At which level of leadership do followers respect the leader's character?

At the Pinnacle level of leadership, followers respect the leader's character because this level is characterized by the leader's ability to inspire and develop others based on a foundation of trust and integrity. Leaders at this level have demonstrated exceptional personal qualities and have garnered respect not only for their achievements but also for their ethical standards and commitment to the well-being of their followers. They have established a culture of respect, collaboration, and mutual growth, which leads followers to view them as role models. This level of leadership transcends mere transactional relationships and focuses on the deeper connections that are formed through consistent values and behaviors that build trust over time.

The other levels of leadership involve different aspects of the leader-follower relationship. While permission and production levels see respect based on relational and performance factors, it is at the Pinnacle level where the character of the leader becomes the defining attribute, resulting in profound admiration and loyalty from followers.