What is Transformational Leadership?
Different scholars have studied the influence that leaders have in societies and organizations. Leaders use different styles and approaches to guide their followers. Through study and self-reflection I have come to define myself as a Transformational Leader, but what do we mean when we use such a term?
Marion and Gonzalez (2014) state that “A transformational leader is one who acts as a role model that you want to follow. Inspirational as well as transparent and ethical.”
Leithwood, Harris, and Hopkins’ (2008) assert that “It is through influence and, more important, distributed leadership and influence that leaders can make the greatest impact.”
James McGregor Burns, the great transformational leadership intellectual and historian explains that It’s about values, purpose and meaning: “Essentially the leader’s task is consciousness-raising on a wide plane. …The leader’s fundamental act is to induce people to be aware or conscious of what they feel -- to feel their true needs so strongly, to define their values so meaningfully, that they can be moved to purposeful action.”
All in all we can conclude that transformational leadership is about understanding the needs of a group or organization and providing them with:
1. The idealized influence that they need by being a role model to transform and advance the organization.
2. The Inspirational Motivation in articulating a vision that is appealing and inspiring to the followers.
3. The Intellectual stimulation to challenge, stimulate and encourage creativity and innovation to solve different problems.
4. The Individualized consideration to attend the follower’s needs as well as the organizational goals by developing individual capacities and fostering the individual contributions to the group in order to advance the institution.
References
Marion, R. & Gonzales, L.D. (2014). Leadership in education: Organizational theory for the practitioner. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.
Burns, J.M. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper Perennial.
Leithwood, K., & Harris, A. (2008). Seven strong claims about successful school leadership. S.l.: [s.n.].
Different scholars have studied the influence that leaders have in societies and organizations. Leaders use different styles and approaches to guide their followers. Through study and self-reflection I have come to define myself as a Transformational Leader, but what do we mean when we use such a term?
Marion and Gonzalez (2014) state that “A transformational leader is one who acts as a role model that you want to follow. Inspirational as well as transparent and ethical.”
Leithwood, Harris, and Hopkins’ (2008) assert that “It is through influence and, more important, distributed leadership and influence that leaders can make the greatest impact.”
James McGregor Burns, the great transformational leadership intellectual and historian explains that It’s about values, purpose and meaning: “Essentially the leader’s task is consciousness-raising on a wide plane. …The leader’s fundamental act is to induce people to be aware or conscious of what they feel -- to feel their true needs so strongly, to define their values so meaningfully, that they can be moved to purposeful action.”
All in all we can conclude that transformational leadership is about understanding the needs of a group or organization and providing them with:
1. The idealized influence that they need by being a role model to transform and advance the organization.
2. The Inspirational Motivation in articulating a vision that is appealing and inspiring to the followers.
3. The Intellectual stimulation to challenge, stimulate and encourage creativity and innovation to solve different problems.
4. The Individualized consideration to attend the follower’s needs as well as the organizational goals by developing individual capacities and fostering the individual contributions to the group in order to advance the institution.
References
Marion, R. & Gonzales, L.D. (2014). Leadership in education: Organizational theory for the practitioner. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.
Burns, J.M. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper Perennial.
Leithwood, K., & Harris, A. (2008). Seven strong claims about successful school leadership. S.l.: [s.n.].