rights)
People follow you because they have to
Leadership development starts at Level 1: Position.
At this level, individuals are followed because they must. Individuals at this level must be followed.
It sets the foundation for one's leadership growth. At this stage, one is a leader based on title or appointment.
It is not based on their skills or abilities. John Maxwell's insights on leadership development say that being a positional leader means people follow you because they are obligated to.
They do not follow you out of genuine respect or admiration.
You are a positional leader. The organization's hierarchy puts you in a position.
People comply due to authority. They do not comply due to inspiration.
The Laws of Leadership at this level include the Law of the Lid and the Law of Process. They say that potential determines effectiveness and that leadership develops daily.
Believing that titles alone don't suffice is crucial. Valuing people over positions is also crucial for advancing to Level 2.
True leadership isn't about authority but influence. Recognizing this is key to unlocking one's leadership potential beyond position.
Level 2: Permission (Relationships)
People follow you because they want to
Moving on from Level 1 Position. Leadership in that environment relies on position and obligation.
Now, we ascend to Level 2: Permission. Here, relationships take the forefront, serving as the foundation of why people choose to follow a leader. Your role in building these connections is crucial.
At this level, followers aren't just compelled to follow; they genuinely want to. It's about building trust, fostering connections, and creating engagement.
As a leader at the Permission level, I focus on developing mutual respect and building rapport with my followers. It's about understanding their needs, listening actively, and valuing their input.
By prioritizing relationships, I can influence others not just based on my title but because of the trust and connection we share.
Building permission-based leadership requires nurturing strong relationships. In these, followers feel valued, heard, and respected. It's about creating an environment where individuals feel empowered and motivated to contribute.
Level 3: Production (Results)
People follow you because of what you have done for the organization
When a leader reaches Level 3: Production, he motivates followers to follow him. This is due to the real results I've delivered for the organization.
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My leadership at the production level has not only focused on producing measurable results, but it has also garnered respect and trust from those I lead. The outcomes I've achieved have significantly contributed to the organization, showing my ability to drive success and make a real impact.
In this leadership role, I can deliver on tasks and projects well. This has made me a valuable asset to the organization.
Good leaders at this level understand the importance of setting goals. They also get the importance of passing them.
They show their leadership through actions, which speak louder than words.
I follow the irrefutable laws of leadership, push boundaries, and strive for excellence in all endeavors. I know that results are the cornerstone of effective leadership.
Through my leadership journey, I've learned that producing tangible outcomes lifts the organization and inspires others to follow with enthusiasm and dedication.
Level 4: People Development (Reproduction)
People follow because of what you have done for them
At Level 4, leadership takes on a new dimension: People Development. It's about fostering the growth of followers through personal investment and mentorship, a shift that is both challenging and rewarding.
It's about people's development. Individuals follow you not just for what you've done for the organization but for the impact you've had on them.
This level focuses on reproduction. It nurtures future leaders by building strong relationships and assessing leadership qualities.
It invests in team members' personal growth. At this stage, people skills are crucial. They shape individuals and create a positive influence beyond immediate results.
As a leader at Level 4, I find deep fulfillment in seeing my team members evolve and flourish under my guidance. I've seen their progress, and knowing that I've helped them is very rewarding.
I prioritize people development. It enhances the abilities of those around me and creates a legacy of leadership that reaches far beyond my immediate reach.
Level 5: The Pinnacle (Respect)
People follow because of who you are and what you represent
At Level 5, The Pinnacle of leadership, authenticity is paramount. It's not just about being real and honest but also about embodying consistent values. True leadership at this level is about people following you for who you are and what you represent, not just for what you do.
A leader must create strong relationships by communicating well. This is key to building a lasting legacy. To reach this great leadership level, you must focus on personal relationships.
You must also consistently deliver positive results.
Moving to the pinnacle of leadership requires a deep understanding of true leadership. It's not just about achieving results. It's about inspiring and influencing others through your character and values.
Being at this level means you can impact and motivate others beyond what your position or accomplishments alone can achieve.
Striving for the next level means continuous growth, honing your skills, and nurturing deep connections with those you lead.
FAQs about The 5 Levels of Leadership
How Do You Transition From Being Followed Because of Position to Being Followed Because of Respect?
What Are the Key Behaviors That Make People Want to Follow You Because They Want To?
What Strategies Can You Implement to Make People Follow You Because of What You Have Done for Them?
How Can You Establish Yourself as a Leader That People Follow Because of Who You Are and What You Represent?
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, progressing through the levels of leadership is a journey that requires patience, commitment, and continual growth in your leadership skills and abilities.
The great leaders who reach the pinnacle level—where in-depth experience meets credibility—don't get there overnight. It takes time to invest in personal development, effective communication, and human relationships, as well as time to have a genuine interest in developing the next generation of leaders.
As Maxwell outlines, you must master the basics as a Positional Leader. Then, you can grow into a respected Permission Level Leader within your group.
After that, you can deliver results as a successful Production Level Leader. Only then can you rise to become a People Development Level Leader. You'll be like Dan T. Cathy of Chick-fil-A or former Chief Solutions Officer Kevin Turner. They focus on cultivating the leadership qualities of those they lead.
Whether you lead a Fortune 500 company, a non-profit organization, or your home life, the path to great leadership is the same. It needs patience, good relationships, and a clear vision.
You need these to develop others, not just for yourself but for them. It is challenging, but this journey allows leaders to have a big impact. They shape the next generation with their leadership styles and spiritual practices.
The highest levels of leadership are not exclusive to a certain type of organization or role. Great leadership can flourish anywhere there are human relationships, be it in businesses, neighborhoods, schools, teams, or families.
Today, take the first steps toward elevating your leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. You have the potential to progress through each level, ultimately becoming a respected, well-known leader.