Level 5 Leadership

[Mark B]

Jim Collins, in his book "Good to Great" said that for a company to go from good to great the key ingredient is level 5 leadership, which he encapsulates as a leader with genuine personal humity blended with fierce professional will.

Lencioni seems to agree in "Five temptations of a CEO" when he says the CEO must put the company results ahead of their own status.

Who would you describe as a level 5 leader in business today?

[chris.barry]

Originally Posted by Mark B

Jim Collins, in his book "Good to Great" said that for a company to go from good to great the key ingredient is level 5 leadership, which he encapsulates as a leader with genuine personal humity blended with fierce professional will.

Lencioni seems to agree in "Five temptations of a CEO" when he says the CEO must put the company results ahead of their own status.

Who would you describe as a level 5 leader in business today?

A difficult question to answer as it's difficult to know how much the leaders are using their status to support the company results or as an end to itself. Also, recent results due to the Global Financial Crisis have put a dent in almost all company results.

The first that come to mind are:

• Oprah Winfrey - obviously a huge personality, but uses this to develop her ever expanding empire.
• Bill Gates - astute business decisions and a good product.
• Steve Jobs - developed "anti-corporate" corporate model that companies like Google and YouTube have copied - and pulled the Apple brand from the fire at the same time.
• Sir Richard Branson - like Oprah, a huge personality who uses this to grow his business.
• Dame Anita Roddick, the founder of the Body Shop, who died a few years ago also exemplified genuine strength of character and a strong professional outlook

The GFC might have made it a little easier to define who is not a true leader. The CEO's of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors turning up to ask for $34 billion dollars of taxpayers money... in their private jets.... is a great example of a leader not putting the organisation ahead of his status.

[David W]

Having been very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Richard Branson for a number of years I am of the opinion that he does display the characteristics of "Level 5" leadership. He has both the passion and the humility - this comment may seem in some conflict with his public persona - but the man behind the publicity is humble and generous.

I should also say that I am a fully paid member of the "Virgin" brand fan club - so perhaps my glasses are a little rose coloured - but you just cannot question the impact of Richard branson as a leader.

[Burgo]

Would have to say Branson is certainly up at the top of my list, but a little closer to home I put John Howard our former PM up there as well.
Jack Mundy is another person who I would put on the list as a true example of leadership.

I must admit there are not many corporate so called leaders that would even make my list but then a successful person is not one that makes heeps of money I look upon that as being just greedy, with little thought of the corporation they are employed by or the people they employ

But thats my opinion