LEVEL 5 LEADERSHIP

LEVEL 5 LEADERSHIP

Executive summary

The level 5 leadership provides Jim Collins’s story, having spent 20o years trying to figure out how firms maintain superlative competitive performance. Collins focused on leadership despite having developed seven factors crucial for a company’s success. In 1971, Darwin Smith took over as the executive to a stodgy old paper company. Prior to the take over the company had experienced a 36% decrease in market value for about 20 years (Jim, 2001). Smith made a huge turnaround at Kimberly-Clark, which can be perceived as one of the best managers in the 20^th century. Smith undertook a series of activities that changed the firm from a mere company to a great business hence forming an extemporal example of a level 5 leader. The book exemplifies that Smith blended great humility with a great deal of professionalism while carrying out his designated duties. As such, Collins outline that we should expect level 5 leadership to be counterintuitive and countercultural. The author states that people expect company changers to be big personalities such as Dunlap and Welch, unlike Smith (Jim, 2001). During Smith’s helm at Kimberly-Clark, he ferociously resolved some issues needed to rebuild the firm in order to achieve greatness. Moreover, Collins outlines that people did not expect Kimberly-Clark to change to a level 5 within such a short period. Finally, the author shows that humility and willingness are the key factors in achieving level 5 leadership.

Part II

The reading on level 5 leadership provides the best example of a management expert who transformed Kimberly-Clark from being good to great. Hence, Collins illustrated how Smith developed a stunning transformation to develop the firm as the leading company for paper consumer products. I think that reading provides an excellent example to help managers adopt mechanisms needed to transform their organizations. I liked the fact that Smith was humble and willing to transform Kimberly-Clark to being the world’s leading firm in paper products. Also, it was interesting to learn that within 25 years, Kimberly-Clark was in a position to buy Scott’s paper hence outlining Smith’s exceptional performance (Jim, 2001). Smith stated that he had never stopped being qualified for the job at Kimberly-Clark. The reading prompted the thoughts of bringing change in the field of expertise in order to achieve continued growth and development.

Part III

• What are the key factors which compelled Smith’s desire for change?
• How should a company develop into a great firm?
• What should a prospective manager learn to achieve a level 5 leadership?

Part IV

I will try my level best to improve my leadership skills to enhance my prospects in my future career. As such, I will embark on taking more projects having greater responsibilities but within my capabilities. Thus, I will step out of my comfort zone to articulate key such as organizing to bolster my leadership skills. I believe that my willingness will not go unnoticed by the executive to help achieve collective organizational goals. Besides, I will develop situational awareness to help tackle and anticipate problems in the future. Therefore, I will be able to develop valuable skills needed to handle complex ideals with stipulated timelines. Consequently, I will develop my leadership skills to help govern different groups and portfolios. As a result, the acquired leadership skills would help recognize opportunities often overlooked by other individuals.

Reference

Jim, C. (2001). Level 5 Leadership: The triumph of humility and fierce resolve. Harvard Business Review, 1.