Developing into a Level 5 Leader

If you read my article last week, it was about my Advanced Biker Test and how I passed the test but almost failed at receiving and learning from expert feedback.

Last week, I was asked to give a talk to a large group of people, sharing progress on some new work I am doing in the the development of professional practice and my latest research in the growing area of strengths based thinking, started by the US psychologist Don Clifton. 

I really enjoyed the discussion and as always there are lessons to be learned, especially when talking to ninety people who are all experts in their chosen technical field on the topic of professional development. 

As a former colleague of mine, Jeff, with a twinkle in his eye, used to say “this stuff is all pink fluffy stuff to me Gareth, but I know that while great leadership counts, we can’t do anything without great people doing great things and so I’m always open to learning new things ”. 

Jeff, had a great approach and I loved working with him prior to his successful retirement from a brilliant career in Civil Engineering.

Back to this week. And the talk to the group. This blog isn’t about the talk I gave.

It’s about a leader who I had heard speaking to the audience just before me.

As luck would have it, earlier in my career, nearly twenty years ago to get accurate about it. I had actually worked with the immaculately dressed presenter now stood in front of me. Hardly recognisable. Their trademark Rigger Boots had turned into Military Grade Shining Shoes in the intervening two decades.

Here’s the back story. 

Back in the early 2000’s, we had a ‘contractual relationship’. Him being Client and me being the Project Manager on a big, construction project. He was known and famous for being the ‘rigger boots always on’ client though, and his trademark hi vis jacket never left him, 0730 to 1730. He was good at his job back in those days and had a seemingly effortless and natural way at making people feel at ease. Of all levels. Operational staff and the youngest lad or girl in the office. He knew every name and every persons life story behind them. He made it his business to find out. You see he cared. He was learning the pathway.

Together we made a great team. Even if we weren’t quite meant to be - contractually that is - he made it that way. Because this leader knew back then, that the way to do things is together and not apart.

Now don’t get me wrong. When it came to tough conversations, boy, could he have them. Fortunately we didn’t ever need to do that, but yes, when he needed to be, he was a force to behold and for that, he was respected. Especially, I noticed, by other tough talkers.

In the intervening ‘middle years’ we have both gone separate ways, me working in the world, to quote Jeff again of Pink and Fluffy Stuff. And him on his pathway to Level 5 Leadership.

Fast forward to this morning and I’m up early. Reading. As I like to to when all the world is quiet and dark. Casting my eyes over a Framework on page 20. A page that I had read for the first time, 12 years ago..

What is Page 20, you ask.

Page 20. Good To Great. Jim Collins. 

The Framework ? The best I have found on Leadership. Here it is.

This morning, at 0730 I received the email that inspired me to write this blog...

“Hi Gareth

It was good to see you in the audience, yesterday. I’m looking to make sure that everyone got what they needed from me and I’m keen to listen to you to find out what you thought of my talk yesterday. If you have a spare few minutes, I’d really value your feedback.” 

The Feedback I gave him was of course Balanced and Supportive. With some minor improvement ideas.

But could I do his job ? Not a chance.

I’m on the thought leader journey. 

He’s reaching Level 5.

I had been reading about him on Page 20 this morning.

During my years of study. He had been learning his pathway, changing his rigger boots to military grade shiny shoes.

In summary

Level 5 Leadership is rare. Some of us study it. And you can Amazon to buy the book of course. But really Level 5 is all about Values. Wilfulness and humility.

The sort of Values that make a Great Leader take a humble approach and be brave enough to ask me for that feedback. 

Can it be learned ? Yes, but over many, many years. and on the job.

And Jeff was absolutely right. We need a balance of Level 5 Leadership and someone in the background working on the Pink and Fluffy Stuff too.