The 5 Levels of Leadership

Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential

Center Street

Leadership Level Characteristics

This first section applies to your leadership in general. Please read thefollowing ten statements. Place a check mark next to each one that you agree istrue for you. Answer using your first instinct. Please do not skip anyquestions, and do not go back and change any of your responses.

Level 1

• I don't have to remind the people who work for me that I am the leader.

• I think of each person who works for me as an individual person, not just interms of his or her function or role.

• Most days I look forward to going to work.

• I recognize that the position I've been given is an opportunity to learn, notturf to be guarded.

• The people who work for me are willing to do work above and beyond their jobdescriptions.

• I know that dealing with people problems is a part of leading and haveaccepted that as part of the job.

• I possess the desire to learn more about leadership and become a betterleader.

• I think of my job in terms of work to be accomplished and give very littlefocus to career path and the positions I desire to achieve along the way.

• One of my primary objectives is to assist the people who work for me.

• Most people find it easy to work with me.

If you marked eight or more of the previous statements as true for you, then youhave probably already established yourself as a leader on Level 1 and have begunto move to the higher levels. Move on to the next section of the test. However,if you checked fewer than eight, then you have probably not yet mastered Level1, and this is where you will probably begin your work in personal leadershipdevelopment. Why? Because you are only as good as the lowest level you'vemastered.

Level 2

• People outside of my department or area of responsibility respect my opinionsand frequently seek me out for advice.

• I know my strengths and weaknesses and rarely get blindsided in my work.

• I genuinely like most people and want to help them.

• I am very consistent and even-tempered in my interaction with the people whowork for me.

• When I say something to the people on my team, they always know they can counton it because I am trustworthy.

• I have developed solid relationships with all of the people who work for me.

• The people who work with me find me likable and pleasant nearly 100 percent ofthe time.

• When I need to have a candid conversation with team members to correct errorsor take care of problems, I follow through and don't allow too much time to goby.

• I believe that employees desire more than just a fair day's pay for a fairday's work; most desire encouragement and I give it to them.

• I have developed relationships with everyone who works for me.

If you marked eight or more of the above statements as true for you, then moveon to the next section. If not, you may want to save the rest of Part 1 of thetest for later because your answers indicate that you've not yet mastered Level2 and you don't yet think like a Level 2 leader. If you do decide to completePart 1 at this time, please be aware that even if you mark eight or morestatements true in subsequent sections, you cannot be on the higher levels ofleadership because you have not yet won Level 2. This also applies as you answerthe questions in subsequent levels.

Level 3

• I consistently hit targets and goals in my work.

• Good people always want to work with me and my team.

• People see me as an expert in my field and seek me out to learn from me.

• I am constantly setting and achieving higher goals for myself, even when mysuperiors don't set them for me.

• My performance in my work often carries the team to a higher level.

• I give my best to whatever I do.

• I am comfortable with the idea that others are watching how I perform andfollow my example.

• I am known as a problem solver, and I often get difficult tasks done.

• My work is very consistent on a daily basis.

• I have systems and routines that help me perform at a very high level.

If you marked eight or more of the above statements as true for you, then moveon to the next section. If not, your answers indicate that you've not yetmastered Level 3 and you don't yet think like a Level 3 leader.

Level 4

• I schedule and follow through with training and development for all themembers of my team on a regular, consistent basis.

• When deadlines loom or work becomes urgent, we never cancel our training anddevelopment sessions.

• I consistently take risks by giving people responsibilities and authority thatwill stretch them.

• I spend a significant amount of time every month mentoring up-and-comingleaders.

• I know very thoroughly the strengths and weaknesses of all the people I lead.

• I individualize the way I train, develop, and mentor my people.

• I spend the most strategic and significant mentoring time with the people whohave the highest capacity, talent, and potential.

• I have a history of moving people from position to position to help find theirfit.

• I am continually giving people feedback, not just during formal reviews.

• My team or department is considered by others to be the best trained (or oneof the best) in the organization.

If you marked eight or more of the above statements as true for you, then moveon to the next section. If not, your answers indicate that you've not yetmastered Level 4 and you don't yet think like a Level 4 leader.

Level 5

• I can name several specific people whom I have encouraged to speak hard truthsto me, and they do so regularly.

• I am using my influence to instill values in my organization.

• The course of my organization is set by me or by a team of which I am a part.

• I have developed many leaders who are developers of leaders.

• I enjoy the interaction and friendship of a small circle of leaders with whomI am taking the leadership journey.

• I am still at the top of my game, and the positive impact I am making isstrong.

• I can name at least one person who would be ready to step in and take my placeshould I decide to leave my current position.

• I have influence outside of my organization.

• People from outside of my specific industry seek me out for leadership advice.

• I am using my influence and resources for causes greater than myself or myorganization.

In leadership, you are only as good as the lowest level you've mastered. So Ijust want to remind you that even if you scored highly in one of the higherlevels, if you scored poorly on a lower level, your leadership is actually onthat lower level. That is where you will need to give your attention whenworking with people to improve your leadership ability.

Individual Team Member Assessment—Leader's Point of View

For each person you oversee directly (direct reports), please answer yes or noto the questions on the following worksheet. (Be sure to complete Part 2 beforemoving on to Part 3.)

INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBER ASSESSMENT

Name of Team Member: Date:

Level 1

Yes No This person acknowledges you as his or her leader.
Yes No This person would agree that you are suited for the leadership position you hold.
Yes No This person would acknowledge that you see your position as an opportunity to earn
your place at the leadership table, not as a privilege to be used for personal
advancement.

Level 2

Yes No You know things about this person's family and personal life outside of his or her work.
Yes No You know this person's strengths and weaknesses.
Yes No You know this person's hopes and dreams.
Yes No You are committed to helping this person succeed in his or her work.
Yes No This person trusts you and you trust him or her.

Level 3

Yes No This person respects your professional ability and qualities.
Yes No This person asks for your advice and expertise.
Yes No This person has become more productive because of your influence.
Yes No This person would acknowledge that the team is more productive because of your leadership.
Yes No This person would agree that your team contributes to the vision and purpose of the organization.

Level 4

Yes No You have given this person specific training that has helped him or her to perform better.
Yes No You have mentored this person or put him or her in a development process that has helped
him or her to become a better leader.
Yes No This person is now leading others because you have given opportunities and training for him or her to lead.
Yes No This person is consistently loyal and supportive, and always gives you the benefit of the doubt.
Yes No This person is not only leading others but has trained those he or she leads to develop leaders thanks to your input.

Level 5

Yes No This person could step into your role with a very high probability of success if you were to step down.
Yes No This person is your advocate and champions you with other leaders so that you gain others' respect even before you meet them.

EVALUATION

You can learn two things from this assessment: First, you can understand whereyou are with each person on the 5 Levels of Leadership based on your answers. Ifyou answered no more times than yes in a section, then you havenot gotten to that level with that person. (Instead, you would be on the levelbelow that one.)

The second thing you can learn is where you need to work to improve. Ano answer to any statement indicates where you need to do some work.

Leadership Assessment—Team Member's Point of View

Ask each of the people who report directly to you to fill out the followingworksheet for you. They may do so anonymously if they wish. Use the samecriteria for evaluating this assessment as you used to evaluate the Part 2assessment you completed.

Note that even if you are a very good leader, you may have an employee orvolunteer who refuses to put you anywhere but Level 1. You can try to win overthat person on Level 2 and then progress, but there are no guarantees that theperson will allow him-or herself to be won over.

LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENT

Name of Leader: Date:

Please read each statement and respond with yes or no inreference to the leader whose name is listed above. There are no right or wronganswers. This assessment is designed only to describe your interaction with theperson. (If you wish, you may answer this assessment anonymously.)

Level 1

Yes No You acknowledge this person as your leader.
Yes No This person is well-suited for the leadership position he or she holds.
Yes No This person treats the leadership position as an opportunity to earn a place at the leadership table,
not as a privilege to be used for personal advancement.

Level 2

Yes No This leader cares about your family and personal life outside of work and regularly
asks you questions about them.