Seasons, Levels, and Stages of Leadership

Leadership is not a one-time decision—it’s a journey. Just as the world moves through seasons, leadership follows a similar pattern. Understanding where you are in your leadership journey is crucial to maximizing your growth, impact, and influence.

Too often, leaders think their calling, destiny, and legacy are waiting for them somewhere in the future. But the truth is this: you are living them right now. Your choices today shape the leader you will become and the impact you will leave behind.

So, how do we navigate leadership well? By recognizing our season, level, and stage and stewarding them with wisdom and intentionality.

The Seasons of Leadership

Just as nature moves through spring, summer, fall, and winter, leadership has its seasons. Identifying yours will help you embrace the opportunities and challenges that come with it.

1. Spring – The Season of Growth and Preparation

Spring is a time of new beginnings, learning, and planting seeds for the future. You may be stepping into a new role, developing new skills, or working behind the scenes. Growth is happening, but the results may not be visible yet.

Key mindset: Be teachable, patient, and committed to the process.

Biblical Example: David’s early years—anointed king still tending sheep and learning in obscurity.

2. Summer – The Season of Hard Work and Productivity

Summer is when leadership gets tough. The workload increases, challenges arise, and responsibilities weigh heavy. This is a season of sweat and perseverance, requiring endurance and faithfulness.

Key mindset: Stay disciplined and focused, and don’t grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9).

Biblical Example: Nehemiah rebuilding the wall—facing opposition but staying focused until the work was complete.

3. Fall – The Season of Harvest and Multiplication

Fall is when you begin to see the fruits of your labor. Your leadership is making an impact, and you’re mentoring others. This is also a time to evaluate—what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to change moving forward.

Key mindset: Be grateful, generous, and intentional in raising the next generation.

Biblical Example: Paul mentoring Timothy—pouring into the next generation to ensure the work continues.

4. Winter – The Season of Reflection and Legacy

Winter is a time of wisdom, transition, and passing the torch. You may be stepping into a new season of influence, preparing for a new calling, or investing deeply in others.

Key mindset: Steward your wisdom well, embrace God’s timing, and finish strong.

Biblical Example: Moses passed leadership to Joshua, preparing the next generation to follow their calling.

The Levels of Leadership

Leadership is not just about seasons—it’s about progression. John Maxwell’s Five Levels of Leadership help us understand how we grow in influence:

• Position – People follow because they have to.

• Permission – People follow because they want to.

• Production – People follow because of what you have accomplished.

• People Development – People follow because of what you’ve done for them.

• Pinnacle – People follow because of who you are and what you represent.

Every leader moves through these levels. The goal is to grow beyond positional leadership into transformational leadership that impacts lives.

The Stages of Leadership

Leadership also changes based on life’s stages.

• Young Leader (20s-30s): Learning, discovering, and proving yourself.

• Established Leader (30s-50s): Refining, multiplying, and leading at a higher level.

• Legacy Leader (50+): Mentoring, passing wisdom, and investing in others.

Wherever you are, be faithful. God is using you now to prepare you for what’s next.

Your Leadership Matters Today

Many people wait for the “right” time to step into leadership fully. But your leadership is not something that begins later—it is happening now.

• The way you lead your family today is shaping your children’s future.

• The way you serve your church today impacts lives for eternity.

• The way you work today is building your character for more significant opportunities ahead.

• Every choice you make shapes your destiny, legacy, and impact.

Final Challenge

Don’t waste your season. Don’t shrink back from growing into the next level. Don’t ignore the stage of life you are in. Instead, embrace it, steward it, and lead with faithfulness.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9:24:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."

Run your race, lead in your season, grow in your level, be faithful in your stage, and trust that God is working through you for His glory and kingdom.

What season, level, or stage of leadership are you in today? Please comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

P.S.

As you may know, I’m passionate about helping Christian men become stronger, more effective leaders in their faith, families, and careers. After years of coaching and leadership development, I’ve created something truly special:

The 15-Week Biblical Leadership Blueprint

This faith-based coaching program is designed to equip Christian men with the mindset, discipline, and biblical principles to lead boldly in every area of life. Whether someone is leading at home, at work, or in ministry, this program provides practical tools, accountability, and a brotherhood of like-minded men who want to honor God with their leadership.

This is the only time I’ll be offering Founding Member pricing, so if this resonates with you or someone you know, now is the time to jump in.

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