Level 5 Leadership

One of my favorite business books, Good to Great, talks about Level 5 leadership. According to the book, this is the kind of leadership that separates great leaders from really good leaders. It is the kind of leadership that Abraham Lincoln demonstrated. It is the kind of leadership to which all who truly are interested in being great leaders aspire to be. Today I want to share some of the “secrets” or differences between these Level 5 leaders and others.

Show Horse vs. Plow Horse

One major difference between Level 5 leaders and others is their personal humility and willingness to work. Usually Level 5 leaders are very little known and have little desire to be in the lime light. Instead they quietly work hard producing great results. They resist showing off, drawing attention to themselves or telling the world how great they are. Typically leaders we know and hear about in the media and business magazines or even in our community or company are people who are not Level 5 leaders because Level 5 leaders naturally shun attention and personal recognition. Rather they quietly and methodically work at doing what needs to be done to ensure success.

Window vs. Mirror

Level 5 leaders look in the mirror and blame themselves when things are not going well. They take full responsibility for those they lead. On the flip side, they look out the window to praise others when things are going great. Level 5 leaders do not take credit for success but redirect praise onto others who they sincerely believe deserve the recognition. Unlike other leaders who place or shift blame when things are bad and then accept and embrace praise when things are good, these unique leaders do just the opposite.

Personal Greatness vs. Good-luck

Level 4 leaders usually attribute success to their personal greatness. Whether it was a tough decision they made, a new product that was developed under them, new strategies implemented, or whatever, these leaders will take credit for success. Often they use the word “I”. Contrarily, Level 5 leaders often attribute success to luck—lucky to be working in such a great industry, lucky to have talented co-workers and employees, lucky to have produced a popular product, lucky to have made a good decision, etc. Rather than draw attention to themselves, Level 5 leaders deflect it and usually use the words “we” or “they”.

Floundering vs. Soaring

Once a Level 5 leader leaves a situation, typically the group, team, or organization they were leading continues to soar. Conversely, often when a non Level 5 leader leaves those he is leading, most often the team flounders (and usually they crash and burn). Level 5 leaders have the ability to leave a legacy that is long-lasting and inspiring and continues to produce great results long after they are gone while Level 4 leaders almost always leave certain ruin in their wake. This is an easy way to identify Level 5 leaders from others.

Inspiring Charisma vs. Inspiring Standards

Level 5 leaders can often be described as quirky, awkward, and shy. Rather than use their personal charisma or charming personalities, Level 5 leaders resort to setting high standards that inspire others to give their best. Level 5 leaders create something that people want to be apart of and contribute to for long periods of time.

Personal Humility and Professional Will

In the end, the two traits that best separate Level 5 leaders from others is personal humility and professional will. They are humble enough to lead others based on high standards and values yet they have the ambition and will to work hard and do whatever it takes to be successful. These leaders are rare because often one of these contrasting traits will dominate the other. However, the ability to balance and possess both equally makes Level 5 leaders great!

So how do we evolve or become Level 5 leaders? It is a process that is difficult but possible. The surest way is by making tough decisions that are often counterintuitive. When you come to a decision and your mind tells you to go right because it the decision that is most beneficial to you, yet to the left appears to be in the best interest of others and the organization long-term—go left. Overtime, deciding most often to go left for the betterment of the higher cause when every part of you is pulling right for your own benefit, you will begin to be a Level 5 leader.

So what kind of leader are you? Let’s strive to evolve to Level 5 leadership and leave a lasting legacy that will bless our own lives as well as the lives of others.