Levels of Leadership
In my Leadership class with Prof. Lynn Kalnbach, last week we watched a video with Mr. John Maxwell lecturing on 5 Levels of Leadership. Originally, he is an American author, speaker and pastor. Mr. Maxwell is especially renowned for his elaborate and celebrated work in the field of Leadership.
I personally was astonished at how precisely the levels were differentiated with brief explanations of each in the video. Essentially there are 5 levels of leadership as follows–position, permission, production, people development, pinnacle. Each one of these levels intend to walk one through the prominent stages of becoming or evolving as a leader.
Starting with,
Level #1 POSITION, also known as the “level of RIGHTS”:
People follow because they HAVE TO. You have POSITIONAL leadership. You are the Boss. They don’t have a choice. They HAVE TO follow, whether they want your leadership or not. NOTE: Your influence will not extend beyond the lines of your job description. The longer you stay here, the higher the turnover . . . the lower the morale.
Level #2 PERMISSION, also known as the “level of RELATIONSHIPS”:
People follow because they want to follow YOU. They BELIEVE in You. They TRUST you. They Don’t have to, but they WANT to follow you. NOTE: People will follow you beyond your stated authority. This level allows work to be fun.
Level #3 PRODUCTION, also known as the “level of RESULTS”:
People follow because of what you have done for the organization. Accomplishments. NOTE: This is where success is sensed by most people. They like you and what you and what you are doing. Problems are fixed with very little effort because of momentum.
Level #4 PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT, also known as the “level of REPRODUCTION”:
People follow because of what you have done for THEM. What’s in it for THEM. NOTE: This is where long-ranger growth occurs. Your commitment to developing leaders will ensure ongoing growth to the organization and to people. Do whatever you can to achieve and stay on this level.
Level #5 PINNACLE, also know as the “level of RESPECT”:
People follow because of who you are and what you represent. Your VALUES. NOTE: This step is reserved for leaders who have spent years growing people and organizations. Just a few make it to this level. Those who do are BIGGER THAN LIFE.
Phew! I hope that was a good read if not more. I genuinely enjoyed the video viewing, so here a link to it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-14rFuVBhcU&t=2s
Tags: 5levels, academics, Duluth, fivelevels, johnmaxwell, Leadership, levelsofleadership, meaning of life, peopledevelopment, permission, pinnacle, position, production, Student Life
