Level 3 – Production: Making Things Happen Separates Real Leaders from Wannabes
ByThe 5 Levels of Leadership is almost here, and I’m excited. This is my best material, and it’s been tested and proven for over 30 years. I know the 5 Levels work.
Here on the blog, I’ve been going over the levels, and this week it’s time for Level 3: Production.
But before I get into the definition and value of production in a leader’s life, I want to clarify how the levels work. Remember the graphic? The 5 Levels are like a building – all the higher levels rest on the lower ones. Every leader must pass through every level to get to the next one. Level 2 builds on Level 1. You can’t be a Level 3 leader until you’ve mastered Level 2: Permission. But once you’ve built a relationship with your people, you’re ready to focus on producing results.
The Production level is where leadership really takes off and goes to another level. Production qualifies and separates true leaders from people who merely occupy leadership positions. Good leaders always make things happen. They get results. They can make a significant impact on an organization. Not only are they productive individually, but they also are able to help the team produce. This ability gives Level 3 leaders confidence, credibility, and increased influence.
No one can fake Level 3. Either you’re producing for the organization and adding to its bottom line (whatever that may be), or you’re not. Thomas Watson, the founder of IBM, noted, “The outstanding leaders of every age are those who set up their own quotas and constantly exceed them.” That is a good description of Level 3 leaders. They are self-motivated and productive. As a result, they create momentum and develop an environment of success, which makes the team better and stronger.
Another benefit of leadership on Level 3 is that it attracts other highly productive people. Producers are attractive to other producers. They respect one another. They enjoy collaborating. They get things done together. That ultimately creates growth for the organization.
Leaders can get to Level 1 for an almost endless number of reasons: They show promise. They have connections. They play politics. They have seniority. The organization is desperate. You name it, and someone has probably become a leader because of it. Leaders who are naturally good with people or who take pains to learn people skills can move up to Level 2. But some people never move up from Level 2 Permission to Level 3 Production. Why? They can’t seem to produce results. When that is the case, it’s usually because they lack the self-discipline, work ethic, organization, or skills to be productive. However, if you desire to go to higher levels of leadership, you simply have to produce. There is no other way around it.
I cannot wait to get the new book on kindle!
This is the place for “middle management”, the practical “doers”, that must build the team and produce as “worker bees”, where the visionaries have determined what it is that is to be “carried out” by those given a “position”.
The problem is that it is highly likely that someone might not choose to carry out a particular plan or vision of the hierarchy…..it is a little short of slavery, if such an enterprise is sought without the strategy or vision imparted, though I am not for labor unions, I AM for transparency in government or those “at the top”!!!
Transparency means that those at the top must ask permission or reveal the intentions of the organization in the particularities, BEFORE a position can be given/taken. Otherwise, the positional leader hasn’t considered his own priorities, values and counted the costs of whether this is what he desires to do! Such presumption is not considerate of individuals and their right to pursue their own ends!
This comment is for Angie:
I respect the fact that you have something to share that YOU deem insightful, but do you feel that it is your position to give us your version of a particular level of leadership? It sounds as though you’re using this forum to voice your frustrations with the way YOU lead. If you feel that you don’t agree with what Mr. Maxwell has to say, then why associate yourself with something you don’t believe in, why don’t you write your own book(s)?
Mr. Maxwell has over 40 years of experience in the field of leadership and the point of his work is to provide you with tools to do your job more effectively. He says nothing about subtracting value from people, if anything, Mr. Maxwell has exposed many issues that “leaders” otherwise wouldn’t address. Angie, something tells me that you’re NOT ready to take the next step in your career and you should use John’s books and this website to ask meaningful questions make sure that what you have to impart remains in line with the information that has been presented.
I have been inspired by Mr. Maxwell’s work to go further not only in my professional life, but also in my personal and spiritual life as well. Self-examination is tough but if you are willing to make many of the leadership concepts a part of your daily life, you WILL become better. What better time than the present to raise up a new corps of leaders; thank you Mr. Maxwell!
Martin,
Thank you for being direct in you assessment of my comment. May I explain?
Yes, there is frustration with our government. Did we want healthcare, though the President thought it “best for us”? Should we be given the positon of promoting something that we do not value, simply because he is the President? NO. Should we be required to “learn from him” because he has appointed us, so we must work to build his vision for America? NO.
Therefore, positions have to be taken with the full knowledge of those taking them, what is required, and with a full agreement as to the value of the vision. Otherwise, John’s model here, has acted just as our President in disregardng the “people’s wish and will”! I think this is arrogant.
And yes, this frustrates me!
I have to the agree with words written. As it is the same with what the bible clearly tells us that we are known by the fruit that we produce. Just like in leadership, true leaders are identified not because they occupy a leadership position but because their qualities are being equated by their ability to make things happen.
on purpose leadership
Martin,
My apologies if there was any offense taken on your part.
On Purpose Leadership,
I believe that individuals in our society are allowed to choose what their purpose will be and where that will be lived out.
@Angie: Understood, thank you for clarifying where you stand!
Hi
That shows leadership means responsibility not just position. I like it John!
Thank you John.
This is an awesome post, John….got extreme value out of it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Etieno
Awesome post, Dr. Maxwell. I definitely agree with you that leadership attracts other highly productive people to you. Integrity is also one of the most important qualities of a leader. When a leader has integrity, his words and actions match up and that’s why people become attracted to him or her.
Thanks for sharing this.
-Etieno