Transformational Leadership Chapter 9 Leadership: Theory and Practice Peter G. Northouse

Transformational Leadership: What is it? A leadership style that changes and transforms people. Concerned with emotions, values, ethics, standards, and long-term goals. Transformational leaders must take into account their followers’ motives, satisfying their needs & treating them as full human beings.

What is it? Con’t. Involves influence that moves followers to accomplish more then what is usually expected from them. Often incorporates charismatic & visionary leadership. While the transformational leader plays a pivotal role in motivating change, followers & leaders are inextricably bound together in the transformation process.

Transformational Leadership Factors Factor 1 – Charisma or idealized influence. Leaders who act as a strong role models for followers; followers identify with these leaders & want very much to emulate them. Leaders tend to have very high standards of moral & ethical conduct. These leaders are deeply respected and trusted by their followers. Leaders provide their followers with a vision & a sense of mission.

Transformational Leadership Factors Factor 2 – Inspirational Motivation Leaders tend to communicate high expectations to followers, while inspiring them through motivation to become committed to and a part of the shared vision of the organization. Leaders use symbols & emotional appeals to focus group members’ efforts to achieve more for the group or organization.

Transformational Leadership Factors Factor 3 - Intellectual Stimulation Leader stimulates followers to be creative & innovative & to challenge their own beliefs & values as well as those of the leader & the organization. Leader supports followers as they try new approaches & develop innovative ways of dealing with organizational issues.

Transformational Leadership Factors Factor 4 – Individualized Consideration Leaders provide a supportive climate in which they listen carefully to the individual needs of followers. Leaders tend to act as coaches and advisors while trying to assist followers in becoming fully actualized.

How does Transformational Leadership Work? Leaders set out to empower followers & nurture them in change. Leaders create a culture in which employees feel empowered & encouraged to freely discuss & try new things. In order to create change, these leaders become strong role models for their followers. Leaders listen to their followers and are tolerant of opposing viewpoints.

How does Transformational Leadership Work? Transformational leaders create a vision that emerges from the collective interests of various individuals & units in an organization. This vision gives their followers a sense of identity within the organization & a sense of self-efficacy. These leaders are social architects that make clear the emerging values & norms of the organization.

How does Transformational Leadership Work? Leaders make sure that their followers know their roles & understand how they contribute to the greater purposes of the organization. Transformational leaders are effective at working with people. Transformational leadership results in people feeling better about themselves & their contributions to the greater good.

Strengths Widely researched from many different perspectives. Intuitive appeal. Treats leadership as a process that occurs between followers & leaders. Provides a broader view of leadership that augments other leadership models.

Strengths Places a strong emphasis on followers’ needs, values, & morals. Substantial evidence that transformational leadership is an effective form of leadership.

Criticisms Lacks conceptual clarity. How transformational leadership is measured. Treats leadership as a personality trait or personal predisposition rather than a behavior in which people can be instructed. Elitist & antidemocratic. Suffers from a “heroic leadership” bias. Has the potential to be abused.