Participating in leadership coaching can play a crucial role in building trust and respect with your team members as you grow in self-awareness and influence. John Maxwell once said, “If people don’t have trust in you as a leader, they won’t respect you—or want to follow you.” And an old Afghan proverb puts it even more bluntly: “If you think you’re leading and no one is following, then you’re only taking a walk.” Indeed, leadership coaching helps prevent this scenario.
Both statements reveal a deeper truth: leadership isn’t just about position—it’s about influence. Leadership coaching provides tools for enhancing that influence; this is crucial for anyone striving to advance, especially with insights from John Maxwell.
Recently, I tuned in to a call with John Maxwell where he discussed why people truly choose to follow leaders. But before we dive in, let’s be clear: leadership doesn’t come with a title. It shows up at every level of an organization. We need to learn to lead up to our supervisors, down to our teams, and across to our peers. This kind of 360-degree leadership builds what Maxwell calls Moral Authority—the kind of influence that comes from who you are, not the position you hold. Enriching your skills through dedicated coaching in leadership can aid in this development.
The more moral authority you earn, the more people trust and follow your lead. While higher roles can increase your platform, your real power lies in your character, which leadership coaching can help refine. John Maxwell emphasizes the importance of character in leadership development.
John Maxwell’s 5 Levels of Leadership
1 – Position
They follow because they have to.
- Quality: Patience
- Skill: Teachability
2 – Permission
They follow because they want to.
- Quality: Authenticity
- Skill: People-mindedness
Serve first. It’s not about you.
3 – Production
They follow because of what you’ve done for the organization.
- Quality: Success
- Skill: Practical Application
Your actions speak louder than your words.
4 – People Development
They follow because of what you’ve done for them.
- Quality: Consistency
- Skill: Growth
If you’re not growing, they won’t keep going.
5 – Pinnacle
They follow because of who you are and what you represent.
- Quality: Humility
- Skill: Empowerment
Lift others up. Let them stand on your shoulders.
Where are you on this leadership journey?
Honestly, you may not know—but your team probably does. So ask them. You might be surprised. Maybe you’re leading one person at a higher level than another. Maybe you’re leading better than you think—or not quite as well as you hope, a paradox highlighted by insights from John Maxwell.
Either way, leadership is a journey that benefits greatly from the guidance of coaching in leadership. Increase your awareness, take what you learn, and grow from it.
Because at the end of the day, “People follow you for who you are, not your position.”
– John C. Maxwell
Until next time, lead empowered and keep fighting for the highest possible good of those you lead.
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