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The 5 Levels of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell

Our Book Summary:

The 5 Levels of Leadership” by John C. Maxwell is a very practical guide for any person desiring to grow into leadership. According to Maxwell, leadership has nothing to do with titles or positions, for leadership is an influence that can be developed through intentional growth and building of relationships. The five levels of leadership make it pretty practical for any leader regardless of their stage in life. He gives insights that are pretty deep on how one knows what to do and how to go about doing it. Application of this book’s principles will make you effective as a leader and change your organization. You will be able to create other leaders who will carry on your legacy. It is like a roadmap on how one becomes the kind of leader one wants to be.

Book Outline:

Leadership is all about Influence:  

  • Leadership is defined as the ability to influence, and not by titles, roles, and authority.

The Five Levels of Leadership:

  1. Position: This is where leadership begins. This is the level at which people follow you because they have to. It’s about the position and the rights that are granted to you but is the weakest form of leadership.
  2. Permission: Leadership starts with relationships. People do not follow you because of your authority. This level is based on fear. People follow you because they think you are credible and trustworthy. They follow you because they want to, and this level is based on trust and mutual respect.
  3. Production: Leaders at this stage have the capabilities and efficiency to manage things properly. This is the level of leadership where leaders are “results-based.” Leaders at this level attract others through what they have done and their ability to get things done.
  4. People Development: Leaders at this level focus their attention on developing other people into successive leaders. Success is whether or not the leader’s followers have grown to be effective leaders.
  5. Pinnacle: This is the highest level of leadership, where leaders are followed because of who they are and what they represent. Here, a leader’s influence extends beyond the organization; thus, a leader leaves a legacy that remains for a long time.

Leadership as a Process:

  • Considering leadership as dynamic and continuous, and not static. Thus, leaders must keep improving their skills and working on relationships to move up in the levels of leadership.

Incremental Growth:

  • Moving up in the levels is a designed process that takes time and effort. At each next stage, leaders build new skills, and they never abandon the work and relationships they’ve built at previous levels.

Impact on the Organization:

  • As the leader improves through the levels, the impact of his leadership will be felt in terms of higher productivity, and better morale within the group.
  • Finally, the effects will be visible in an organization as a strong and effective leader.

The Importance of Relationships:

  • Great relationships are required at any stage of the journey because there is no leadership if trust and respect aren’t there.

Legacy Leadership:

  • Leadership is a matter of leaving an impact and developing a culture of leadership that would outlive the leader.