Kaolin

Transformational Leadership

CONTENTS

1. What is transformational leadership?

2. Components of Transformational Leadership

3. How does Transformational Leader work?

4. What are the characteristics of a leader of change?

5. Transformational Leadership Behavior

1. What is Transformational Leadership?

* An ongoing process by which "leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of morality and motivation"

* Transformational leaders raise the bar by appealing to higher ideals and values of followers. In doing so, they may model the values themselves and use charismatic methods to attract people to the values and to the leader.

* James Mc Gregor, who first introduced the concept of Transformational Leadership , asserts that true leadership not only creates change and achieves goals within the environment, but changes the people involved in the necessary actions for the better as well: both followers and leaders are ennobled.

* Bernard Bass, a disciple of Burns, identified three ways in which leaders transform followers:

a) Increasing their awareness of task importance and

value.

b) Getting them to focus first on team or organizational goals, rather than their own interests.

c) Activating their higher-order needs.

2. Components of Transformational Leadership

There are four components of transformational leadership:

a) Charisma or idealized influence

This is the degree to which the leader behaves in admirable ways that cause followers to identify with the leader on an emotional level.

b) Inspirational motivation

The degree to which the leader articulates a vision that is appealing and inspiring to followers. Followers need to have a strong sense of purpose if they are to be motivated to act.

c) Intellectual stimulation

The degree to which the leader challenges assumptions, takes risks and solicits followers' ideas....