Professional Will + Personal Humility

What comes to your mind when you think of leaders? For me it used to be the CEOs, the company owners, the bosses. The people at the top. Recently my perspective has changed.

Jim Collins in his book From Good to Great discusses the idea of a level 5 leader. He describes level 5 leaders as people who “channel their ego needs away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company…they are incredibly ambitious but their ambition is first and foremost for the institution, not themselves.” He puts into perspective that level 5 leaders are not always at the top, and that when we find level 5 leader they are very valuable.

We (well at least me) constantly think about the next step up the ladder, the next leadership position we can take, the next promotion we can line up. It’s all about us and our success and status. I admit I rarely think put my ego aside especially in the work place. I am a victim of being very egotistical in the work place as I constantly think about my next move for myself- not the company. However, I think a lot of this behavior of egotistical thoughts and behavior has to do with not being happy with your job. For example, it is easy to be self-absorbed at the front desk if all you can think about is meetings and events. But if you work your way up the ladder to be placed where you want to be…it is easier and more likely for you to start thinking about the company as a whole not just yourself individually. Although I am nowhere near being a level 5 leader, maybe there is one hidden in me!