In Jim Collins’s book “Good to Great”, he presents the concept of Level 5 Leadership. In order to fully understand Level 5 Leadership, one must become familiar with the four lower levels of leadership…
Level 1: Highly Capable Individual
Level 2: Contributing Team Member
Level 3: Competent Manager
Level 4: Effective Leader
And finally, Level 5: Executive
A Level 5 Leader embodies the skills and behaviors of Levels 1-4, and beyond. According to Collins, a Level 5 Leader is, “an individual who blends extreme personal humility with intense professional will” (21) in order to create enduring success for their team/company.
Thinking back on my personal encounters with leaders and my personal experience with leadership, I can relate Collins’s Level 5 Leadership theory to my own life. I am currently working as a Sales Intern at the San Diego Convention Center. In this position, I have been given the opportunity to meet with various department heads and discuss the role that they (and they’re department) play in the company. I have also had the opportunity to work/network with multiple employees from other departments during my time as a Sales Intern, and seen their specific leadership styles and work ethics.
Through the time I have spent with various leaders and employees at the San Diego Convention Center, I feel that I have seen each level of Collins’s Level 5 Leadership Theory firsthand. Applying this theory to my experience, a Level 1 leader is someone who does their job well and understands the work that they are doing, but does not push the limits of their role for the greater good of their department/company. I have seen this level of leadership take place amidst the employees in the various “Grounds” departments, such as custodial. Based on my experience, a Level 2 leader is someone who uses their skills and abilities to contribute to the success of the department/company. I have seen Level 2 Leadership embodied by the National Sales Managers who I work closely with.
I have seen Level 3 Leadership personified by the Director of Sales at the San Diego Convention Center, who manages all of the company’s National Sales Managers. She is able to organize various projects and people in order to fulfil predetermined goals and objectives. Her leadership level benefits herself, her employees, her department, and her company. Connecting my experience to Collins’s theory, a Level 4 Leader is someone who embodies Level 3 Leadership, but with more determination, stability, and hands-on supervision. A Level 4 Leader provides more specific goals and milestones for his/her team, and requires a higher level or performance than a Level 3 Leader. A Level 4 Leader I have encountered at the San Diego Convention Center is the Director of Event Services.
Finally, based on the leadership styles I have seen during my time as a Sales Intern at the San Diego Convention Center, a Level 5 Leader is someone who personifies all of the qualifications stated previously for Levels 1-4. However, a Level 5 Leader takes it a step further by focusing on the company’s long-term success. He/she is able to lead multiple large groups of people to current and future greatness for themselves, their departments, and their company. Beyond this, a Level 5 Leader is humble and professional through all tasks, forming a personal connection with his/her followers and being involved in every aspect of their team’s success. I have seen Level 5 Leadership embodied by the Chief Operating Officer at the San Diego Convention Center.
Jamie's Leadership Journey 