The 5 Levels of Leadership

You can’t lead without people, which means you need to learn to like people if you want to lead well!

Level 4 — People DevelopmentLevel 4 can be summed up in one word: reproduction. Your goal at this level is to identify and develop as many leaders as you can by investing in them and helping them grow.

So to grow at the people development level, you need to make investing in leaders a priority, and take intentional steps every day to help them grow. Do that consistently, for long enough, and you may begin to reap the rewards of the next level.

Level 3 — ProductionThe best leaders know how to motivate their people to get things done! On this level, leaders who produce results build their influence and credibility.

Level 1 — PositionPosition is the only level that requires no ability or effort to achieve. While nothing is wrong with leadership position, everything is wrong with relying only on that position to get people to follow.

These 5 levels of leadership build upon each other. In other words, Level 3 leaders still need to do the things that make Level 2 happen. They just add Level 3 strategies to the mix. And as they become effective at Level 3, they are ready to layer on the goals of the next levels.

Level 2 — PermissionLevel 2 is based on relationship. At this level, people choose to follow because they want to. In other words, they give the leader Permission to lead them.

People follow Level 5 leaders because of who they are and what they represent. In other words, their leadership gains a positive reputation. As a result, Level 5 leaders often transcend their position, their organization, and sometimes their industry.

The reason is simple: When there are more leaders, more of the organization’s mission can be accomplished. The people you choose to develop may show great potential for leadership, or they may be diamonds in the rough, but the main idea is the same: When you invest in them, you can reproduce yourself.

The more you produce, the more you’re able to tackle tough problems and face thorny issues. Leading and influencing others becomes fun, because when everyone is moving forward together, the team rises to another level of effectiveness.

Level 5 — PinnacleThe highest level of leadership is also the most challenging to attain. It requires longevity as well as intentionality. You simply can’t reach Level 5 unless you are willing to invest your life into the lives of others for the long haul. But if you stick with it, if you continually focus on both growing yourself at every level, and developing leaders who are willing and able to develop other leaders, you may find yourself at the Pinnacle.

When you like people and treat them as individuals who have value, you begin to develop positive influence with them. Trust grows, which usually leads to respect.