John C Maxwell
Disclaimer: Some of the points may contradict and are too idealistic. Pick out the
ones you find relevant, try them out and make yours a leader of your own.
Level 1: Position
People follow you because they have to.
Beliefs to follow:
1. Titles are not enough. Leadership is above creating positive change.
2. Peoplenot positionare a leaders most valuable asset
3. A leader doesnt need to have all the answers. One how tries to be know
everything is merely insecure. A leaders job is not to know everything but
to attract people who know things that he or she does not.
4. A good leader needs to be willing to put his selfish ambitions aside for the
sake of the team and the vision of the organization. Being something
greater than yourself.
5. Remember to think about what kind of leader do I want to be? What are
my values? Who am i?
a. Herb Keller (CEO of Southwester Airlines): My best lesson on
leadership came during my early days as a trial lawyer. Wanting to
learn from the best, I went to see two of the most renowned lawyers
in San Antonio try cases. One sat there never objecting to anything,
but was very gentle with the witnesses and established a rapport
with the jury. The other was aggressive. And both seemed to win
every case. Thats when I realized THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT
PATHS, NOT ONE RIGHT PATH. THATS TRUE FOR LEADERSHIP AS
WELL. People with different personalities, different
approaches, different values succeed not because of one set
of values or practices is superior, BUT BECAUSE THEIR
VALUES AND PRACTICES ARE GENUINE.
Level 2: Permission
People follow you because they want to. You have developed good relationship,
built trust and treat people as individuals with value. The environment becomes
much more positive.
Upside:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Leadership
Leadership
Leadership
Leadership
Leadership
Downside:
Permission
Permission
Permission
Permission
Permission
Downside:
1. Requires making difficult decisions. Going first is not easy, but it is an
requirement of leadersit paves the way for people to follow and increase
their chances of success for completing the journey.
a. Be successful before you try to help others be successful
b. Hold yourself to ahigher standard than you ask of others
c. Make yourself accountable to others
d. Set tangible goals and then reach them
e. Accept responsibility for personal results
f. Admit failure and mistakes quickly and humbly
g.
2. Heavy responsibility
Upside
Pinnacle leaders stand out from everyone else. They are a cut above the rest,
and they seem to bring success with them wherever they go. Leader ship at this
high level lifts the entire organization and creates an environment that benefits
everyone in it, contributing to their success. Level 5 leaders often possess an
influence that transcends the organization and the industry the leader works in.
Most leaders who reach the Pinnacle do so later in their careers. But the Pinnacle
level is not a resting place for them to rest their laurels. It is reproducing place
from which they make the greatest impact of their lives. Thats why leaders who
reach the Pinnacle should make the most of it while they can. With gratitude and
humility, they should lift up as many leaders as they can, tackle as many great
challenges as possible, and extend their influence to make a positive difference
beyond their own organization and industry.