How to Coach Yourself and Others How to Influence, Persuade and Motivate | Page 458

LEVEL 1 – POSITION
It comes with a title or job description according to John Maxwell and it is
the starting place for every level of leadership. People rely heavily on the
positions to lead and there is nothing wrong with having a leadership
position. In his own words, Maxwell noted that, it’s the bottom floor and
the foundation upon which influence must be built. Leaders at this initial
level have been invited to the leadership table, but they may not yet be able
to command respect outside of their stated authority.
Upside: First, it is given to people because they have leadership potential,
according to Maxwell. It is a privilege and hence authority is recognized.
Secondly, the position allows potential leaders to shape and define their
leadership. Quoting the Board chairman of Lead2lead, John Maxwell said,
“Leadership is much less about what you do and much more about who you
are”.
To succeed at this stage, one must know his values. Values, to J. Maxwell
can be in three areas, Ethical values, Relational values and success values.
And finally, he noted, mature leaders use their positions to drive high
performance.
Down side: 1. Having position is often misleading. It promises more than
it can deliver, according to John Maxwell. Leaders of position often have
the “I have arrived aspect.” Positional leaders make people feel small. To
Maxwell, leadership is action not positions. Positions often devalue people.
2. Positional leaders feed on politics. They work to gain titles.
3. Positional leaders place rights over responsibilities. Positional leaders
who rely on rights develop a self of entitlements. They expect to be served
instead of serve people. To add to the point Maxwell quoted Abraham
Lincoln “Nearly all men stand adversity but if you want to test a man’s
character, give him power”.
4. Positional leaders are often lonely. Leadership is not about standing on
top of other but standing beside others.
5. Positional leaders get branded and stranded. The position doesn’t make
the leader the leader makes the position.
In concluding this part, Maxwell noted some points needed to make the
most out of leve1.

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