Fierce Humility

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

In his article, “Level Five Leadership” (Harvard Business Review, Dec 2000), Jim Collins details the kind of leadership that transforms mediocre companies into great companies.  His 5 year study of over 1,500 companies found that companies that make the jump from average to extraordinary

ALL

had leaders with

two common traits

:  A “Self-Effacing Humility” and a “Dogged Persistence.”  What Jim Collins also calls, “Humility + Will.” 

He writes Level One Leadership is being a highly capable individual, with good skills and traits.  Level Two Leadership is being able to contribute as a team member.  Level Three Leadership is being a competent manager of people, Level Four Leadership is being an effective leader (or influencer) of others, and Level Five Leadership is the executive who builds enduring greatness through a

paradoxical

combination of personal humility and professional (fierce) will.

Level 5 leadership challenges the assumption that transforming companies from “good to great” requires larger-than-life-leaders. In fact, the leaders that came out on top in Collins’ five-year study were relatively unknown outside their industries.  The findings appear to signal a shift away from the a leader who is “the hero” - to a leader who is “the anti-hero.”

“Level 5 leaders are a study in

duality

“, notes Collins, “modest and wilful, shy yet fearless.”

** Which is harder in your leadership - showing consistent humility or fierce will?