There are not many Level 5 Business Leaders around. What makes them so special is that they are well-grounded individuals; they know themselves. Their strength comes from having and holding onto a clear set of old fashioned values; they ignore the latest management fads. Through good times and bad, they share the glory and take responsibility for shortfalls.
Unfortunately, far too many organizations allow individuals to board and stay on the buses that are not ranked according to Collins scale. At Level Minus One, the individual is seen as an internal terrorist, undermining authority, creating havoc and working actively to destroy the very organization that provides them with a living. At Level Zero, disengaged, employees are drones, contributing as little as possible to avoid being terminated. Little can be done to motivate such individuals, because the source for inspiration was either never provided or was somehow lost along the journey of life.
To understand where people are on the scale, it starts with evaluating current employees fairly and honestly, setting aside tenure and relationships, looking at the ability to contribute to the organization going forward. Are they an asset or a liability? Do they make a positive contribution, not just in the past or the short term, but in the long term? Do they want more than a paycheck? Do they demonstrate initiative? Do they provide energy to the organization or do they drain it? Do they provide critical thinking skills? Do they have the ability to see around corners? Can they execute a project or assignment successfully without waiting to be told what to do and how to do it? If they were to leave the organization tomorrow, would they be missed? kineticdiecasting
What every great business organization wants are great people. Who are these individuals? They are advocates for the organization. These people push for decisions and action. They believe in the habit of ‘growing yourself’ and as a result, seek to learn at every opportunity. They want to be managed by strong leaders who have a clear vision. They want to be part of an organization that is focused on results and seek accountability. Should conflict surface, these individuals want to deal with it at the source and move on. Great people want to contribute and they want to surround themselves with winners, not whiners.
Collins sums up part of his book by stating that without strong people on the bus, a great organization will only be a dream. Who needs to be asked to exit your bus?
