Leadership is a journey, not a position. True leadership is about influence—gaining the trust and commitment of others so you can guide them towards shared goals. John C. Maxwell’s “5 Levels of Leadership” is a powerful framework that breaks down leadership into five practical stages, each building on the previous. This guide unveils how leaders can climb these levels to increase their influence, build stronger teams, and leave a lasting legacy.

Introduction to Leadership: Influence Over Position

Leadership is not about titles or authority alone. It’s defined as influence—the ability to guide others willingly. Many associate leadership with a job title, but effective leadership extends beyond positional power. Leaders who rely solely on their position often struggle to inspire or retain strong teams.

John C. Maxwell’s leadership philosophy emphasizes learning to lead as a skill that improves over time—through relationships, results, and developing others to lead. The 5 Levels of Leadership condense decades of leadership wisdom into a clear roadmap.

Understanding the 5 Levels of Leadership

Overview of the 5 Levels

Position
Leadership begins with a position or title. People follow because they have to. This level provides a foundation for influence but is limited in impact.
Permission
At this level, people follow because they want to. Leaders build trust and genuine relationships, making work environments more enjoyable and cooperative.
Production
Leadership credibility grows through results. Productive leaders inspire their teams by example, accelerating progress and achieving organizational goals.
People Development
True growth happens when leaders invest in developing others. Multiplying leadership creates a high-performing culture with increased capacity.
Pinnacle
The highest level, the Pinnacle, is reached when leaders develop other leaders who also develop leaders. Pinnacle leaders create a legacy extending beyond their tenure and organization.

The Building Blocks: Progression Through the Levels

Level 1: Position

A position is granted, not earned. People comply out of obligation, not respect or trust. Positional leaders often face challenges such as high turnover, low morale, and limited productivity. Depending solely on authority risks losing followers and failing to motivate.

Key Insight: Position is a good starting point but must not be the endpoint of leadership development.

Level 2: Permission

This stage focuses on relationships. Leaders gain permission to lead by liking and valuing people. Trust and open communication lead to a positive culture where team members collaborate and engage voluntarily.

Benefits: Increased workplace happiness, energy, and communication flow.

Challenge: Requires intentional effort to like people and be likable; relational leadership alone is not enough—leaders must balance care with candor.

Level 3: Production

Leadership credibility is earned through results. Productivity boosts morale, creates momentum, and attracts other competent team members. Leaders model the way by setting standards and delivering outcomes.

Reality Check: Leaders who produce but do not develop others limit their long-term impact.

Level 4: People Development

Leaders invest 80% of their focus on growing others to become leaders. This multiplies organizational capacity exponentially. Developing people requires maturity, trust, and a long-term commitment.

Upside: Sustainable growth, empowered teams, and leadership legacy.

Downside: High emotional and time investment; requires overcoming insecurity and selfish tendencies.

Level 5: Pinnacle

Only a few reach this rare level. Pinnacle leaders cultivate other Level 4 leaders who reproduce leadership inside and outside the organization. They create Level 5 organizations with a culture of sustained leadership development.

Characteristics: Broad influence beyond the organization, a commitment to legacy, and an abundance mindset.

Risks: Complacency, ego inflation, loss of focus.

Core Principles and Insights from the 5 Levels of Leadership

You Build, Don’t Trade Levels

Climbing the levels adds layers of influence; leaders never discard earlier stages but build upon them for more effectiveness.

Leadership Is Dynamic and Relational

A leader may be at different levels with different people depending on the relationship, trust, and shared experience.

Higher Levels Bring Easier Leadership but Greater Responsibility

As influence grows, it becomes easier to lead, but the commitment, risk, and required personal growth also increase.

Leadership Development Is a Long, Intentional Journey

Expect slow growth when climbing levels; setbacks are possible, and falling down levels can happen quickly if trust or performance erodes.

Leadership Lids

Leadership ability places a “lid” on effectiveness. Without growth, both leaders and their organizations stagnate.

Applying the 5 Levels of Leadership

Self-Assessment for Growth

Effective leadership starts with honest self-assessment. You must identify your current level and work developing the behaviors and beliefs needed to move up.

Key Self-Questions Include:

Do people follow you because they have to or because they want to?
Are you building trust and open communication?
Do you deliver consistent results?
Are you investing in others’ growth?
Are you creating leadership legacy beyond your tenure?

Practical Steps to Move Up the Levels

From Position to Permission: Focus on valuing and liking people; build trust through consistent, caring interactions.
From Permission to Production: Balance relationships with results; model productivity and drive for success.
From Production to People Development: Shift focus to empowering and mentoring others; prioritize growing leaders.
From People Development to Pinnacle: Cultivate other Level 5 leaders through mentoring, create leadership culture, and plan for succession.

Leadership Lessons from John Wooden: A Level 5 Portrait

John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, epitomizes the 5 Levels of Leadership in practice:

Level 1 Position: Used authority wisely, but never relied solely on title.
Level 2 Permission: Built strong personal relationships with players; treated everyone with respect and care.
Level 3 Production: Delivered extraordinary results with 10 NCAA titles and a career .813 winning percentage.
Level 4 People Development: Developed players into leaders in sports and life; focused on building character and values.
Level 5 Pinnacle: Left a lasting legacy through the lives he changed and leaders he developed.

Wooden emphasized character, integrity, and humility alongside achievement. His Pyramid of Success remains a powerful model integrating personal values with leadership excellence.

The Laws of Leadership Aligning with the 5 Levels

Each level of leadership aligns with core laws that support growth and effectiveness:

Position Level: Law of the Lid (ability limits effectiveness), Law of Process (daily growth needed), Law of Navigation (charting course).
Permission Level: Law of Influence, Law of Addition (serve others), Law of Solid Ground (trust), Law of Connection.
Production Level: Law of Respect, Law of Victory (finding ways to win), Law of Priorities, Law of Sacrifice.
People Development Level: Law of the Inner Circle, Law of Empowerment, Law of Explosive Growth (lead leaders to multiply impact).
Pinnacle Level: Law of Legacy, Law of Timing, Law of Intuition, Law of Respect (earned over time).

Conclusion: Your Leadership Journey Starts Today

Leadership development is the most effective way to increase your positive impact. Whether you are a new positional leader or an experienced influencer, the 5 Levels of Leadership offers a sequential, practical guide to growing your leadership capacity.

By embracing the progression from position through permission, production, people development, and finally the pinnacle, you not only improve your leadership but also multiply the potential of everyone you lead.

Summary and Action Plan

View leadership as influence, not authority.
Build authentic relationships to gain permission to lead.
Demonstrate results consistently to earn credibility.
Invest time and energy into developing other leaders.
Aspire to the Pinnacle by creating leadership legacies and cultures.
Use the 5 Levels as a growth map and self-assessment tool.
Learn from legendary leaders like John Wooden who exemplify these principles.

Climb the leadership levels intentionally. Keep growing, keep developing others, and prepare to leave a lasting impact.

Embrace the 5 Levels of Leadership and lead with influence, impact, and integrity.

Keywords

5 Levels of Leadership, leadership development, people management, effective leadership