Read Online The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential by John C. Maxwell - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: John C. Maxwell
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to get out of your territory. You need to stop being king of the hill, get down from your high place, and find your people. You must move beyond your job description, both in terms of the work you do and the way you interact with your people. You must make it your responsibility to learn who they are, find out what they need, and help them and the team win.
“Let him that would move the world, first move himself.”
—
Socrates
In order to do anything new in life, we must be willing to leave our comfort zone. That involves taking risks, which can be frightening. However, each time we leave our comfort zone and conquer new territory, it not only expands our comfort zone but also enlarges us. If you want to grow as a leader, be prepared to be uncomfortable. But know this: the risks are well worth the rewards.
The Laws of Leadership at the Position Level
P eople frequently want to know how the many concepts in my various books go together. As I’ve taught the 5 Levels of Leadership over the years, the book they’ve asked most about is
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
. “Which laws do you practice on Level 1?” people ask. The truth is that every law can be practiced on every level. However, it is also true that certain laws are best learned as a person grows and moves up the 5 Levels of Leadership. I’ve included an explanation of the Laws of Leadership that best apply to each level. They are certainly not necessary for one to learn the 5 Levels, but they are provided for reference in the event that it can serve you in your growth process.
The Law of the Lid
Leadership Ability Determines a Person’s Level of Effectiveness
Every person has a lid on his or her leadership potential. We are not all gifted equally. The challenge we all face is growing and developing to our full leadership potential, thereby raising the lid on our actual leadership ability.
The single greatest hindrance to a leader’s growth is becoming positional in thinking. Anytime you think you’ve arrived—whether your position is the lowest or the highest in the organization—you’velowered your expectations for yourself, sold your leadership short, and fallen into a no-growth mind-set. People cannot reach their leadership potential by staying on Level 1.
If you are willing to forget about title and position, and instead focus on your potential, you will remove a great weight that would otherwise hold you down. If you want to break through your leadership lids and lift your leadership, you must move beyond Level 1.
The Law of Process
Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day
A leadership position can be received in a day, but leadership development is a lifelong process. Those who have a Position mind-set often say things like “Today I became a leader.” What they need to think is,
Today I received a leadership position. I will endeavor every day to become a better leader.
That is embracing the Law of Process. Making that kind of statement emphasizes that the leadership appointment is only a starting point, and staying there means you would never actually begin your leadership journey.
The Law of the Navigation
Anyone Can Steer the Ship, But It Takes a Leader to Chart the Course
When you receive a leadership position, it’s wise to recognize how early you are in the leadership journey and how much you still have to learn. The Law of Navigation is a good reminder of that.
My friend Bill Hybels loves to sail and is quite an accomplished sailor. A few years ago, he and I and our wives enjoyed a few days sailing in the British Virgin Islands along with two other couples. The boat we rented came with its own captain and crew, but we also got to participate in the sailing of the vessel. On the first day out, Bill had meat the wheel and he gave me instructions as I attempted to sail the boat. It wasn’t easy, but after a few hours I began to get the hang of it.
Why do I mention this? Because as a novice sailor, I was able to steer the
“Let him that would move the world, first move himself.”
—
Socrates
In order to do anything new in life, we must be willing to leave our comfort zone. That involves taking risks, which can be frightening. However, each time we leave our comfort zone and conquer new territory, it not only expands our comfort zone but also enlarges us. If you want to grow as a leader, be prepared to be uncomfortable. But know this: the risks are well worth the rewards.
The Laws of Leadership at the Position Level
P eople frequently want to know how the many concepts in my various books go together. As I’ve taught the 5 Levels of Leadership over the years, the book they’ve asked most about is
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
. “Which laws do you practice on Level 1?” people ask. The truth is that every law can be practiced on every level. However, it is also true that certain laws are best learned as a person grows and moves up the 5 Levels of Leadership. I’ve included an explanation of the Laws of Leadership that best apply to each level. They are certainly not necessary for one to learn the 5 Levels, but they are provided for reference in the event that it can serve you in your growth process.
The Law of the Lid
Leadership Ability Determines a Person’s Level of Effectiveness
Every person has a lid on his or her leadership potential. We are not all gifted equally. The challenge we all face is growing and developing to our full leadership potential, thereby raising the lid on our actual leadership ability.
The single greatest hindrance to a leader’s growth is becoming positional in thinking. Anytime you think you’ve arrived—whether your position is the lowest or the highest in the organization—you’velowered your expectations for yourself, sold your leadership short, and fallen into a no-growth mind-set. People cannot reach their leadership potential by staying on Level 1.
If you are willing to forget about title and position, and instead focus on your potential, you will remove a great weight that would otherwise hold you down. If you want to break through your leadership lids and lift your leadership, you must move beyond Level 1.
The Law of Process
Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day
A leadership position can be received in a day, but leadership development is a lifelong process. Those who have a Position mind-set often say things like “Today I became a leader.” What they need to think is,
Today I received a leadership position. I will endeavor every day to become a better leader.
That is embracing the Law of Process. Making that kind of statement emphasizes that the leadership appointment is only a starting point, and staying there means you would never actually begin your leadership journey.
The Law of the Navigation
Anyone Can Steer the Ship, But It Takes a Leader to Chart the Course
When you receive a leadership position, it’s wise to recognize how early you are in the leadership journey and how much you still have to learn. The Law of Navigation is a good reminder of that.
My friend Bill Hybels loves to sail and is quite an accomplished sailor. A few years ago, he and I and our wives enjoyed a few days sailing in the British Virgin Islands along with two other couples. The boat we rented came with its own captain and crew, but we also got to participate in the sailing of the vessel. On the first day out, Bill had meat the wheel and he gave me instructions as I attempted to sail the boat. It wasn’t easy, but after a few hours I began to get the hang of it.
Why do I mention this? Because as a novice sailor, I was able to steer the
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