While the research it’s based on is a bit dated at this point, the book Good to Great puts forward some concepts and principles that I think are work examining. One addressed early in the book is the idea of the Level 5 leader.
Before we get to Level 5, though, let’s first address Levels 1 to 4 (source).
Level 1: Highly Capable Individual: Possesses the knowledge, skill, and work ethic required to contribute productively to the organization.
Level 2: Contributing Team Member: Beyond their capabilities, work effectively and harmoniously as part of a team.
Level 3: Competent Manager: Efficiently organizes people and resources toward completing specific organizational goals.
Level 4: Effective Leader: Can stimulate high standards and galvanize their departments or the organization to achieve a compelling vision or higher performance standards.
In a sporting context, Levels 1 and 2 strike me as being team members. You can probably toss the likes of team managers and other support personnel in there too. Those are folks without defined leadership positions in the team. Captains and coaches start coming in at Level 3.
Level 5 leaders
Now let me share author Jim Collins’ description of a Level 5 leader:
Level 5 leaders display a powerful mixture of personal humility and indomitable will. They’re incredibly ambitious, but their ambition is first and foremost for the cause, for the organization and its purpose, not themselves. While Level 5 leaders can come in many personality packages, they are often self-effacing, quiet, reserved, and even shy. Every good-to-great transition in our research began with a Level 5 leader who motivated the enterprise more with inspired standards than inspiring personality.
The notable difference between Level 5 and Level 4 leaders, as I understand it from the book, is ego. Level 5 leaders put the organization (team/program) ahead of themselves. This isn’t to say Level leaders can’t do great things. They absolutely can. The problem is that the organization led by an ego-driven leader tends not to be able to sustain greatness.
I feel like if we did an analysis that most of the interviewees for Volleyball Coaching Wizards would come up at Level 5 leaders. They didn’t start that way, of course. They ultimately got there, though.
So what level of leadership do you have in your team or program?
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