Leadership with a Handle: Making the 5 Levels and DISC Work in Real Life

Sometimes, leading people feels confusing.

Not because leadership is unimportant—but because it is too important.

There are countless books, models, and theories about leadership. Many are powerful. Many are insightful. Yet for many business owners, leadership still feels difficult to apply in real life.

It becomes theoretical.
It becomes overwhelming.
And when real situations happen—when decisions must be made, people must be guided, and results must be delivered—it is not always easy to execute.

I understand this deeply.

For more than 40 years as a student of leadership, I experienced the same struggle.

It felt like having powerful tools in my hands…
but without a simple handle to carry them.

Finding a Simple Handle for Leadership

Everything began to change when I discovered two powerful frameworks:

• The 5 Levels of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

• The DISC personality model

Individually, they are effective.

But when combined, they become something more powerful:

A practical system for everyday leadership

This combination gave me what I had been looking for—a simple handle.

Not just something to understand…
but something I could use.

Why Leadership Often Feels Difficult

Many leaders operate by default.

They lead the way they were led.
They copied their former boss.
They follow what they believe leadership should look like.

But here’s the reality:

What works for one person does not work for everyone.

This is why teams become disengaged.
This is why communication breaks down.
This is why growth slows—even when effort increases.

Because leadership without understanding people creates confusion.

The Two Missing Pieces: Direction and Connection

The 5 Levels of Leadership gives you direction.

It shows you how influence grows:

1. Position

2. Permission

3. Production

4. People Development

5. Pinnacle

It answers the question:

Where am I as a leader?

But knowing where you are is not enough.

DISC gives you a connection.

It helps you understand how people think, respond, and behave:

• D (Dominance) – results-driven and direct

• I (Influence) – relational and expressive

• S (Steadiness) – supportive and consistent

• C (Conscientiousness) – analytical and structured

It answers a different question:

How do I lead this person effectively?

From Theory to Practice: Leading at Every Level Using DISC

This is where leadership becomes practical.

When you combine the 5 Levels with DISC, you begin to lead with clarity rather than confusion.

Level 1: Position — Lead Without Losing People

At this level, people follow you because they have to.  They have no choice, because you have the position. This is the lowest level.

The risk is becoming too controlling or disconnected.

How to apply DISC:

• With D, be direct—but invite their input

• With I, don’t ignore connection—engage them

• With S, avoid rushing—give them time

• With C, be clear—avoid vague instructions

Practical shift:
Before giving direction, ask:
“How will this person best receive what I’m about to say?”

This small adjustment reduces resistance and builds early respect.

Level 2: Permission — Build Trust That Feels Personal

At this level, people follow you because they want to.  This is when you have already built a certain level of relationship.

Trust is not built by intention—it is built through connection.

How to apply DISC:

• D: Be efficient and respect their time

• I: Be warm, expressive, and engaging

• S: Be patient, sincere, and consistent

• C: Be logical, prepared, and credible

Practical shift:
Adjust your communication style—not your values.

Because people trust leaders who understand them.

Level 3: Production — Drive Results Through Alignment

At this level, results matter.  The level of success you have made influences people.

But results improve when people are placed in roles that match their strengths.

How to apply DISC:

• D: Give challenging goals and autonomy

• I: Assign roles that involve people and influence

• S: Place in roles needing consistency and support

• C: Assign tasks requiring analysis and precision

Practical shift:
Stop asking, “Who is available?”
Start asking, “Who is wired to succeed here?”

This is where productivity becomes sustainable.

Level 4: People Development — Coach Based on How They Grow

At this level, you multiply leaders. 

You shift from producing results to producing people.

How to apply DISC:

• D: Challenge them—stretch their capacity

• I: Encourage them—recognize progress

• S: Support them—create a safe environment

• C: Train them—provide structure and clarity

Practical shift:
Develop people based on their design, not your preference.

Because growth becomes powerful when it is personalized.

Level 5: Pinnacle — Influence Becomes Natural

At this level, leadership becomes who you are. You become the model and a brand, and very few make it to this level.

You no longer consciously adjust—you lead with awareness.

How DISC shows up here:

• You know when to be direct

• You know when to slow down

• You know when to inspire

• You know when to provide structure

Practical shift:
You read the room.
You respond with wisdom—not habit.

And because of this, your leadership becomes reproducible.

The Real Impact on Your Business

Here is the truth many business owners miss:

Leadership is not just about people—it is about performance.

When leadership is unclear:

• Teams hesitate

• Communication breaks down

• Execution slows

But when leadership is clear:

• People understand expectations

• Accountability increases

• Results become consistent

Leadership drives execution
Execution drives results
Results drive growth

A Simple Way to Start Today

You don’t need to master everything at once.

Start here:

1. Know your level
   Where are you leading from today?

2. Know your people
   Observe their DISC style

3. Adjust your leadership
   Lead them based on who they are

This is the shift from default leadership to intentional leadership.

Let Me Leave You With This

Leadership does not have to be confusing.

It becomes confusing when it stays theoretical.

But when you have a simple handle—something you can carry daily—it becomes clear.

For me, that handle is this:

The 5 Levels of Leadership
Combined with DISC

Because in the end:

Leadership is not about doing more.
It’s about leading people better.

And when you lead people better:

Your team grows
Your business scales
Your impact multiplies

Try This Today

If you are a business owner who wants clarity in leadership and growth in your business—

Start by understanding yourself- take the DISC Assessment.
Then understand your people.

Because sometimes, the breakthrough you need…

Is not more effort.

It’s a better way to lead.