"Demonstrates confidence in his company (people) and its products..."
Brad Respess on a Level 5 Realizor*
On Saturday, I asked myself whether I fit Jim Collins' description of a level 5 leader. Two statements resurfaced today: "Acts with quiet, calm determination..." and "Demonstrates a compelling modesty..." If you ask someone who knows me whether or not this is me, chances are pretty good that they will say, "No, not really. Yes, he is determined. He's not really arrogant, but compelling modesty...I don't know**. But, I wouldn't first describe him with those two statements."
Does the leader of an organization need to act in a quiet and calm manner and with a modesty that is compelling? Will this level 5 leader transform a company (start one from nothing/go from okay to great or even okay to good) or be better suited to steadily increase the value of an established enterprise such as Walgreen's or Wells Fargo?
Consider this review by Freda Turner:
Collins uses Lee Iaccoca as an example of a Level 4 Leader. During the first half of his term as CEO of Chrysler, he was totally focused on Chrysler's success. A stock market analyst called him the greatest turnaround CEO in history. Then Iacocca started appearing on The Today Show and Larry King Live sharing his turnaround story. He personally starred in over 80 commercials and entertained the idea of running for president of the U.S. He once made the comment that he could handle the national economy in six months. He wrote two books that sold 7 million copies. In the meantime, the stock of Chrysler fell 31% behind the general market.
I keep asking myself if Iacocca was a level 5 leader until he started doing the interviews. Suppose Collins had only said, "During the first half of his term as CEO of Chrysler, he was totally focused on Chrysler's success. A stock market analyst called him the greatest turnaround CEO in history." Based on Collins description, I would have to say he probably wouldn't have qualified. But wasn't the first half of his term good? Needed? Beneficial? Could the first half of his term be described as level 5 something else?
At first, I was very concerned that I might not fit the mold of the level 5 leader as Collins defined it. But, I don't think I really want to be. I don't think it's who I was made to be.
*Realizor: A Leader Whose Goal is to Help a Company and its Employees Realize Their Full Potential Value
**"...If he had a compelling modesty, how would he sell our products to new customers?"
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