leadership paper

Level 2—Permission

Level 2 is based entirely on relationships. On the Permission level, people follow because they want to. When you like people and treat them like individuals who have value, you begin to develop influence with them. You develop trust. The environment becomes much more positive—whether at home, on the job, at play, or while volunteering.

The agenda for leaders on Level 2 isn’t preserving their position. It’s getting to know their people and figuring out how to get along with them. Leaders find out who their people are. Followers find out who their leaders are. People build solid, lasting relationships.

You can like people

without leading

them, but you cannot

lead people well

without liking them.

Discussion

1. How can one gain influence with others?

2. How can one develop a productive team?

You have been working on the Jersey City Police Department for five years now and your peers have come to respect you because how you treat them and because of how they perceive you perform at work. How would you use your influence on the job to make your work environment a better place?