The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential (7 page)
Read The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential Online
Authors: John C. Maxwell
I have developed many leaders who are developers of leaders.
I enjoy the interaction and friendship of a small circle of leaders with whom I am taking the leadership journey.
I am still at the top of my game, and the positive impact I am making is strong.
I can name at least one person who would be ready to step in and take my place should I decide to leave my current position.
I have influence outside of my organization.
People from outside of my specific industry seek me out for leadership advice.
I am using my influence and resources for causes greater than myself or my organization.
In leadership, you are only as good as the lowest level you’ve mastered. So I just want to remind you that even if you scored highly in one of the higher levels, if you scored poorly on a lower level, your leadership is actually on that lower level. That is where you will need to give your attention when working with people to improve your leadership ability.
F
or each person you oversee directly (direct reports), please answer yes or no to the questions on the following worksheet. (Be sure to complete Part 2 before moving on to Part 3.)
| Name of Team Member: | Date: | |
Level 1 | ||
| Yes | No | This person acknowledges you as his or her leader. |
| Yes | No | This person would agree that you are suited for the leadership position you hold. |
| Yes | No | This person would acknowledge that you see your position as an opportunity to earn your place at the leadership table, not as a privilege to be used for personal advancement. |
Level 2 | ||
| Yes | No | You know things about this person’s family and personal life outside of his or her work. |
| Yes | No | You know this person’s strengths and weaknesses. |
| Yes | No | You know this person’s hopes and dreams. |
| Yes | No | You are committed to helping this person succeed in his or her work. |
| Yes | No | This person trusts you and you trust him or her. |
Level 3 | ||
| Yes | No | This person respects your professional ability and qualities. |
| Yes | No | This person asks for your advice and expertise. |
| Yes | No | This person has become more productive because of your influence. |
| Yes | No | This person would acknowledge that the team is more productive because of your leadership. |
| Yes | No | This person would agree that your team contributes to the vision and purpose of the organization. |
Level 4 | ||
| Yes | No | You have given this person specific training that has helped him or her to perform better. |
| Yes | No | You have mentored this person or put him or her in a development process that has helped him or her to become a better leader. |
| Yes | No | This person is now leading others because you have given opportunities and training for him or her to lead. |
| Yes | No | This person is consistently loyal and supportive, and always gives you the benefit of the doubt. |
| Yes | No | This person is not only leading others but has trained those he or she leads to develop leaders thanks to your input. |
Level 5 | ||
| Yes | No | This person could step into your role with a very high probability of success if you were to step down. |
| Yes | No | This person is your advocate and champions you with other leaders so that you gain others’ respect even before you meet them. |
You can learn two things from this assessment: First, you can understand where you are with each person on the 5 Levels of Leadership based on your answers. If you answered
no
more times than
yes
in a section, then you have not gotten to that level with that person. (Instead, you would be on the level below that one.)
The second thing you can learn is where you need to work to improve. A
no
answer to any statement indicates where you need to do some work.
A
sk each of the people who report directly to you to fill out the following worksheet for you. They may do so anonymously if they wish. Use the same criteria for evaluating this assessment as you used to evaluate the Part 2 assessment you completed.
Note that even if you are a very good leader, you may have an employee or volunteer who refuses to put you anywhere but Level 1. You can try to win over that person on Level 2 and then progress, but there are no guarantees that the person will allow him-or herself to be won over.
| Name of Leader: | Date: |
Please read each statement and respond with yes or no in reference to the leader whose name is listed above. There are no right or wrong answers. This assessment is designed only to describe your interaction with the person. (If you wish, you may answer this assessment anonymously.)
| Yes | No | You acknowledge this person as your leader. |
| Yes | No | This person is well-suited for the leadership position he or she holds. |
| Yes | No | This person treats the leadership position as an opportunity to earn a place at the leadership table, not as a privilege to be used for personal advancement. |
| Yes | No | This leader cares about your family and personal life outside of work and regularly asks you questions about them. |
| Yes | No | This leader knows your strengths and weaknesses. |
| Yes | No | This leader knows and respects your hopes and dreams. |
| Yes | No | This leader is committed to helping you succeed in your work. |
| Yes | No | You trust this leader and he or she trusts you. |