The 5 Levels of Leadership

1. Leadership is a journey through five distinct levels of influence

Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.

The 5 Levels of Leadership provide a clear framework for understanding and developing leadership skills. These levels are:

1. Position: The basic entry level of leadership, based on title or rank
2. Permission: Building relationships and earning the right to lead
3. Production: Achieving results and building momentum
4. People Development: Empowering and developing others to become leaders
5. Pinnacle: Creating a leadership legacy by developing Level 4 leaders

As leaders progress through these levels, their influence expands, and their impact on the organization grows exponentially. Each level builds upon the previous ones, requiring new skills and mindsets to master. The journey is not linear, and leaders may be at different levels with different individuals or in different contexts.

2. Position is the starting point, but true leadership begins with permission

People go along with leaders they get along with.

Position is not enough. While a leadership title provides an opportunity to lead, it does not guarantee influence or followership. True leadership begins when people choose to follow you because they want to, not because they have to.

To move from Position to Permission:

• Focus on building relationships and trust
• Show genuine care and interest in your team members
• Listen actively and communicate openly
• Lead by example, not by authority
• Create a positive and supportive work environment

By earning permission to lead, leaders lay the foundation for higher levels of influence and effectiveness.

3. Production separates leaders from managers and creates momentum

Production qualifies and separates true leaders from people who merely occupy leadership positions.

Results matter. Level 3 leaders distinguish themselves by their ability to get things done and achieve tangible results. This level of leadership is characterized by:

• Setting clear goals and expectations
• Demonstrating personal productivity
• Creating systems and processes for efficiency
• Solving problems effectively
• Building and leveraging momentum

Production-oriented leaders:

• Gain credibility through their achievements
• Attract other high performers
• Create a culture of excellence and accountability
• Inspire their teams to reach higher levels of performance

By consistently delivering results, Level 3 leaders establish themselves as valuable assets to their organizations and earn the right to develop others.

4. People development multiplies a leader's influence and organizational impact

Leadership should always be about others, not about the leader.

Developing leaders is the key to exponential growth. Level 4 leaders shift their focus from personal productivity to empowering and developing others. This approach:

• Multiplies the leader's impact through others
• Creates a pipeline of future leaders
• Increases organizational capacity and adaptability
• Enhances employee engagement and retention

Strategies for effective people development:

1. Identify high-potential individuals
2. Provide challenging assignments and opportunities
3. Offer mentorship and coaching
4. Create a culture of continuous learning
5. Celebrate and reward growth and development

By investing in others, Level 4 leaders create a lasting impact that extends far beyond their personal reach.

5. The Pinnacle: Creating a leadership legacy through developing other leaders

The highest and most difficult level of leadership is the Pinnacle.

Level 5 leadership is about legacy. Pinnacle leaders focus on developing other leaders to become Level 4 leaders themselves, creating a ripple effect of leadership development throughout the organization. This level is characterized by:

• A long-term perspective on leadership impact
• The ability to see and develop leadership potential in others
• A commitment to creating a leadership culture
• Influence that extends beyond the organization and industry

Pinnacle leaders:

• Create room for other leaders at the top
• Continually mentor potential Level 5 leaders
• Use their platform to make a broader impact on society
• Plan for succession and leave a positive legacy

Reaching this level requires both exceptional skill and natural leadership ability, making it a rare achievement that has the potential to transform organizations and industries.

6. Effective leaders balance care and candor in their relationships

Care without candor creates dysfunctional relationships. Candor without care creates distant relationships.

Balance is key. Great leaders understand the importance of both caring for their people and being honest with them. This balance:

• Builds trust and respect
• Fosters open communication
• Promotes growth and development
• Creates a culture of accountability and support

Strategies for balancing care and candor:

1. Establish strong relationships based on genuine care
2. Provide regular, constructive feedback
3. Address issues promptly and directly
4. Offer support and resources for improvement
5. Celebrate successes and learn from failures together

By mastering this balance, leaders create an environment where people feel valued, challenged, and motivated to excel.

7. Self-awareness and continuous growth are crucial for leadership success

If you're through learning, you're through.

Leaders must keep growing. Self-awareness and a commitment to personal development are essential for progressing through the levels of leadership. Effective leaders:

• Regularly assess their strengths and weaknesses
• Seek feedback from others
• Embrace new challenges and learning opportunities
• Model a growth mindset for their teams

Strategies for continuous growth:

1. Develop a personal growth plan
2. Read widely and stay current in your field
3. Seek mentorship and coaching
4. Reflect on experiences and lessons learned
5. Take on stretch assignments that push your boundaries

By prioritizing their own growth, leaders inspire others to do the same and create a culture of continuous improvement within their organizations.

8. Leadership success is measured by succession and legacy

The ultimate test for a leader is not whether he or she makes smart decisions and takes decisive action, but whether he or she teaches others to be leaders and builds an organization that can sustain its success even when he or she is not around.

True success outlasts the leader. The mark of a great leader is not just what they achieve during their tenure, but the lasting impact they leave behind. This includes:

• Developing a strong bench of future leaders
• Creating systems and cultures that endure
• Leaving the organization better than they found it
• Inspiring others to carry on the vision and values

Key aspects of leadership succession:

1. Identify and nurture potential successors early
2. Provide opportunities for leadership experience
3. Gradually delegate responsibilities and authority
4. Create a clear succession plan
5. Ensure a smooth transition of leadership

By focusing on succession and legacy, leaders ensure that their impact continues long after they have moved on.

9. Empowerment and creating opportunities are key to developing leaders

Good leaders are always good learners.

Give power away. Effective leaders understand that empowering others is the key to developing new leaders and expanding organizational capacity. This involves:

• Delegating meaningful responsibilities
• Allowing others to make decisions and learn from mistakes
• Providing resources and support for success
• Recognizing and rewarding initiative and achievement

Strategies for empowerment:

1. Identify individuals' strengths and passions
2. Assign challenging projects that stretch their abilities
3. Provide autonomy with appropriate guidance
4. Create a safe environment for risk-taking and learning
5. Celebrate successes and use failures as learning opportunities

By empowering others, leaders not only develop new leaders but also free themselves to focus on higher-level strategic thinking and leadership tasks.

10. Great leaders create crucible moments for accelerated leadership development

Experience isn't the best teacher; evaluated experience is.

Intentional challenges accelerate growth. Pinnacle leaders understand the power of creating and leveraging crucible moments - intense, transformative experiences that accelerate leadership development. These experiences:

• Push individuals out of their comfort zones
• Require them to apply leadership skills in high-pressure situations
• Provide opportunities for reflection and learning
• Build confidence and resilience

Types of crucible experiences:

1. Challenging assignments or projects
2. Cross-functional or international roles
3. Crisis management situations
4. Stretch goals or tight deadlines
5. Exposure to senior leadership or high-stakes negotiations

By intentionally creating these opportunities and helping emerging leaders process and learn from them, great leaders accelerate the development of future leaders and create a pipeline of talent for their organizations.

Last updated: January 22, 2025