TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Have you ever been in a group where someone
took control of the situation by conveying a clear vision of the group's goals,
a marked passion for the work, and an ability to make the rest of the group
feel recharged and energized? This person just might be what is called a
transformational leader.
Transformational
leadership is a leadership style that can inspire
positive changes in those who follow. Transformational leaders are generally
energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate. Not only are these leaders concerned and involved in the
process; they are also focused on helping every member of the group succeed as well
(Kendra Cherry, 2019).
Quick Background
The concept of transformational leadership was
initially introduced by leadership expert and presidential biographer James
MacGregor Burns. According to Burns, transformational leadership can be seen
when "leaders and followers make each other to advance to a higher level
of moral and motivation."
Through the strength of their vision and
personality, transformational leaders are able to inspire followers to change
expectations, perceptions, and motivations to work towards common goals.
Later, researcher Bernard M. Bass expanded
upon Burns's original ideas to develop what is today referred to as Bass’s
Transformational Leadership Theory. According to Bass, transformational
leadership can be defined based on the impact that it has on followers.
Transformational leaders, Bass suggested, garner trust, respect, and admiration
from their followers.
Components
Bass also suggested that there were four
different components of transformational leadership.
- Intellectual Stimulation – Transformational leaders not only challenge the status quo; they also encourage creativity among followers. The leader encourages followers to explore new ways of doing things and new opportunities to learn.
- Individualized Consideration – Transformational leadership also involves
offering support and encouragement to individual followers. In order to
foster supportive relationships, transformational leaders keep lines of
communication open so that followers feel free to share ideas and so that
leaders can offer direct recognition of the unique contributions of each
follower.
- Inspirational Motivation –
Transformational leaders have a clear vision that they are able to
articulate to followers. These leaders are also able to help followers
experience the same passion and motivation to fulfill these goals.
- Idealized Influence –
The transformational leader serve as a role model for followers. Because
followers trust and respect the leader, they emulate this individual and
internalize his or her ideals.
So what are
some typical signs of a transformational leader? Groups led by this type of
leader tend to be both successful and loyal. They give a lot to the team and
care deeply about the groups ability to accomplish its goals. Turnover tends to
be quite low as transformational leaders are able to inspire a great deal of
committment in their followers.
Effects
In their classic text, Transformational Leadership, authors Bass and Riggio
explained:
"Transformational leaders...are those who
stimulate and inspire followers to both achieve extraordinary outcomes and, in
the process, develop their own leadership capacity. Transformational leaders
help followers grow and develop into leaders by responding to individual
followers' needs by empowering them and by aligning the objectives and goals of
the individual followers, the leader, the group, and the larger
organization."
Researchers have found that this style of
leadership can have a positive effect on the group.
"Research evidence clearly shows that
groups led by transformational leaders have higher levels of performance and
satisfaction than groups led by other types of leaders," explained
psychologist and leadership expert Ronald E. Riggio in an article for Psychology Today.
The reason, he suggests, is that
transformational leaders believe that their followers can do their best,
leading members of the group to feel inspired and empowered.
What can you do to become a more
transformational leader? Leadership experts suggest that having a strong,
positive vision of the future plays a critical role. Not only is it important
to believe in this vision yourself; you've also got to inspire others to buy
into your vision as well. Being genuine, passionate, supportive, and
trustworthy are all key characteristics that will help motivate followers to
support your goals for the group.
REFERENCES
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-transformational-leadership-2795313
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60O2OH7mHys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60O2OH7mHys
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiBirP0yaLmAhXTe30KHYZ9ADAQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=%2Furl%3Fsa%3Di%26source%3Dimages%26cd%3D%26ved%3D%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.verywellmind.com%252Fwhat-is-transformational-leadership-2795313%26psig%3DAOvVaw32RxEw-qYcO0ZyjJzILqq6%26ust%3D1575775118557831&psig=AOvVaw32RxEw-qYcO0ZyjJzILqq6&ust=1575775118557831
