The Five Cs of Leadership
by John Lesko
The Five Cs of Leadership—Character, Courage, Commitment, Competence, and Compassion—have been presented not as slogans, but as disciplines to be practiced deliberately and revisited often … Leadership is rarely learned through definition alone. We may understand character and still falter under scrutiny. We may admire courage and hesitate when fear rises. We may value commitment and drift when fatigue sets in. We may pursue competence and grow impatient on the plateau. We may speak of compassion and withhold empathy when it costs us something … These traits are not absorbed through lectures alone; they are earned through lived experience, reflection, and service … This book is not a finished statement. It is an invitation for you to continue on your leadership journey and is intended to serve as a practical guide to leading well.
What readers are saying
“The Five Cs of Leadership is very well written and a compelling read. I appreciate the leadership diagnostic found in the appendix, the gyroscope model, and its practical application described from beginning to end. ”
— Fitz Carty, PCC International Coaching Federation
“John Lesko translates timeless leadership principles into clear, practical guidance. In The Five Cs of Leadership, he offers vivid examples and actionable insight, inviting readers to engage, reflect, and grow. Leadership, he reminds us, is forged through discipline, experience, and genuine care. ”
— David Weyrick, D.Min., Ph.D.
“John Lesko’s The C’s of Leadership Everyone should ask themselves, how can I engage in the process of leadership as a leader that produces positive outcomes?From decades of research and lived experiences, John has woven a wonderful parable that provides insights along the path of development. Through short easily relatable stories that allow the reader to connect personally with the 5 C’s and how they can be engaged with in their lives, this guide not only gives us precious nuggets of knowledge to increase our understanding of becoming a leader, it also gives us actionable steps to bring the wisdom on the page into livable values that increase our impact in the world. A valuable standalone resource to help us all become a better leader. When used as a guide along with talented coach, this books becomes an even more powerful resource to maximize our impact as a leader. The answer to finding the balance amongst the Five C’s lies within these pages, and it is this balance that empowers a leader and increases their influence in the leadership process.”
— Michael J. Allen, MBA, PMP President and Principal Consultant, McCormack Consultants