The Goal: Level 5

When he analyzed great companies for his book Good to Great, Collins and his team were caught off guard by the common characteristics of the companies' leaders. They weren't the stereotypical charismatic superhero types we associate with CEOs of extraordinary firms. Instead, they were characterized by a quiet humility and a "intense professional will." This is cool, but challenging.

“Level 5 leaders channel their ego needs away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company. It’s not that Level 5 leaders have no ego or self-interest. Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious–but their ambition is first and foremost for the institution, not themselves.”

I'm not sure where I am on the leadership pyramid, but this is my goal, and it resonates with my recent thinking-blogging. There more I can keep my eyes off myself--become disinterested in myself, the more successful I will be.