Level 1 of The 5 Levels of Leadership

You may have heard it said that everything rises and falls on leadership.

But what exactly is leadership?

Leadership is influence.

The more influence you earn, the more people you can lead.

Some are natural-born leaders.

The rest of us have to learn how to be an effective leader.

Fortunately for us, there is a clear process, but a few points before we begin:

Point 1: You are at a different leadership level with each person.

Point 2: Each level builds upon the next.

Point 3: If you switch divisions for companies, you start over at Level 1, and have to earn your way back up.

There are 5 Levels of Leadership (see John Maxwell’s book The 5 Levels of Leadership) in fact, so let’s begin…

Level 1: Position

This is when you have just been promoted to a leadership position.

This is usually given because you have leadership potential.

It’s an invitation to grow as a leader.

Welcome to the table; however, this is the worst level to stay at because at this level, people only follow you because they have to.

They will only do what’s required of them and nothing more.

You don’t have their heart nor respect, yet. You’re just an authority.

The Upside of the Position: You Have Been Invited to the Leadership Table
The Downside of the Position: True Leadership Isn’t About Position

Positional Leadership is only about being the “boss” and nothing more.

It’s a very weak level of influence based only on a title.

Anyone can be appointed to a position.

Those of us who have had a boss who we did not like, know exactly what I’m talking about.

Leaders who rely on position and say things like, “Because I’m the boss!”  tend to devalue people.

Positional leaders feed on politics and are always jockeying for a better position.

They also rely on rights over responsibility.

Positional leadership is lonely and turnover is high.

But, what about your leadership?

Do you struggle to get your team to go the extra mile?

Do you have to refer back to the policy and guidelines just to get them to do what’s required of them?

Do they stress you out?

Well, you may currently be a Level 1 Leader with them.

If so, don’t fret, I have good news for you.

Here are 4 things you can do to grow through Level 1.

1. Influence starts with gratitude, so thank the person who promoted you:
   1. If you’ve been promoted it’s an indication that somebody believes in you.
2. Get to know your people:
   1. You’ve heard the saying, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Learn about each person’s dreams, desires, as well as their communication styles.
3. Work alongside them:
   1. Ask them how you can help them to achieve their objectives, and then do everything you can to help them, while encouraging them every step of the way.
4. Focus on the vision:
   1. You’re all in this together to grow the company or organization because the rising tide lifts all boats.