One of the big takeaways from Jim Collins book Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t is the idea of a Level 5 Leader. The biggest feature of this leader is that they strive to develop those around them, and they want nothing more than to have the company do better after they leave than when they led. This is a noble and truly desirable thing to want. It’s not always what we see though. Lee Iacocca left a vacuum of leadership behind him. Donald Trump wants to be known as the greatest, and today emphasized wishing Joe Biden ‘Luck’, because in his eyes only luck could explain any future success.

It’s sad to see leaders who care more about themselves and their image than the successful path they leave behind. These are not people you want to be led by, or even associate with. They poison the environment rather than nurture it.

Mentors that I’ve had have always looked to not just help me, but let me stand on their shoulders. They have desired to see my success. When this is authentic, it is inspiring. This is behaviour we want to see emulated in the world.

It’s interesting that when a leader’s intentions are not in servicing those they lead, it shows, even when they are doing or trying to do something good. I’m not talking about just making good versus bad decisions, every leader does that at some point… I’m talking about intentions and motives not being right. I’m talking about making selfish decisions, or choosing notoriety over shared success. These are not actions of a Level 5 Leader.

I don’t understand the draw of loud, bragging leaders, but many seem to find their way to the top. The challenge is that while they may make it to the top of a good company or organization, they are not the leaders that will make the company or organization great.