Not everyone wants to be a leader but for those who do, what kind of a leader do you want to be? What kind of a leader are you? Do you see yourself as others see you?
Leadership expert John Maxwell developed the concept of the Five Levels of Leadership, a framework that has stood the test of time and remains one of the most practical models for understanding where you are as a leader — and where you need to go.
Level 1: Position — People follow you because they have to. This is the entry level of leadership, based on title alone. While necessary, staying here long-term signals a lack of growth.
Level 2: Permission — People follow you because they want to. At this level, leadership is about building relationships and trust. People give you their effort because they believe in you as a person, not just your title.
Level 3: Production — People follow you because of what you have done for the organization. Results matter. Leaders at this level create momentum and demonstrate that they can deliver tangible outcomes.
Level 4: People Development — People follow you because of what you have done for them personally. The best leaders invest in developing others. They multiply their impact by raising up new leaders around them.
Level 5: Pinnacle — People follow you because of who you are and what you represent. Very few leaders reach this level. It is reserved for those who have spent a lifetime developing others and building an enduring legacy of leadership excellence.
The question each of us must answer is not simply 'Am I a leader?' but rather 'What kind of leader am I becoming?' The journey through these five levels is not automatic — it requires intentional effort, humility, and a genuine commitment to serving others.