LEVEL 5 + SITUATIONAL THEORY

We always associate leadership with a very visible and dominant role that gives you recognition and a larger than life status as the leader. However, in the book Good to Great, the level 5 leadership introduces quite a different set of characteristics of what we have envisioned as a successful leader. Jim Collins and his research team stumbled upon leaders who were described as humble and willing. They are the nurturing leaders who do not want credit, but want success to sustain over a longer period of time, long after they are gone. Level 5 leaders are modest, shy and fearless and possess the capability to transform an organization from good to great without portraying themselves as all knowing or above others. They prefer talking about the company and the contribution of other people but rarely about their role or achievements.

These leaders would not be as good of leaders if they didn't employ the situational leadership theory. A situational leader would try to accommodate his leadership style as per the situation and the level of competence and commitment of his followers. In the case of Level 5 leaders, they are able to see each situation and the level of maturity needed to handle these situations, and adapt their leadership style while still staying in the background. Even though the situations might change, their style of execution as a leader remains constant in that they still want the employee to gain the recognition. So the Level 5 leader does adapt to different situations using the situational theory, but they stay true to their motto of humility.