I can't lead unless I am at the top.

Many people struggle with leadership. Some people even strive to be the leader or to obtain leadership positions. Some hold back because they do not believe they are leaders without a title. They buy into the idea that a position title automatically grants leadership or influence with those who follow. 

Yet, I can picture several people in my mind's eye who hold leadership titles or position and they have no influence. No is following them, unless a person absolutely must follow that leader. I can name people who have no titles, no positions and I would follow them in a heartbeat. 

John Maxwell calls this concept the "Position Myth," believing that someone cannot lead unless they are the top person or in the top position. This is not true. The Law of Leadership states, "The true measure of leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less."

If leadership is influence, then what is it? According to the dictionary, influence is defined as: the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others. No where in this definition does it state that to have influence a person must be caption, president, supervisor, CEO, or other such titles. Influence is the ability to sway opinion, thoughts, behaviors by simply being.

According to John Maxwell, there are Five Levels of Leadership that a person travels. Let's check out this levels:

Level One: Position
You can only start from the position you have been given.

Level Two: Relationships
At this level, those you lead choose to follow you because they want to follow.

Level Three: Production
You will move into this level due to the results you achieve on the job

Level Four: Developing Others
The foundation is value. Those you lead follow because of what you have done for them.

Level Five: Personhood
This is the only level that you cannot strive to obtain on your own skill or ability. This level you earn and are appointed by those you lead.

When you understand the dynamics of gaining influence with people using the Five Levels of Leadership, you will realize position has little to do with genuine leadership. 

Do you:
- have to be at the top to develop relationships and get people to like working with you?
- need to possess the top title to achieve results and help others become productive?

No, you do not. You can lead others from anywhere in the organization.

*materials for this blog were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader.