Title: The Five Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential
Author: John C. Maxwell
If you want to elevate your leadership in the promotional products industry, The 5 Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell is a great guide. The book breaks down leadership in a way that’s easy to understand and offers practical steps to grow your influence and impact.
Whether you’re just stepping into a leadership role or you’re an experienced business owner, Maxwell’s insights can help you become a more effective leader and create long-term success for your team and business.
Why I chose this book:
This book came up in one of our recent keynotes given by Mila Grigg at the Leadership Development Conference, and it wasn’t one that I’ve read before. I love getting new recommendations from our speakers and our community, so I gave it a shot. What I loved about the approach is that it’s applicable to those who own their business, manage a team and who have leadership potential, just like our emerging leaders. I also love a good framework.
I recommend it for:
This book is for anyone in a leadership role or who is looking to advance into a leadership role. These basic foundational steps will help you scale and become great in no time.
Key points:
Maxwell’s model takes leadership to five different levels, each representing a new standard of influence and impact. These are my interpretations of each step.
Position (Level 1) – Leadership starts with your title or role. In the promotional products industry, having a management title is just the beginning. But Maxwell is clear – just being the “boss” won’t take you far if you don’t move beyond this level. At this stage, people follow you because they have to, not necessarily because they want to.
Permission (Level 2) – Leadership grows through relationships. This is where it gets interesting for those of us in promotional products, where strong relationships with clients, suppliers and team members are essential. Maxwell emphasizes that at Level 2, people follow you because they trust you and respect you – this is where real leadership starts.
Production (Level 3) – People follow you because you deliver results. In our industry, where deadlines and creativity drive business, this is huge. Leaders at this level inspire their teams by showing that they can achieve goals, hit targets and get the job done. Maxwell explains that the best way to motivate people is by setting the example – something that every promotional products leader can relate to.
People Development (Level 4) – Great leaders help others become leaders. This level is critical in an industry where things change fast, and team development is key to staying competitive. Maxwell explains how investing in your team not only boosts their growth but also strengthens your entire organization.
Pinnacle (Level 5) – The highest level is about creating a legacy. This is where leaders become truly transformational. In the promotional products industry, this might mean building a business culture that thrives even after you step back. Maxwell’s insights here are about leaving a lasting impact that continues to shape the business and industry for years to come.
My takeaway:
Promotional products is a fast-paced and competitive space. As a leader, you’re managing not only your team, but also client relationships, production timelines and creative strategies. Maxwell’s framework offers a clear path to becoming a more effective leader, no matter where you are in your career. Building relationships and developing your team are just as important as delivering results.
Combining this framework will really help you level up!
What should I read next?
My library of business books is large, but I’m always looking to build it out. If you have any suggestions for business books that are meaningful to you, please let me know at JGR@ppai.org, and after I give it a read, I’ll share my impressions in PPAI Magazine.
Gibbons-Rauch is PPAI’s manager of professional development, learning programs.
