The field of leadership science has seen the emergence of many theories and innovations, but John Maxwell's 5 Levels of Leadership stands out for its sharp reasoning and high applicability. If you're a manager wondering about how to advance your leadership career, then this article is for you. Let’s dive into the details to find out where you are on your leadership journey and how to move forward.
Dr. John C. Maxwell is a renowned figure in leadership training, having inspired and guided over 6 million leaders worldwide. His influence spreads through his heartfelt books and speeches, making him a New York Times bestselling author with over 30 million copies sold.
His reputation is further solidified by prestigious awards:
For Dr. John C. Maxwell, leadership isn’t about titles or organizational charts. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of building relationships and having a positive impact on those around you.
“Leadership isn’t about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It’s about one life influencing another.” - John C. Maxwell
The 5 Levels of Leadership is one of Dr. John Maxwell’s most prominent contributions over his 50-year career. According to him, every leader progresses through five levels in their leadership journey:
John Maxwell’s 5 Levels of Leadership model is not only a tool for self-assessment but also a guide to help you advance in your leadership journey and take your organization to new heights.
In addition to Dr. John Maxwell’s 5 Levels of Leadership, Jim Collins' 5 Levels of Leadership is another iconic model in modern leadership science. We won't go too far into this model in this article.
Jim Collins’ model focuses on the key qualities and abilities needed to take a business from “good” to “great”, with 5 levels of leadership that are based not on position, but on individual leadership capabilities:
According to John Maxwell’s model, a Level 5 leader represents the pinnacle of leadership development. These leaders have a deep and wide-reaching impact and achieve significant success for their businesses. Becoming a Level 5 leader brings personal success and benefits your organization, community, and future generations.
First, as a Level 5 leader, you develop a strong and resilient character, serving as a role model for others. This creates a more positive and open work environment where all team members feel respected, trusted, and are motivated to contribute voluntarily. The ultimate result is a united, high-performance organization that enjoys sustainable success.
Level 5 leaders can identify and fully utilize the potential of each individual. You guide employees to improve their abilities, empower them, and provide opportunities for them to showcase their skills, fostering a culture of learning and creativity.
As a result, your team will grow in skills, knowledge, and a sense of responsibility, contributing to the overall goals of the business.
While the accomplishments of a Level 5 leader may be personal, they can be passed down and learned by others. For example, your strategies and initiatives could serve as a model or training material for developing future managers within the organization.
As a Level 5 leader, the values, culture, and accomplishments you build don’t just influence your current team, they inspire future leaders. You become a role model of ethics, responsibility, and courage in pursuing high ideals.
At this point, you might wonder: Do John Maxwell’s 5 Levels of Leadership always follow a strict order?
The answer is yes. This is because each level builds on the foundation of the previous one, gradually developing a leader’s capabilities.
For example, you can’t earn the admiration of others (Level 3) if you haven’t first built trust (Level 2). Similarly, it’s difficult to lead others (Level 4) if you haven’t gained experience and delivered results (Level 3).
While the order of the 5 levels is logical, leadership development is not always linear. You can focus on improving skills at one level while still building the foundation for the next.
Level 1 - Position is the starting point of your leadership journey. At this stage, your title doesn’t reflect your leadership ability. Employees follow your directives simply because you’re the “boss”. You haven’t yet built influence, and your position could easily be replaced by anyone.
Leaders at Level 1 often rely on company policies and rules to control employees. As a result, tasks get done, but without much enthusiasm or commitment.
To move beyond this level, you need to face challenges and develop yourself to become a leader that employees respect and trust. Keep these in mind:
Level 2 - Permission marks a critical transition in your leadership journey. At this level, people follow you not just because of your title, but because they trust you and want to be led by you.
Here, employees appreciate you as a leader and value the relationships you’ve built. You’ll realize that leadership isn’t just about authority, it’s about fostering deeper, stronger connections with your team. To progress to higher leadership levels, keep in mind:
Level 3 - Production is a crucial milestone in John Maxwell’s 5 Levels of Leadership. Leaders at this level earn respect not just because of their qualities but through tangible accomplishments.
According to John Maxwell, a leader needs admiration more than affection. Nothing leaves a lasting impression like real results. If you want to build trust and strong relationships, you must deliver results before communicating your message.
At Level 3, you and your team have achieved outstanding success and significantly contributed to the company’s profitability. This is where you begin to shine with your accomplishments, attracting and inspiring others, which enhances overall performance. To continue growing your leadership skills and making a greater impact, you should:
After reaching Level 3, many leaders stop, believing they have nothing more to strive for. However, the real challenge only begins at the next level.
Level 4 - People development focuses on nurturing talent. At this level, leaders play a critical role in enhancing employees’ abilities and grooming them to become future leaders.
You’ll start identifying individual strengths and help your team develop the skills they lack using a 5-step process:
At Level 4, your vision isn’t just limited to immediate goals; it extends to the legacy you leave behind for the organization. That legacy is the future leaders you’ve mentored and trained. To advance from Level 3 to Level 4, you must:
Level 5 - Pinnacle is the ultimate achievement in leadership. This is the level that every leader aspires to reach. To conquer this pinnacle, you must continuously strive and stay committed to your goals.
Many people ask: What makes Level 5 different from the previous levels? Isn’t leaving a legacy for your successors already the pinnacle of leadership?
The difference lies in the fact that at Level 5, your success is achieved through the success of others. The highest goal of leadership at this level is to develop a new generation of leaders who are even more talented than you. This is driven by the idea of nurturing and developing successors, not personal ambition.
At Level 5, you focus on spreading leadership principles, coaching managers to succeed, and training the next generation of leaders. Not only do you guide your employees, but you also:
Take time to assess yourself and determine your current leadership level. From there, you can plan how to develop the skills needed to reach Level 5, the pinnacle of leadership success.
To determine your leadership level within John Maxwell’s 5 Levels of Leadership model, evaluate your skills and experience based on the following characteristics:
Level 1 - Positional leadership:
Level 2 - Permission-based leadership:
Level 3 - Capable leadership:
Level 4 - People development leadership:
Level 5 - Pinnacle leadership:
To conquer Level 5 - Pinnacle, you need persistence, creativity, and dedication. Focus on self-development, building relationships, empowering others, and sharing your experiences. With determination and courage, you can achieve greatness and leave a lasting legacy in leadership.
John Maxwell’s 5 levels of leadership model is not just theory; it’s a guiding path for anyone who wants to become an exceptional leader. Though the journey may be filled with challenges, the rewards of advancing through the levels of leadership are invaluable: admiration, respect, and lasting contributions to your organization and society.