The 5 Levels of Leadership

What’s the difference between a good leader and a great leader? According to John Maxwell, leadership expert, best-selling author, and founder of the world-famous John Maxwell Group, the answer depends on what level of leadership ability a person reaches. In 5 Levels of Leadership, Maxwell outlines the various stages of leadership from least evolved to most evolved.

What are the 5 Levels of Leadership?

Level 1 – Position

A leader grants a particular person the right to lead. As a result, people follow them because they are directed to, not because they are influential.

Level 2 – Permission

The leader focuses on building and growing relationships with their employees. As a result, their team members give them free permission to lead.

Level 3 – Production

When a leader reaches Level Three, they focus on the increase of results. In turn, people follow them because they trust the person knows what they’re doing and will lead them in the right direction.

Level 4 – People Development

Those who reach Level Four are servant leaders who teach, mentor, and multiply other leaders. They obtain and maintain followers because people know they positively influence the lives of everyone around them.

Level 5 – Pinnacle

Level Five leaders—the rarest type of leader—are well-known for their accomplishments, how they’ve enriched the lives of others, and led their organizations to change the world for the better. These leaders have followers because of who they are, what they’ve done, and what they represent to people.

John Maxwell is a leadership expert who has written more than ten books on the subject, several of which are New York Times bestsellers.