Reading Reflection: Good to Great by Jim Collins - Chapter Two: Level 5 Leadership

When  you think of a successful company, what assumptions do you make about their leader? Would you say that their leaders are likely to be extroverted? Listened to what needed to be done and trusted that it would work out?Ambitious and Humble? According to the research performed by Jim Collins and his team, every good to great company had a Level 5 leader during the years of important transition. 

A Level 5 leader has a mix of personal humility and professional will. They are motivated by great results, and will do whatever it takes to make the company great; regardless of how big or hard the decision will be. What most of the "celebrity leaders" of the world lack is humility and the ability to accept responsibility when things go wrong. They are often so consumed with their own personal status as the company's leader, they are not able focus on the long-term goals and results of the company; which, is why many companies with a celebrity leader tend to fall apart once that leader is gone. A Level 5 Leader is able to transform a company and make sure that the choices and staff in place will carry this success even when they are no longer working for that company.

So can anyone be a Level 5 leader? I think anyone can evolve into a Level 5 Leader, you just have to know what to look for and be dedicated to the success of the company, not themselves.