I’ve been reading the book “Good to Great” by Jim Collins.
It’s something that I think is directly relevant to me since I’m trying to built a great, enduring company.
The first chapter is dedicated to the characteristics of what the book calls a level 5 leader.
Each good to great company has a level 5 leader leading the way as it pivots from good to great.
Level 5 leaders are self-effacing. They take the blame whenever something goes wrong.
They are also encouraging and selfless. The book even goes so far as to say they are humble. Whenever something is done right, they attribute it to their colleagues, the company culture, or to luck.
They are relentless in their pursuit of results – and they are the best in what they do.
I’m learning to become a better manager simply by reading this and telling myself that I should improve to be like that.
Someone who does not look to the self when things go right but gives the praise and recognition to others.
Someone who takes the blame when things go wrong – and make sure that they don’t happen again.
Someone who is relentless in producing results and encouraging the best in others.
And these traits are on top of all a level 1-4 leader can do!
I’ve been learning a lot from this book. And right now I want to be a level 5 leader. I feel like I might be stuck somewhere between level 3 to level 4.
God help me.
