Level 5 Leadership Analysis

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A level 5 leader is able to blend personal humility (selfless and never boastful) with an intense professional will to achieve superb results by bringing people together to work towards a common goal. Level 5 leaders although may appear calm or quiet, demonstrate an unwavering attitude to do whatever must be done ethically to achieve sustainable outcomes do not matter how difficult. “Level 5 leaders channel their ego needs away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company. It’s not that level 5 leaders have no ego or self-interest. Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious-but their ambition is first and foremost for the institution, not themselves” Jim Collins (2001). Mulally never spoke about himself and his ideas …show more content…

Level 5 leaders are passionate about their company’s success in the next generation long after they have left the company. Mulally worked to establish a comprehensive and thorough succession plan at Ford. Succession planning can play a pivotal role in the future of a company because it determines whether the company can continue to achieve greater results, a fact well understood by Mulally. Mulally had worked over the years to essentially transform Ford into a company generating interests with exciting products with high profitability so it was crucial that the leadership after Mulally builds on the foundation that he had established. Mark Fields, Vice President of North and South America Operations, and a longtime mentee under Mulally was positioned and developed as one of the candidates (three total candidates) to serve potentially as CEO when Mulally eventually leaves the company. Mark was given substantial experience across the board to help the company evaluate how he would perform as CEO. Mark was promoted chief operating officer, he also took over Mulally’s signature management innovation team leading the weekly Business Plan Review meeting. In July 2014, Ford Motor Company officially announce Mark Fields as CEO of Ford Motor Company, shortly after Mulally …show more content…

The uncertainty and vulnerability in making tough decisions can lead to high levels of stress and emotions. And, like Bill Ford realized, sometimes you need to step aside for someone better suited to navigate the challenges at hand” (ReGENERATION Partners). In conclusion, Alan Mulally, and Ford Motor Company’s case study show that impact that leadership can have on an organizational performance. Mulally demonstrates level 5 leadership and applied a transformational leadership approach at Ford to help the company turn-around and come back stronger than ever. Although leadership can be hard to define, there are key concepts and principles and qualities of leadership that yield superb performance and results when applied appropriately. Leadership is never about the leader, but their ability to translate a vision (personal, cooperate etc.) into reality and developing others to believe in themselves and in the “cause” along the way. Great leaders value all the things that create sustainable growth and long-term success such as innovation, problem-solving, teamwork, passion, excellence, and more. Mulally exemplifies all those qualities and is a great example of how leaders in business and other

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