The book “5 Levels of Leadership” guides how a leader can strengthen and expand their power over others. It describes the five stages that leaders go through starting with being given authority (Level 1) and ending with motivating and implementing positive change that lasts a long time (Level 5). While leaders progress through various phases.

 

They gain more respect, credibility, and influence. They can lead with better skills and benefit their communities and organizations more as a result. We covered every aspect of developing into a great leader in this post.

Why It’s Important to Become a Level 5 Leader?

“A leader knows the way goes the way, and shows the way,” according to Maxwell. However, people who don’t hone their leadership skills won’t be able to properly drive their teams or companies on the right path in the present or the future. It’s like trying to climb Mount Everest with a group of people because you’re an experienced hiker. Individuals who solely depend on their innate abilities lack the resources and equipment necessary to get to the top of the mountain.

 

But those who adopt a more growth-oriented mindset do. Although they are aware that they are not experts. Still, they want to know everything they can. This never-ending thirst for expansion and advancement becomes ready to be a successful leader.

 

If a person isn’t advancing through the five levels of leadership themselves. They also can’t teach their subordinates how to be leaders. This is a result of their incomplete understanding of the abilities and attributes required in leaders.

 

It takes work and dedication for people to find this knowledge and commit to studying and using it. Individuals in positions of leadership who demonstrate an active effort to enhance their leadership skills are putting themselves in a position to develop into Level 5 leaders.

What Are the Five Leadership Levels?

John Maxwell distinguished five degrees of leadership: Pinnacle, Production, Permission, Perception, and People Development. Every level is associated with a certain action that attracts followers. Using the experience and insights he’s gained over 40 years as a successful leader. The best-selling book created these several stages of leadership. See below for a quick rundown of the five degrees of leadership.

Level 1: Position

The position is the lowest level of leadership or the entry level if you will. It’s the only level that may be attained with no skill or effort. Foremost anyone can be appointed to a post. While holding a leadership position has its merits, depending solely on it to persuade others to follow is unacceptable. This is because it only works if you influence the people that follow you such as having a high-paying job or a stable career. At Level 1, people only follow because they feel compelled to.

It could be challenging for those who stay at the position level to collaborate with volunteers. Because volunteers are aware that they are not required to follow anyone, and because influence does not always follow position. In actuality, they only comply when requested.

 

However, there is some good news regarding this level. This is an excellent opportunity for you to start investing in your leadership development and potential. You’ll be prepared to go to the next level if you make the most of your time here to learn how to lead yourself through setting priorities and exercising self-control.

Level 2: Permission

Level 2 is relationship-driven. People follow because they want to be at this level. Stated differently, they grant permission to the leader to guide them. Leaders need to focus on engaging with and getting to know their people to grow at this level. Since you can’t lead effectively without others developing a positive social skillset is essential.

 

You start to have a positive influence on others when you like them and treat them like valuable beings. As trust builds, respect typically follows. And wherever one is at home, at work, playing, or volunteering the atmosphere gets considerably more cheerful. Building strong enduring relationships that lay the groundwork occurs at Level 2.

Level Three: Production

The most effective leaders can inspire their team members to GTD, or get things done! And Level 3 is all about getting things done. Leaders who achieve outcomes enhance their reputation and influence on this level. Even when they don’t follow because of the relationship, they nonetheless do so out of desire. Because of their reputation, Level 3 leaders are followed by others.

 

Leaders can bring about change at the Production level. Achieved goals lead to completed work, increased morale, increased revenues, and less turnover. The more you generate, the more equipped you are to handle challenging situations and difficult concerns. It becomes enjoyable to lead and influence others when everyone works together to advance the team.

 

It’s vital to remember that the purpose of the Five Levels is to grow at a new level not to advance from one. Rather, these five tiers of leadership are progressive. Put differently, Level 3 leaders must continue to carry out the tasks that enable Level 2. They just include Level 3 tactics in the mixture. Additionally, after they achieve effectiveness at Level 3, they are prepared to add the objectives of the next levels.

Level 4: People Development

At Level 4, you comprehend this and see past your current goals and motivations. Even when you’re not there, the team can still see your legacy. The people you guide, the talent you develop, and the next generation of leaders you prepare all bear witness to this legacy.

 

People follow you because of your leadership, which has helped advance their careers. You can take on more leadership roles and larger responsibilities.

 

A Level 4 leader, according to Maxwell, devotes only 20% of their time to personal productivity and nearly 80% of their time to coaching. Your team’s mentoring relationships will last long after the current tasks are completed.

Level 5 – Pinnacle

Achieving the highest level of leadership is also the most difficult. Both perseverance and intentionality are necessary. Reaching Level 5 is simply impossible without a long-term commitment to investing your life in the lives of others. But if you persevere and maintain your focus on generating leaders who are ready and equipped to produce other leaders in addition to continuously improving yourself on all fronts you might end up at the Pinnacle.

 

The highest level of leadership in contrast to all the others can only be attained by trained leaders who are capable of reaching this level on their own. Stated differently the ultimate goal of leadership is to produce a new generation of leaders who surpass you.

 

This is driven by a selfless desire to mentor others rather than by personal ambition. At this level, you mentor managers who will not only train the next generation of leaders but also disseminate the gospel of leadership. You feed the cycle and take on the role of the model for the principles you teach.

Leadership in Business and Beyond

Leading a group or an organization to success is the essence of leadership in the business world. A competent leader inspires others to collaborate toward shared objectives, establishes a clear vision, and makes critical decisions. Effective leadership in the commercial world involves more than just task management. It also involves motivating others fostering strong bonds with others, and fostering an atmosphere where everyone can succeed.

 

Beyond the corporate world leadership is essential in all spheres of society including families, communities, and educational institutions. Taking charge finding solutions, and assisting people in realizing their potential are all components of leadership whether you’re heading a group of coworkers or planning a community gathering. Effective leadership is about changing things for the better wherever you are.

Conclusion

The Five Levels of Leadership offer a well-defined route for developing as a leader. A leader can advance from a Position, where followers follow out of obligation to Permission.  They gain trust, and finally to Production, where accomplishments establish credibility. The goal of the fourth stage People Development is to enable people to take on leadership roles.

 

Last but not least the Pinnacle level denotes the pinnacle of leadership, when influence is so great that others feel compelled to follow and are motivated to lead. Leaders can develop and leave a lasting impression by being aware of these levels.