Ever heard of Level 5 Leadership? Give this a read to learn all about the traits of a Level 5 Leader.

What is leadership? Is leadership the same as management? We may link these two terms but in reality, leadership and management are different. A leader not only copes successfully with change, but also is the instrument of change itself by expressing a vision, a way forward. The leader motivates and inspires others to fulfill the vision. A manager is all about the details, the bureaucracy that corporations need to function. Managers develop plans, execute those plans and analyze results. Effective leadership is critical to the success of a given corporation.
Level 5 Leadership
In this scenario, we will consider a successful corporation that has seen success, often credited to the strong leadership of its current CEO. We will refer to this CEO as Executive A. What characteristics contribute to the success of Executive A? The current CEO exhibits traits of a “Level 5 “leader. A “Level 5” leader apart from the qualities necessary for good leadership: team building, individual performance, strong managerial skills and success in the motivation of team members to improved performance, also has an added dimension that sets this leader apart: a paradoxical blend of humility and intense professional will.
Originally focused of commercial printing, Executive A provided a bold vision for success. Profits and a rise in stock have been attributed to the decision to diversify into other profitable business models. A “Level 5” leader who was bold in a similar way was Darwin Smith of Kimberley-Clark. Their company’s core paper business was losing money so in a dramatic move Smith announced a bold vision to save the company: sell its paper mills and invest all the proceeds into consumer properties like Kleenex and Huggies diapers. Smith’s bold vision saved the company.
Level 5 leaders are not ego driven but rather seek the advancement of the company they work for as imperative. You may not have heard of these ultra-successful leaders because they promote the successes of their team rather than themselves. Failures are readily shouldered by themselves rather than shift the blame to subordinates. These leaders look for leaders within the organization to promote and mentor. They are often concerned with who will succeed them and wish the company to do well in their absence.
Executive A avoids media attention but quickly advocates and praises subordinates. Under Executive A’s tenure, strong leadership teams have been developed, yet when misfires occur, Executive A shoulders the responsibility.
How can you apply the lessons learned from a Level 5 leader in your business?
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