Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBackgroundKey ComponentsTransformational TraitsEffectsTipsTransformational vs. TransactionalPotential PitfallsAre You a Transformational Leader?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Background
Key Components
Transformational Traits
Effects
Tips
Transformational vs. Transactional
Potential Pitfalls
Are You a Transformational Leader?
Close
Transformational leadership is aleadership stylethat can inspire positive changes in those who follow. Transformational leaders are generally energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate. Not only are these leaders concerned and involved in the process, but they are also focused on helping every member of the group succeed.
Transformational leaders focus on helping members of the group support one another and provide them with the support, guidance, and inspiration they need to work hard, perform well, and stay loyal to the group. The primary goals of transformational leadership are to inspire growth, promote loyalty, and instill confidence in group members.
This article discusses the characteristics of transformational leadership and its effects on groups.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
History of Transformational Leadership
Through the strength of their vision and personality, transformational leaders are able to inspire followers to change expectations, perceptions, andmotivationsto work towards common goals.
Later, researcher Bernard M. Bass expanded upon Burns’s original ideas to develop what is today referred to as Bass’s Transformational Leadership Theory. According to Bass, transformational leadership can be defined based on the impact that it has on followers. Transformational leaders, Bass suggested, garner trust, respect, and admiration from their followers.
Components of Transformational Leadership
Bass also suggested that there were four different components of transformational leadership. The four main elements of transformational leadership are:
Transformational Leadership Traits
So what are some typical signs of a transformational leader? Common characteristics of transformational leaders include:
Recap
Examples of Transformational Leadership
Recognizable figures who are often cited as examples of transformational leadership include:
The Major Leadership Theories
Effects of Transformational Leadership
In their classic text,Transformational Leadership, authors Bass and Riggio explained that these leaders inspire people to achieve extraordinary results. Group members are not just encouraged to participate; they are also inspired to become leaders themselves.
Researchers have found that this style of leadership can have a positive effect on the group. Some of these effects include:
How to Become a More Transformational Leader
Becoming a more transformational leader may provide many benefits. Researchers believe that such results can help companies develop leadership training programs that can be used to teach transformational leadership skills.
Acquiring communication skills such as resolving workplace conflicts and recognizing employees' needs are important parts of transformational leadership. Such programs can serve as essential parts of health promotion efforts in the workplace to help improve employee well-being.
What can you do to become a more transformational leader? Leadership experts suggest that a robust and positive future vision plays a critical role. Not only is it essential to believe in this vision yourself, but you’ve also got to inspire others to buy into your vision as well.
What 4 Real Employers Are Doing to Support Mental Health at Their Companies
Transformational Leadership vs. Transactional Leadership
Transformational leadership is often contrasted withtransactional leadership, which is a style that is essentially the opposite of transformational. In the transactional approach, leaders motivate their subordinates through the use of rewards and punishment.
While the transformational approach focuses on communication, inspiration, and positive reinforcement, transactional leaders supervise, monitor performance, and create routines to maximize efficiency. While the transactional approach can be effective in some situations, it does not foster loyalty, innovation, or creativity.
TransactionalMotivates using rewards and punishmentsFocused on complianceTends to focus on short-term goalsUses extrinsic rewards (pay, promotions, etc.)TransformationalMotivates using enthusiasm and charismatic inspirationFocused on commitmentMore focused on long-term successUses intrinsic rewards (esteem, pride, etc.)
TransactionalMotivates using rewards and punishmentsFocused on complianceTends to focus on short-term goalsUses extrinsic rewards (pay, promotions, etc.)
Motivates using rewards and punishments
Focused on compliance
Tends to focus on short-term goals
Uses extrinsic rewards (pay, promotions, etc.)
TransformationalMotivates using enthusiasm and charismatic inspirationFocused on commitmentMore focused on long-term successUses intrinsic rewards (esteem, pride, etc.)
Motivates using enthusiasm and charismatic inspiration
Focused on commitment
More focused on long-term success
Uses intrinsic rewards (esteem, pride, etc.)
Potential Pitfalls of Transformational Leadership
While transformational leadership is often viewed as one of the best approaches to leadership, that doesn’t mean that it is necessarily right for every situation. For example, when group members need more guidance and direction, it can be more effective to utilize a more transactional approach.
The transformational style can help improve group cohesion and commitment, but it can also contribute toburnoutwhen group members feel constantly pressured to give up all of their time and effort to support the goals of the group.
In situations where a lot of creativity and innovation are important to success, a transformational style is often a beneficial approach. But if the focus is on achieving a prescribed set of short-term goals, taking a more transactional approach might lead to less chaos and better results.
Try ourfast and free quizto find out if you tend towards transformational leadership or one of the other styles.
Takeaways
The transformational style of leadership can be highly effective when used appropriately, but it might not necessarily be the best choice for every situation. In some cases, groups may require a more managerial orautocratic stylethat involves closer control and greater direction, particularly in situations where group member are unskilled and need a lot of oversight.
One way toimprove your own leadership skillsis to assess your own current leadership style and think about ways in which your strengths can benefit the group you are leading. By evaluating your own skills, you will be better able to play to your strengths and work on improving your areas of weakness.
Is Democratic Leadership the Best Style of Leadership?
4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Allen GP, Moore WM, Moser LR, Neill KK, Sambamoorthi U, Bell HS.The role of servant leadership and transformational leadership in academic pharmacy.Am J Pharm Educ. 2016;80(7):113. doi:10.5688/ajpe807113Choi SL, Goh CF, Adam MB, Tan OK.Transformational leadership, empowerment, and job satisfaction: The mediating role of employee empowerment.Hum Resour Health. 2016;14(1):73. doi:10.1186/s12960-016-0171-2Psychology Today.Are you a transformational leader?Jacobs C; Pfaff H; Lehner B, et al.The influence of transformational leadership on employee well-being: Results from a survey of companies in the information and communication technology sector in Germany.J Occup Environ Med. 2013;55(7):772-778. doi:10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182972ee5Additional ReadingBass BM, Riggio RE.Transformational Leadership. 2nd ed. Psychology Press; 2006. doi:10.4324/9781410617095.
4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Allen GP, Moore WM, Moser LR, Neill KK, Sambamoorthi U, Bell HS.The role of servant leadership and transformational leadership in academic pharmacy.Am J Pharm Educ. 2016;80(7):113. doi:10.5688/ajpe807113Choi SL, Goh CF, Adam MB, Tan OK.Transformational leadership, empowerment, and job satisfaction: The mediating role of employee empowerment.Hum Resour Health. 2016;14(1):73. doi:10.1186/s12960-016-0171-2Psychology Today.Are you a transformational leader?Jacobs C; Pfaff H; Lehner B, et al.The influence of transformational leadership on employee well-being: Results from a survey of companies in the information and communication technology sector in Germany.J Occup Environ Med. 2013;55(7):772-778. doi:10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182972ee5Additional ReadingBass BM, Riggio RE.Transformational Leadership. 2nd ed. Psychology Press; 2006. doi:10.4324/9781410617095.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Allen GP, Moore WM, Moser LR, Neill KK, Sambamoorthi U, Bell HS.The role of servant leadership and transformational leadership in academic pharmacy.Am J Pharm Educ. 2016;80(7):113. doi:10.5688/ajpe807113Choi SL, Goh CF, Adam MB, Tan OK.Transformational leadership, empowerment, and job satisfaction: The mediating role of employee empowerment.Hum Resour Health. 2016;14(1):73. doi:10.1186/s12960-016-0171-2Psychology Today.Are you a transformational leader?Jacobs C; Pfaff H; Lehner B, et al.The influence of transformational leadership on employee well-being: Results from a survey of companies in the information and communication technology sector in Germany.J Occup Environ Med. 2013;55(7):772-778. doi:10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182972ee5
Allen GP, Moore WM, Moser LR, Neill KK, Sambamoorthi U, Bell HS.The role of servant leadership and transformational leadership in academic pharmacy.Am J Pharm Educ. 2016;80(7):113. doi:10.5688/ajpe807113
Choi SL, Goh CF, Adam MB, Tan OK.Transformational leadership, empowerment, and job satisfaction: The mediating role of employee empowerment.Hum Resour Health. 2016;14(1):73. doi:10.1186/s12960-016-0171-2
Psychology Today.Are you a transformational leader?
Jacobs C; Pfaff H; Lehner B, et al.The influence of transformational leadership on employee well-being: Results from a survey of companies in the information and communication technology sector in Germany.J Occup Environ Med. 2013;55(7):772-778. doi:10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182972ee5
Bass BM, Riggio RE.Transformational Leadership. 2nd ed. Psychology Press; 2006. doi:10.4324/9781410617095.
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
