Transformational leadership

‘Leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of morality and motivation.’ Burns (1978) ‘Transformational leadership refers to the leader moving the follower beyond immediate self interest.’ Bass (1999)

The four components of transformational leadership 1. Individualised consideration: the leader treats each follower on his or her own merits, and develops each follower through mentoring, coaching and delegation. 2. Intellectual stimulation: the leader encourages free thinking, and emphasises reasoning before any action is taken. 3. Inspirational motivation: the leader creates an optimistic, clear and attainable vision of the future, thus encouraging others to raise their expectations. 4. Idealised influence or charisma: the leader makes personal sacrifices, takes responsibility for his or her actions, shares any glory and shows great determination.

Transformational leadership seems to be a good thing in that: trust in the leader is strongly associated with followers’ satisfaction it is significantly associated with positive measures of group performance this seems to be true in different organisations and different levels within them (Lowe et al, 1996)

Summary – four components of transformational leadership Idealised influence: charisma and respect Inspirational motivation: meaning and challenge Intellectual stimulation: learning and change Individualised consideration: growth and development ‘Successful transformational leaders are usually identified as providing a strong vision and arousing strong emotions in Followers’ M. Bass (1985) Leadership and performance beyond expectations