Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership is a theory of leadership where a leader works with teams to identify needed change, creating a vision to guide the change through inspiration, and executing the change in tandem with committed members of a group. Transformational leadership is when a leader’s behaviour influences his or her followers and inspires them to perform beyond their perceived capabilities.

Transformational leadership inspires people to achieve unexpected or remarkable results. According to James MacGregor Burns, transformational leadership can be seen when "leaders and followers make each other to advance to a higher level of morale and motivation." One common thing about transformational leaders is that they are influential. But how are they able to get people to buy into their ideas? What makes one a transformational leader? What do they do different?

One major key characteristic of a transformational leader is he or she is purposeful. Transformational leaders know what they want to do. They have a clear understanding of priorities. Transformational leaders know what is important and must be dealt with before other things. They also have a sense of direction and purpose, very disciplined about goal achievement. They have vision(s), where they can imagine how an organization or a group of people could develop in the future and to plan suitably. They are also focused. Transformational leaders focus on “transforming” others to support each other and the organization as a whole.

Another characteristic of transformational leaders is that they are innovative. They can identify problems in a fresh, unconstrained way and introduce changes and new ideas or methods. They can identify needed change and negotiate with others into buying their ideas. They can produce creative ideas to support their missions or visions. This allows one to bring new ideas and energy on board, solve challenges that may stagnate development.

Transformational leaders are collaborative. There is an African proverb that says “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. Because transformational leaders want to go far in life, they work with others together to achieve a common goal. They draw on others for support. They have great value for humanity since humans are resources to be called upon in times of difficulty. Transformational leaders work as a team.

They are also optimistic. They are full of hope and good feelings for the future. They have optimistic views of their dreams. And also, they do not allow problems to easily dampen their enthusiasm. They are confident and hopeful about what they want to do.

Hence, transformational leadership brings into reality a complete and significant change, long-lasting effect and an evident shift in the culture.