RAINMAKERS
What Is Transformational Leadership ?
By Dr . Clifford Ferguson
Transformational Leadership is a style which involves working alongside team members in order to identify the need for change , create an inspiring and motivational vision , and to execute necessary steps required for change in tandem with team members .
Transformational Leadership is a style first described by American historian and political scientist James MacGregor Burns in his 1978 book Leadership and expanded on during the 1980s by fellow scholar Bernard M . Bass . Burns had studied various political leaders , including both Franklin D . Roosevelt and John F . Kennedy , and it is during this period he developed his leadership theories , including Transformational and Transactional Leadership .
It is a style which is utilized by leaders possessing specific traits , who look to work alongside their team members to identify change and develop the next action steps . But most importantly , they transform others - developing and empowering their individual followers to become leaders in and of themselves .
Transformational Leadership was utilized by notable historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela and is thus also often associated with the Servant Leadership philosophy . It is also particularly used in Change Management and Strategic Planning to develop and deliver a specific vision for the team or the organization , or to change the culture of the company .
Traits of aTransformational Leader
These types of leaders are often referred to as role models and mentors due to the empowering position they hold in creating a diverse environment , open to ideas and innovations . Their followers hold a level of trust in them , and they are quick to recognize the achievements of others to build confidence . Though they are open to new concepts and ideas , they encourage a culture of thinking which matches thoughts with the goals , values and beliefs of the organization .
According to Bernard M . Bass in his 1985 book Leadership and Performance Beyond Expectations , transformational leaders : Act with integrity and fairness ;
Transformational Leadership is a style which involves working alongside team members in order to identify the need for change , create an inspiring and motivational vision , and to execute necessary steps required for change in tandem with team members .
Set clear goals for individuals and the team ; Encourage others ; Provide individual support and recognition ; Raise the morale and motivation of others ; Steers individuals away from their selfinterest and towards selflessness ; Inspire others to strive for the improbable .
Though these are important traits and actions of a transformational leader , there is a simple pathway by which everyone can integrate the style into their leadership , or change management techniques .
How to Become a Transformational Leader
As mentioned , Transformational Leadership is often associated with the Servant Leadership philosophy . This is because they both involve working closely alongside members of the team , inspiring and motivating them , and using others to help identify the need for change , creating a specific vision to drive change , and executing it as a cohesive team .
Like all leadership styles , one of the key aims is to drive motivation amongst team members . Transformational Leadership does this by operating a number of mechanisms , including : connecting the follower ' s sense of identity to that of the task and the organization as a whole , acting as a role model and setting the standards for the project , allowing followers greater independence and responsibility for tasks , and assigning tasks which are suited to specific followers ' strengths and weaknesses .
We have broken down MacGregor and Bass ' thoughts into 5 simple steps to follow when you are trying to become a
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