The 5 Levels of Leadership

Leadership Is a Journey

Developing as a leader is like embarking on a voyage. As you progress, you will pass through “five levels of leadership.” Climbing to each successive level involves increasing amounts of work, but as you develop, you will find leadership easier. You cannot skip any level, and as you progress to a higher level, you “never leave the previous one behind.” Although moving up takes lifelong effort and commitment, you can fall from grace with horrendous speed, so never forsake your values. The higher you ascend, the greater your fulfillment will be, particularly since you’ll earn the opportunity – at the pinnacle of leadership – to develop future leaders and build a legacy.

Level 1: “Position”

Your leadership journey begins when you gain a managerial position. Someone believed in you and gave you a higher rank with more responsibility. Your first task is to show your boss and staffers how you intend to help them succeed.

Just having a top position doesn’t mean you are a leader, though your new title may mean you have arrived in terms of status. To ensure that your company grows, expand your capabilities. Leadership based on holding a...