It is impossible to consider the organization in the Age of Urgency without discussing leadership. In his book Good to Great, Jim Collins outlines the concept of Level 5 leadership. He describes the characteristics of leaders who took their companies to the heights of success. “Regardless of the company’s circumstances,” he writes, “its industry or size, level 5 leaders exhibited common personality traits.”
They were devoid of ego, with great humility and absolute willingness to do whatever it took to make their organization thrive. They had a resolute devotion to their mission (always organizational, not personal) while sharing the credit for success and accepting responsibility for mistakes.
Another interesting feature is the inspiration created by a level 5 leader. This inspiration is carried out not through the personality they radiate, but through the standards they instill. These leaders are occupied with selecting the right team, not with themselves or their actions.