How to Coach Yourself and Others Influencing, Inter Personal and Leadership Skills | Seite 136

Level 3—Production
One of the dangers of getting to the permission level is that a leader will stop there. But
good leaders don’t just create a pleasant working environment. They get things done!
That’s why they must move up to Level 3, which is based on results. On the production
level leaders gain influence and credibility, and people begin to follow them because of
what they have done for the organization.
Many positive things begin happening when leaders get to Level 3. Work gets done,
morale improves, profits go up, turnover goes down and goals are achieved. It is also on
Level 3 that momentum kicks in.
Leading and influencing others becomes fun on this level. Success and productivity have
been known to solve a lot of problems.
Level 4—People Development
Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to
empower others. That is what leaders do on Level 4. They use their position,
relationships and productivity to invest in their followers and develop them until those
followers become leaders in their own right. The result is reproduction; Level 4 leaders
reproduce themselves.
Production may win games, but people development wins championships. Two things
always happen on Level 4. First, teamwork goes to a very high level. Why? Because the
high investment in people deepens relationships, helps people to know one another
better and strengthens loyalty. Second, performance increases. Why? Because there are
more leaders on the team, and they help to improve everybody’s performance.
Level 4 leaders change the lives of the people they lead. Accordingly, their people follow
them because of what their leaders have done for them personally. And their
relationships are often lifelong.
Level 5—Pinnacle
The highest and most difficult level of leadership is the pinnacle. While most people can
learn to climb to Levels 1 through 4, Level 5 requires not only effort, skill and
intentionality, but also a high level of talent. Only naturally gifted leaders ever make it to
this highest level. What do leaders do on Level 5? They develop people to become Level
4 leaders.
Developing leaders to the point where they are able and willing to develop other leaders
is the most difficult leadership task of all. But here are the payoffs: Level 5 leaders
develop Level 5 organizations. They create opportunities that other leaders don’t. They
create legacy in what they do. People follow them because of who they are and what
they represent. In other words, their leadership gains a positive reputation. As a result,
Level 5 leaders often transcend their position, their organization and sometimes their
industry.