Today’s focus is on Level 5 Leadership, a powerful, often misunderstood concept made famous by Jim Collins in his book Good to Great. Level 5 leaders don’t chase the spotlight. They don’t dominate with charisma. They don’t make success all about them. Instead, they blend personal humility with intense professional will. And in doing so, they quietly build companies that outperform the market and stand the test of time.
Let’s break down what Level 5 Leadership really means, how it works, and how you can develop it in yourself and your business.
What Is Level 5 Leadership
In Good to Great, Jim Collins introduces Level 5 Leadership as the highest level in a five-tier hierarchy of leadership capabilities.
Level 1 – Highly capable individual – contributes through talent, knowledge, and skills.
Level 2 – Contributing team members – work well with others.
Level 3 – Competent manager – organises people and resources effectively.
Level 4 – Effective leader – inspires higher performance and pursues clear goals.
Level 5 – Executive – builds greatness through a rare blend of personal humility and strong professional will.
What makes Level 5 leaders different is not their ability to drive performance, but how they do it. They are ambitious, yes, but their ambition is directed at the organisation and its mission, not their personal recognition.
They credit others when things go well and take responsibility when things go wrong. This style of leadership is rare. It’s also quietly powerful.
The Core Traits – Humility And Professional Will
Humility
These leaders aren’t trying to be the hero. They don’t need to be the smartest person in the room. Instead, they listen more than they speak, ask questions instead of giving answers, and lift others rather than seeking praise. They’re not interested in building a personal brand, they’re building a business that lasts. That humility creates space for others to lead, grow, and take ownership.
Professional Will
Don’t mistake humility for weakness. Level 5 leaders are incredibly determined. They set high standards and won’t compromise on what matters. They’re driven by purpose, not ego and that drive helps them push through setbacks, make hard decisions, and stay focused on the long game. The combination of these two traits is rare. Most leaders have one or the other. Very few have both. But when they do that’s when transformation happens.
Why This Leadership Style Works
You don’t have to scroll far on social media to see what modern leadership often looks like – high-profile launches, bold statements, curated vulnerability, and a heavy dose of self-promotion. But here’s the reality businesses aren’t built on bravado. They’re built on consistency, clarity, and trust. Level 5 leaders deliver all three not by force, but by example and here’s why it works.
People trust what’s real. Humility creates psychological safety. When leaders aren’t constantly managing their image, teams feel safe to speak up, take risks, and admit mistakes, which drives real progress.
Ego-free environments scale. When a company isn’t built around one individual’s persona, it becomes more resilient and more scalable.
Vision stays intact. Because Level 5 leaders aren’t chasing quarterly wins for personal praise, they can focus on the long-term health of the business.
Cultures thrive. These leaders don’t just set a direction, they shape a culture. One that attracts the right people and keeps them growing. It’s not glamorous. It’s not always fast. But it’s unbelievably effective.
How To Develop Level 5 Leadership
This isn’t about waiting to be “born that way.” It’s about cultivating the mindset and behaviours that support sustainable success. Here’s where to start.
- Get clear on your ‘why’
What’s driving you honestly? If it’s recognition, validation, or competition, you’ll keep bumping up against the same leadership ceiling. Shift focus to the impact you want to make and the business you want to leave behind.
- Build ego discipline
Catch yourself in the act of seeking credit. Ask more questions than you answer. Let others take the spotlight and watch what happens to morale.
- Make decisions for the long term
Resist the pressure to optimise for this quarter’s metrics or next month’s board meeting. Make decisions that your future self and your future team will thank you for.
- Practice radical accountability
Own the hard stuff. Publicly. Let your team see that mistakes are learning moments, not political landmines. That one shift will transform your company culture.
- Mentor quietly
You don’t need to brand yourself as a “thought leader” to shape the next generation of leadership. Just show up. Invest in others’ growth without needing it to reflect on you.
- Leave systems, not chaos
Your real leadership legacy isn’t in what you build when you’re in the chair, it’s in what still works when you’re not. Think, succession, systems, sustainability.
What Happens When You Get This Right
You build a business that’s calm at the centre. One that doesn’t depend on one person to function. One that doesn’t panic when times get tough. You build teams that are loyal not because they have to be, but because they believe in the mission. And you build results that last.
Leadership isn’t just about scale, revenue, or reputation. It’s about stewardship. Level 5 leaders understand that and act like it.
This isn’t an easy model to adopt. It takes intention, reflection, and a willingness to do the unglamorous work. But the results? They speak volumes even when you don’t.
Thank you for being part of our Business Life community. If this edition resonated with you, share it with a fellow business owner or team leader. And if there’s a topic you’d like us to explore in future editions, let us know. We’re here to help you lead with clarity, courage, and confidence.
Live with purpose,
Kristian Livolsi and the Business Growth Mindset Team
