Thursday Quote: The Level Five Leader

In his book “Good to Great“, Jim Collins shared 6 key principles that would lead an organization from “good” to “great”, based on extensive research. Each of the principles stand alone as powerful ideas in leadership and strategic planning applicable to ministry leadership.

One principle has to do with an understanding of what Collins calls the “Level Five Hierarchy”. I have used the graph on this one page (page 20) many times while working with leaders, volunteers and teams. If you’d like to see the graph and a discussion on some of it’s ramifications to ministry, check out this post.

Here is a summary of this principle from chapter 1:

“We were surprised, shocked really, to discover the type of leadership required for turning a good company into a great one. Compared to high-profile leaders with big personalities who make headlines and become celebrities, the good-to-great leaders seem to have come from Mars. Self-effacing, quiet, reserved, even shy – these leaders are a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. They are more like Lincoln and Socrates than Patton or Caesar.”

You’ll find that having and being this kind of leader at your church or ministry will greatly strengthen to potential for ongoing organizational growth. Really, all strategic development and planning starts with leadership. And the leadership needs at the very least two important qualities (certainly more as well).

Will – someone who demonstrates unwavering resolve to do whatever must be done to produce the best long-term results, no matter how difficult; sets the highest standard for building an enduring ministry; apportions responsibility for poor results to self rather than others. 

I hope you feel stirred and challenged. I know I do. The greatest organizations, businesses, and ministries will likely find this person(s) at or near the top. At Elim Fellowship, where I serve – I see several excellent examples of the Level Five Leader. These people are regular examples to me of the kind of leader I want to become. If you’ve ever had the chance to meet any of these amazing men, you’ll know exactly what I mean: Ron Burgio, Mike Cavanaugh, Chris Ball, Paul Johansson . . . I could go on and on. All of these men happen to serve on the eldership of Elim Fellowship as well, no wonder.