On a Scale of 1-5, Rate Your Leadership Abilities
I’m confident that those of you who read our newsletter are high achievers. In most cases you supervise, manage, or lead a team.
With that in mind, I encourage you to read at least one leadership book this year…and if you don’t know which one to read then let me recommend:
John Maxwell’s
5 levels of leadership
I admire John Maxwell. If you don’t know who he is then today is a good day to do a simple search. One of his primary philosophies is “servant leadership”. That works in my brain because I have such a belief that we are all in service to each other.
At TrainerTainment, our job, our commitment, our orders of service are enmeshed in teaching others. Finding solutions and promoting others is the fastest and most rewarding path to success. When I started this company nearly nine years ago I could not have articulated why we do what we do as simply as I can now.
Keeping it simple is a gift. When it comes to leading others,John Maxwell gives a profoundly simple 5 step method of understanding who leaders are and how they are perceived. I think you should read the book but if you don’t have time, finish the newsletter and you’ll get the gist.
Step 1 – I do it (competence) Someone gets promoted because they are awesome at their job. This is the, “I’m the boss” step. Step 1 is a place that that leaders often get stuck. Because of the high level of competency it seems easier to just do the job rather than empower someone else.
Step 2 – I do it and you are with me (demonstration) There is real growth in this step. The leader begins to develop relationships with the team. Step 2 allows leaders to gain confidence in another. The team member also begins to develop.
Step 3 – You do it and I am with you (coaching) Now the team member understands that high performance is an expectation and the leader is with you. The leader is there for you. When your team gets it that you have their back, you count on them, and you trust that they can do the job at a high level, BIG things begin to happen.
Step 4 – You do it (empowerment)
Once great competency is achieved at level 4 then the growth can continue. The leader is now able to do so much more. When the team is empowered the leader can take the next step into the future.
Step 5 – You do it and someone is with you (reproduction)
If you own, manage, supervise or want to be in a leadership position, take this 5 step method to heart. It’s no fun to think you have to do all the work. A great leader is always trying to work themselves out of a job. Look at who you have today. Who do you really want to work with you?
I’m so excited by the simplicity of how to think of this process. I realize the doing it is more difficult than thinking about it.
I hope you take a minute today to consider where you are… what are you good at? What level are you operating at today, at this moment?
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