Level 5 Leadership

What makes some leaders exceptional? Is it their courage? Their business acumen? Their expert knowledge? Their ability to organize? Their people skills?

Every great leader has their own special blend of skills. And if you're in a leadership role, you've likely wondered how you can find the right formula for you – taking you from good to great.

In this article, we'll examine "Level 5 Leadership" – one way to approach this. We'll explore what it takes to achieve greatness as a leader, and we'll outline strategies that you can use to move up to this top level of leadership.

What Is Level 5 Leadership?

The concept of Level 5 Leadership was created by business consultant Jim Collins. He wrote about it in a well-respected 2001 Harvard Business Review article, and published his research in his popular book, "Good to Great." [1]

Since 1996, Collins had been exploring what makes a great company. He'd begun by looking at 1,435 companies, and ended up choosing 11 that he defined as truly "great." These 11 companies were all headed by what Collins called "Level 5 Leaders."

He found that these leaders had humility, and they didn't seek success for their own glory; rather, they defined success in terms of how well teams and organizations were able to thrive together.

The leaders shared credit for the successes they achieved, but they were also the first to accept blame for mistakes.

Collins noted that these leaders were often "shy" in some ways – but fearless when it came to making decisions, especially the sorts of decisions that most people would consider to be risky.

Level 5 Leaders also possessed qualities found in four other levels of leadership that Collins identified. In his approach, although you don't have to pass sequentially through each individual level before you become a Level 5 Leader, you must have the skills and capabilities found in each level of the hierarchy.

Let's look at each of the five levels in more detail:

• Level 1: Highly Capable Individual. At this level, you make high-quality contributions with your work. You possess useful levels of knowledge, and you have the talent and skills needed to do a good job.
• Level 2: Contributing Team Member. At Level 2, you use your knowledge and skills to help your team succeed. You work effectively, productively and successfully with other people in your group.
• Level 3: Competent Manager. Here, you're able to organize a group effectively to achieve specific goals and objectives.
• Level 4: Effective Leader. Level 4 is the category that most top leaders fall into. Here, you're able to galvanize a department or organization to meet performance objectives and achieve a vision.
• Level 5: Great Leader. At Level 5, you have all of the abilities needed for the other four levels, plus you have the unique blend of humility and will that's required for true greatness.

Reprinted by permission of Harvard Business Review. From "Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve" by Jim Collins, January 2001. Copyright © 2001 by the Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation; all rights reserved. [2]

How to Become a Level 5 Leader

It takes time and effort to become a Level 5 Leader. But the good news is that it can be done, especially if you have the passion to try.

Again, it's important to realize that you don't have to progress through each level in turn in order to get to Level 5. But you do need the capabilities found in each level to achieve Level 5 status.

Here are some strategies that will help you to grow emotionally and professionally, so that you can develop the qualities of a Level 5 Leader:

Develop Humility

Level 5 Leaders are humble people. So, learn why humility is important, and make sure that you understand – at a deep, emotional level – why arrogance is so destructive. Then ensure that you behave in a humble way – for example, whenever your team has success, make sure that credit goes to them for their hard work.

Conversely, as a leader, you need to take responsibility for your team's efforts, even when things go wrong.

Ask for Help

Level 5 Leaders are sometimes mistakenly thought of as "weak," because they ask for help when they need it.

However, learning how to ask for help is a genuine strength, because it lets you call upon the expertise of someone stronger than you in a particular area. The result? The entire team or organization wins, not just you.

Take Responsibility

A top attribute of Level 5 Leaders is that they take responsibility for their team's mistakes or failings.

So make sure that you take responsibility for your (and your team's) actions. Our Book Insight "No Excuses! The Power of Self Discipline" has more on this.

Develop Discipline

Level 5 Leaders are incredibly disciplined in their work. When they commit to a course of action, no matter how difficult it is, they stick to their resolve.

If you know in your heart that you're right, then don't let naysayers dissuade you from a course of action. It's always important to listen to differing opinions, of course, but don't let fear be your driving motivator when you make, or change, a decision.

Find the Right People

Level 5 Leaders depend on the people around them. They spend time finding the right people, and helping them to reach their full potential, too.

If you're a leader or manager already, then you probably know without thinking who your best people are. However, you sometimes have to challenge these assumptions. Our article on The Leader-Member Exchange Theory shows you how to do this, so that you get the best from everyone on your team.

Lead With Passion

Level 5 Leaders are passionate about what they do, and they're not afraid to show it.

When you demonstrate to your team members that you love and believe in what you're doing, they will too. See our article on Working with Purpose to explore how to keep finding meaning in your work.

It's also important to create an inspiring vision for your people – and our article on Transformational Leadership offers some powerful advice about how to do this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How would you describe Level 5 Leadership?

Level 5 Leadership is a concept introduced by Jim Collins, describing leaders who possess a unique combination of humility and fierce resolve. These leaders prioritize their team's success over personal recognition.

What are the key traits of a Level 5 Leader?

Level 5 Leaders exhibit:

• Humility: They give credit to their team and take responsibility for failures.
  
• Fierce resolve: They are fearless in decision-making and determined to achieve success.
  
• Team-oriented success: They focus on the collective achievement of their organization rather than personal glory.

Can anyone become a Level 5 Leader?

Yes, with effort and commitment, individuals can cultivate the qualities of a Level 5 Leader. It requires emotional and professional growth, as well as a passion for continuous improvement.

How does Level 5 Leadership differ from other Leadership models?

While traditional leadership often highlights charisma, authority, or technical expertise, Level 5 Leadership emphasizes balancing humility with determination, prioritizing team success over personal ego, and combining the strengths of different leadership levels for holistic effectiveness.