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Significance Begins HEREEach of the five levels of leadership has a downside. The interesting note at Level 5 is that fewer leaders succumb to these downsides because few every reach this level. I want to mention three negatives for awareness should you reach this level of leading.
1.Being on the Pinnacle can make you think you have arrived – In the book by Jim Collins, How The Mighty Fall, he writes those who fall often have an entitlement mind-set, bolstered by arrogance. People at this level often feel they have nothing else to learn in life. May I suggest that if you are through learning, then you are through.
2.Being on the Pinnacle can lead you to believe your own press – remember that you started on the bottom like everyone else and worked your way to this moment of life. You had to prove your worth. Be confident, but remain humble first.
3.Being on the Pinnacle can make you lose focus – Lee Iacocca became a “rock-star” in the business world for savoring Chrysler/Dodge in the first half of his tenure. In the second half, Chrysler lost 31% of market share and retired in disgrace.
Here are six suggestions on how to do something that is greater than yourself.
Make Room For Others At The Top
Most leader make it their priority to cultivate followers instead of leaders. When you do this you do not create enough room for leadership development. When you develop leaders you increase the capacity of influence thereby increasing the size and reach of the organization. As a leader your desire is to be succeeded instead of always being needed. That means you have to give away power instead of hoarding it.
Continually Mentor Potential Level 5 Leaders
Who will be your successor and where are you going to find such a person? The answer lies within those leaders that you are attempting to take with you. If you are the star at the top and it is all about you – your accomplishments will fade because you failed to take the time to invest in others.
Create an Inner Circle That Will Keep You Grounded
Inner circle members help take organizations to new heights. Jim Collins in his book How The Mighty Fall, writes about erosion of healthy teams in highly successful organizations – “There is a marked decline in the quality and amount of dialogue and debate; there is a shift toward either consensus or dictatorial management rather than a process of argument and disagreement followed by unified commitment to execute decisions.”
Do Things For The Organization That Only Level 5 Leaders Can Do
At Level 5 you see things and do things that cannot be done at any other level of leadership development. This is not about creating and leading for your sake. Create and do things that influence the masses – this is legacy building!
Plan For Your Succession
Leaving a successor is the last great gift that you can give an organization. Leadership transitions must be planned and executed. Lorin Woolfe writes, “The ultimate test of a leader is not whether they made smart decisions and took bold action. Rather it whether they taught people to continue the success of the organization after they are gone. EGO has no place at Level 5 leading!
Leave A Positive Legacy
Someone asked Billy Graham what was the one surprising discovery he had made in life. He responded, The brevity of life!” Life is short and who will you entrust to continue the mission of the organization? Keep in mind that your legacy is the sum total of your whole life, not just a few highlights. What will your legacy become? Decide today! Then take action each and every day to leave that legacy behind.
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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!
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