Transformational Leadership

Leadership is undergoing a fundamental transformation today. The transformationfrom a leader as a boss and critic to leader as a partner and coach. This transformed role requires certain skills because leadership is what you do with people, not to them.

Evidence from an array of studies has supported the positive effect of Transformational Leadership (TL) on productivity, job satisfaction, stress, and commitment. Therefore, it can be assumed that the skills of transformational leadership would encourage performance and innovation in this rapidly changing marketplace.

The four characteristics of TL as identified by previous researchers are as follows :

a. Idealized influence where the leader is seen as a role model,

b. Inspiration motivation where the leader inspires motivation and team spirit,

c. Intellectual stimulation where the leader stimulates creativity and innovation, and

d. Individualized consideration where the leader mentors and supports each follower.

By giving meaning and purpose to the work they do, transformational leaders inspire and motivate followers to go beyond expectations.

Transformational leaders use intellectual stimulation to challenge their followers’ customary ways of doing things and encouraging innovative ways of working and solving problems