202305120829 Status: #idea #🧠 Tags: #leadership #management #business # Level 5 Leadership According to Collins, the best leaders display a powerful mixture of personal humility and indomitable will. They're incredibly ambitious, but their ambition is first and foremost for the cause, for the organization and its purpose, not themselves. ## Levels of Leadership 1. **Highly Capable Individual**: At this level, individuals make productive contributions through their talent, knowledge, skills, and good work habits. 2. **Contributing Team Member**: At the second level, individuals use their skills to work effectively as part of a team and contribute to the achievement of group objectives. 3. **Competent Manager**: At this level, individuals can organize a group effectively to achieve specific goals and objectives. 4. **Effective Leader**: These leaders are able to catalyze commitment to and vigorous pursuit of a clear and compelling vision, stimulating higher performance standards. 5. **Executive**: At the highest level, leaders blend the paradoxical combination of deep personal humility with intense professional will, which Collins terms as Level 5 leadership. They build enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. ### Humility and Professional Will Level 5 leaders exhibit a paradoxical mix of personal humility and professional will. They possess a fierce resolve to do what is best for the organization, yet they remain humble in their interactions and recognition. Their ambition is channeled not towards personal gain but towards the success of the organization. ### Windows and Mirrors The window and mirror analogy is a signature characteristic of Level 5 leaders. When things go well, these leaders look out the window, attributing success to factors outside themselves. They give credit to the team, external circumstances, and good luck. Conversely, when things go wrong, they look in the mirror, taking personal responsibility for failures and setbacks, rather than blaming others. ### Building to Last Level 5 leaders focus on creating sustainable success, ensuring that their organizations continue to thrive even after their departure. They are committed to building a foundation of greatness that outlasts their tenure and sets up their successors for success. This is in stark contrast to leaders who, driven by ego, may set up their successors for failure. ### Committment to Personal Development Level 5 leaders embody a commitment to continual learning and personal growth. They believe in constantly improving their skills and abilities to serve their organization effectively. Darwin Smith, the former CEO of Kimberly-Clark, encapsulated this mindset when he said, "I never stop trying to become qualified for the job." ### Quiet Resolve Unlike charismatic leaders who motivate through the force of their personality, Level 5 leaders lead with quiet, steadfast determination. They may not have a larger-than-life persona, but they demonstrate an unwavering resolve to do whatever must be done to produce the best long-term results, no matter how difficult. ### The Servant Leader Level 5 leaders often exemplify the concept of servant leadership. They see their role as serving the needs of the organization and its people, rather than commanding from the top. Their primary aim is to make their team and organization successful. [[Alan Mulally]] talks about this as part of his [[Working Together Management System]]. --- # References - [Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't](https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996) - [Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve](https://hbr.org/2005/07/level-5-leadership-the-triumph-of-humility-and-fierce-resolve)