John Maxwell: Five Levels of Leadership



One of the most influential books that I have ever read is a book by leadership guru John Maxwell: Developing the Leader Within You.  Developing your leadership abilities is vital in becoming successful and in helping your organization grow and achieve its goals.  I highly recommend this book to you.

Maxwell makes it clear that leadership is influence. “He who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is only taking a walk,” says Maxwell.  As a result, Maxwell has developed his Five Levels of Leadership.

1.       Position – Rights: people follow you because they have to.  This is the lowest level of leadership and the least productive level.  You are not a leader but a boss.  When people follow you because they have to, they will only do what is required but little extra.  A good leader has to take steps to get quickly to the second level. 

2.      Permission – Building relationships: people follow you because they want to.  At this level developing good relationships with the people you lead will move the organization forward because people will give more effort being led by someone they like and trust.  It is based on the leader developing relationships, and then the leader develops influence.

3.      Production – Production: people follow because of what you have done for the organization.  When you have a positive impact on the organization and help it to succeed, people will follow you because everyone benefits.

4.      People Development – Reproduction: people follow because of what you have done for them.  One function of leadership is helping your people find the niche where they fit in best in the organization and also help them to grow.  You help them to develop as a person and as a worker.  As you as a leader help them to succeed in their job, they are more willing to follow you.

5.      Personhood – Respect:  people follow you because of who you are and the respect that they have for you.  They like what you represent and as a result your leadership has more influence and people follow you.  At this level, you are able to develop other leaders.

This is just a quick overview.  Get the book!  I promise you it will change your view of leadership and you will be well on your way to growing as a leader.



Steve - ICAN Council Bluffs Center