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You Can Have A Leadership Plan For LIFE!

It is well known that everything rises and falls on leadership. Because this is true, I personally have been on a learning journey that has taken me through 35+ years of leading nonprofits, strategic committees, teaching in foreign countries, 14 years of formal education, and a commitment to be a life learner.

To discuss the 5 Levels of Leadership is to start by defining leadership as a VERB and not a NOUN! Leadership is a process and not a position. There was a day in which the words leadership and management were used interchangeably. Today I believe that most people understand there is a huge difference between these two topics.

Management at its best presumes keeping things the way they have always been. Leadership on the other hand deals with people and their changing dynamics of which by the way, are continually changing! They are never static.

The ultimate challenge of leadership is to create change and facilitate growth. This requires movement of which is inherent in moving from one level of leadership to the next.

In this series we will look at 5 levels of leadership and the various sub-sets under each of these levels. I totally get the notion that leadership can be overwhelming and confusing. WHERE DO YOU START? Just thinking about the process, how to gain influence, how to develop a productive team, and how to develop followers into leaders can be overwhelming. By breaking down the subject of leadership into 5 levels, we will attempt to make these subjects and many others understandable.

The 5 Levels of Leadership can provide a game plan on how to think and act our way into a stronger position of leadership. Please understand that good leadership is not about advancing yourself, it is about advancing the team.

Here is a list of the 5 Levels of Leadership with a quick synopsis.

1. Position – Position is the lowest level of leadership – the entry level. The only influence you have at this level is title. People follow you because they have to.

2. Permission – This level is based solely upon relationships. You can like people without leading them, but you cannot lead people well without liking them.

3. Production – This level is based upon results. This is the level that momentum kicks in. Joe Namath once stated, “When you are winning, nothing hurts.”

4. People Development – Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others. Production may win games, but People Development wins championships. It is at this level that teamwork goes to a high level. Secondly performance increases.

5. Pinnacle – This is the highest level of leadership. Level 5 leadership requires the highest level of skill, talent and intentionality. Because of this only the naturally gifted leaders ever make it to this level. Leaders at this level often transcend their position, their organization and sometimes their industry.

Do not lose sight of the idea that we are discussing a GAME PLAN FOR LIFE! This is not a quick fix. This is about learning the difference between “Strategic Action” Vs. “Strategic Thinking.” One is about acting with the market principles and strategies with out asking “Is this the right thing to do in the first place.”

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!