5 Levels of Leadership summary

Have you ever had a boss with lots of formal authority but no actual talent for leadership? If so, you’ve experienced a positional leader: someone at level one of the leadership ladder, who thinks position alone gives them the power to command.

Unfortunately, positional leaders waste energy and fail to get the best out of their subordinates. After all, when formal position is the only thing legitimizing your leadership, you have to spend all your time defending your authority.

As we’ve learned, positional leaders waste energy protecting their own interests and power. The best way to break free from this type of leadership is by shifting focus from ourselves to others.

The advantages of being more outward-facing are manifold: positive relationships and a pleasant environment raise energy levels and foster an enjoyable workplace.

Though getting your subordinates’ permission to lead them is important, in most companies leaders are only measured by the outcome of their leadership.

This is why level three of the leadership ladder is the ability to produce results. And for any leader, the best way to produce results is to build an effective team.

Change isn’t easy. Many of us prefer to live in the comfortable land of the status quo.  But impactful leaders must know how to get things moving, setting an example. So if you perform aggressively or reluctantly, this attitude will translate into poor team performance. But if you show enthusiasm and drive, people will follow suit. 

For example, legend has it that once during the Revolutionary War, George Washington rode up to a group of soldiers who were having trouble raising a beam. Instead of helping directly, the commander first stood aside and shouted words of encouragement. But when he realized that the task exceeded the soldiers’ strength, Washington dismounted his horse and joined the struggle. Soon enough, the group succeeded in lifting the beam.

One key challenge all leaders face is today's ever-changing business-environment. What works now may no longer work next year, so attaining sustainable, long-term success is very challenging. What can you as a leader do about it?

Simple: remember that any company’s greatest resource is its people. After all, markets change, facilities deteriorate, supplies get used up, but people have the potential to grow and surpass themselves.

Becoming a successful leader is a long process, but the rewards are great. Still, the journey never really ends. Because a true leader keeps giving back by teaching others to become leaders, too.

There are a few reasons why this is important.