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Leading on Level 4 requires high levels of maturity and skill. There are reasons that many leaders do not develop people. It is not easy! Consider these 4 primary causes that leaders breakdown at Level 4.

Self Centeredness can cause leaders to neglect people development – Maturity is the ability to think beyond yourself and to see things from another persons perspective. Said another way, when you become a leader you give up the right to think about yourself. If you are going to be successful at Level 4 leading you probably should devote 80% of your energy to helping others grow, learn, and achieve. If you focus is always on yourself and what you want then people become obstacles to your goals! Author Max Depree states the leader is the servant who removes obstacles that prevent people from doing their jobs. Perhaps the most famous statement on servant leadership is from Zig Ziglar, “If you will help others get what they want, they will help you get what you want.”

Insecurity can make leaders feel threatened by people development – Wayne Schmidt former Vice President of Wesley Seminary in Indiana stated “no amount of personal competency can compensate for personal insecurity.” Insecure leaders sabotage themselves and others. The leader focuses so heavily on his position there is little time to invest in others. If you suspect that your insecurities are preventing you from moving up to the People Development level of leadership, then be prepared to do some work in the following three areas – Ego, Control, and Trust. Jack Welch former CEO of General Electric sums these three areas by stating, “A leader’s role is not to control people or stay on top of things, but rather to guide, energize, and to excite.”

Shortsightedness can keep leaders from seeing the need for people development – How many times have you considered giving something to do and instead thought; it’s easier to just do it myself? We have all said and done this. To become a developer of people you have to adopt a LONG-TERM mindset. Doing work yourself is always faster and easier, but it is also short-term thinking! As a leader you must adopt a long-term mind-set for developing other people. If you pay the price on the front-end, the dividends. Shortsightedness like insecurity and selfishness is another sign of immaturity in a leader. When you choose to help another person become a competent leader, almost always it will take longer than you think and more difficult than you expect. YOU MUST DO IT ANYWAY! Otherwise you limit the potential for yourself, the people on your team, and the organization you are attempting to lead.

Lack of commitment can keep leaders from doing the hard of people development – Nearly anyone can lead others positionally. Many people can lead others relationally. Few people can be productive and put a team together to achieve goals. But very few people are both able and willing to develop others to become leaders. This is why most leaders will only lead followers. It takes tremendous effort to lead leaders!

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