Shift Lead 3

 
 

The 5 levels of leadership

John maxwell talks about leadership as being categorized into five different levels. Whether you know it or not, you are one of these five. Here we'll briefly cover the five levels.

 

  • LEVEL 1: POSITION
    • This is the level that most people begin their leadership journey on. This may be where you are currently as you just received what may be your first leadership position. This level is a great place to start, but not a great place to stay.
    • On this level, people follow you because they have to.
    • Generally, on this level, you will have low energy and low commitment from those you lead.
    • You will develop who you are as a leader and your leadership style on this level.
    • To continue progressing, you must have self awareness at this level and regularly evaluate yourself on your leadership.
    • Self leadership
      • Your biggest leadership challenge is YOU.
      • You have to lead yourself well before you can lead others well.
      • If I can't lead myself, what right do I have to lead you?
  • LEVEL 2: PERMISSION(RELATIONSHIPS)
    • People follow you because they want to.
    • People like you, and you have good relationships with those you lead.
    • Energy, connection, and enjoyment increases among your team.
    • People won't go along with you unless they get along with you.
    • Being Intentional
      • In every relationship, you are either a plus or a minus. You either add value to others or you suck life from them.
      • Are you intentionally adding value or unintentionally taking away value?
    • Level 2 leaders listen and observe well.
      • All your leadership cues are in asking questions and listening.
      • Be more interested in them than you are in yourself.
      • If you help people get what they want in life, you'll get everything you want too.
    • Level 2 leaders serve their team well.
      • The best way to lead is beside, not behind or out front.
      • If you have to tell people you're the leader, you're not.
  • LEVEL 3: PRODUCTION(RESULTS)
    • People follow you because of what you have done for the organization.
    • Level 3 leaders have the ability to produce at a high level.
    • The only right you have to lead is being good. Nobody wants to be on your team or follow you if you're not good.
    • The greatest leadership phrase is "follow me".
      • Lead by example.
      • Don't be a travel agent leader(ex: "go there, do that", etc)
      • Be a tour guide leader(ex. "come with me, I'll show you")
    • Level 3 leaders attract better people.
      • Great people want to follow great leaders.
      • Law of Magnetism: You attract who you are, not who you want.
  • LEVEL 4: REPRODUCTION(PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT)
    • People follow you because of what you have done for them.
    • Level 3 is addition, level 4 is multiplication.
    • We teach what we know, but we reproduce who we are
    • Level 4 is all about finding great people, then developing and equipping them well.
      • 5 STEPS FOR EQUIPPING
        • 1. I DO IT.
        • 2. I DO IT, YOU'RE WITH ME.
        • 3. YOU DO IT, I'M WITH YOU.
        • 4. YOU DO IT.
        • 5. YOU DO IT, SOMEONE ELSE IS WITH YOU.
  • LEVEL 5: PINNACLE(RESPECT)
    • People follow you because of who you are and what you represent.
    • You don't go to level 5 alone. Your people put you there.
    • It is key to bring others up the 5 levels with you.

 

What level do you identify with the most? What steps can you take to rise to the next level?