What Great Leadership Actually Looks Like
I bumped into one of my mentors on the subway last week.
His name is Claude Lamoureux. He was the CEO of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board for 17 years, and I had the privilege of working with him for five years.
It was one of those magical moments where we just happened to be on the same subway car at the same time. He lives in Montreal and was just in Toronto for a meeting.
What made it even more surreal is that I had just been thinking about him earlier that week. I was remembering how, despite being a CEO, he always chose to take the subway to work rather than being in the comfort of his own car. Then, 15 years later… there he is, on the subway again!
In classic Claude style, he jumped out of his chair and greeted me with warmth and genuine enthusiasm. Not surprising at all. When he was CEO, he walked the hallways with curiosity and care for every employee. You’d often find him in the staff lunchroom, sitting down with whoever happened to be there. He would find something in common with you and discuss that topic. For us it was books. Did we talk about books on the subway? We sure did! I always loved these leadership qualities that Claude demonstrated consistently.
Why do I deeply respect Claude? Why do I still talk about him all these years later when sharing examples of great leadership with my clients?
Let me tell you more.
What Is a Level 5 Leader?
Claude is a Level 5 leader.
Level 5 Leadership is a concept developed by Jim Collins. In his book Good to Great, Collins describes it as the highest level of leadership capability where personal humility and ambition coexist.
At its core, a Level 5 leader has an unwavering drive to deliver results that is paired with deep humility. They don’t seek the spotlight. They build lasting success. They give credit to others and take responsibility when things go wrong.
It’s a powerful combination of modesty and incredible determination.
They make tough decisions, hold high standards, think long-term and lead without ego. Their goal isn’t personal recognition, but to leave the organization stronger than when they found it.
I remember once bumping into Claude in the hallway years ago and saying, “Claude, you are the epitome of a Level 5 leader.”
He smiled and said, “Vanessa, I’m lucky. I have a great team.”
That answer made me smile then and it still does. Such a classic Level 5 leader response!
4 Things to Remember When Striving for Leadership Excellence
As I reflect on Claude and his leadership style, here are five things to remember when striving for leadership excellence:
- Give credit and take responsibility: Great leaders shine the spotlight on their team’s success and step forward themselves when things go wrong.
- Check your ego at the door. Leadership isn’t about status or perks, rather it’s about how you show up and connect with people every day.
- Stay steady under pressure. Consistency and calm confidence build trust far more than dramatic leadership behaviours.
- Develop leaders, not followers. The true measure of leadership is the strength and capability of the people you develop in your organization.
Even in our recent conversation, Claude was encouraging and shined the spotlight on me. He told me how impressed he was that I’ve been running my business for 15 years. “That takes courage,” he said. This is from a person who built and ran a fund with net assets in the BILLIONS!
Since Claude told me he reads this blog (I was so thrilled to hear this news), let me end with a personal message.
Claude, what a joy it was to bump into you.
Thank you for continuing to lead with humility, warmth, kindness and intelligence.
You’ve left a lasting mark on me and on so many others.
You will always be one of the great ones.
Thank you for sharing!
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