The Five Levels of Leadership
The following description of the five levels of leadership is adapted from John Maxwell's, Developing the Leader Within You.
It's important to understand that we're not correlating the five levels with higher positions within an organization. An employee at any level in the organization may display any one of the five levels of leadership. Now, let's look at each level and think about which level best describes your current leadership approach.
Level One - The Boss
Leadership by position: While the boss may have power, leadership is not truly earned at this level. Leaders at this level view employees as subordinates, implying they are of lesser value.
Typical results that you see in the work culture developed by Level I leadership include:
- Dependent subordinates who are not followers and certainly not self-leaders.
- Subordinates do what the boss says because they have to.
- Subordinates follow orders simply because of the boss's position.
- Subordinates work to avoid negative consequences.
- The boss's influence does not extend beyond the lines of his or her job description.
Level Two - The Coach
Leadership by permission: Here is where real leadership begins. Leaders at this level begin to see their employees as followers rather than subordinates. Instead of demanding followership, the leader, through action and example, invites it.
The characteristics of Level II leadership include:
- Leadership is conferred at this level. The leader has permission to lead.
- The leader inspires rather than demands.
- The leader embarks on the crucial journey from self-centered attitudes to selfless action.
- Followers do what the leader says because they want to.
- Followers begin to work to receive recognition as well as avoid punishment.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-2. Which of the following is characteristic of John Maxwell's Level Two leadership?
You forgot to answer the question!