Reflection Of John Maxwell's Five Levels Of Leadership

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John Maxwell is a distinguished author, speaker and pastor who specializes on leadership and leadership development. This paper is outlines my reflections from watching his YouTube video presentation of his five levels of leadership. It was insightful that Maxwell, (2013) explained that all leaders start at level one, then continue to develop in their capabilities through level five. He outlines each of the five stages, identifying the attributes and tendencies of each of the levels. He describes that followers view leaders through different lenses, each the lenses is a reflection of one of the five stages.
Maxwell, (2013) explains how the first level of leadership is positional. Followers, who view leaders at this level are motivated by compliance measures, rather than inspiration or desire. The mindset of the follower is that, their job to do what is directed of them, so they obey. Fear and coercion are often motivators for followers at level one. Maxwell, (2013) further explains that, at this level, leaders receive the least amount of the follower’s energy, effort, and mind.
Throughout my career I have encountered employees who view our relationship at Maxwell’s first level. These individuals are usually new to our school system and we haven’t yet had the time to develop a personal relationship. Notably, many …show more content…

A leader accomplishes this level when they have performed consistently, obtaining desired results, for an extended period. People hold the leader in high regard and defer their ultimate respect for the leader. This level is difficult to accomplish and Maxwell, (2013) reminds us that most leaders rarely accomplish this level. Holst, (1999) describes this stage of leadership, saying this is a leader who has enhanced their spiritual, physical, mental and moral faculties to their highest degree possible resulting in the development of integrity (p.

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