Leadership Theories: Transformational Leadership

Leadership is the ability of an individual to establish a clear vision, share the defined vision with others, provide a way through which the established vision will be achieved, define the methods and procedures for attaining the vision and provide mediation and conflict resolution among members and stakeholders while preserving their interests. The formation of a leader is highly realized during times of crisis. Leadership is totally different from management (Giuliani et al, 2002). Management can be taught to an individual but leadership is born with the individual. Leadership can however be enhanced through tutoring and mentorship programs.

Transformational leadership theory conceptualized in the late 1970’s, proposed that leaders could motivate followers through shared vision and mutual interest to uplift the entire organization to a higher morality (Burns, 1978). Morality was defined as leaders and followers working together to fulfill organizational goals and achieve higher performances within a context of change and innovation. Leaders would surpass their own self-interest, in order to, foresee, foster, and indoctrinate a new organizational vision to their followers. Bass operationalized Burns’ seminal work into a leadership model to better indentify transformational leadership characteristics. The model emphasized four dimensions such as idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration in order to achieve success.

Transformational leadership is the most popular leadership style today. It is an engaging leadership style that creates results based on motivating followers to reach their highest potential.

Transformational leadership introduces and advances new cultural forms. It fosters the creation of a more enduring bond between leader and follower as they move each other toward higher levels of motivation and morality

Transformational leadership describes a leader moving followers beyond immediate self-interests through idealized influence (charisma), inspiration motivation, intellectual stimulation, or individualized consideration. Transformational leaders are change agents. They influence the mission and objectives to make way for a brighter future for the organization. Followers are motivated to do more than is originally expected because of their feelings of trust and respect for the leader.

Introduction Leadership a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal (Northouse). Leaders help themselves and others to do the right things. They set direction, build an inspiring vision, and create something new. Leadership is about mapping out where you need to go to "win" as a team or an organization; and it is dynamic, exciting, and inspiring (Manktelow).

Transformational leadership can be defined as causing a change in individual and social system. Besides, transformational leaders usually connect follower’s aspirational with the organizational goal and persuade the followers to achieve the organizational goals to satisfy themselves (Tauber, 2012).

Northouse (2013) talks about the popularity of transformational leadership as a new leadership approach. Transformational leadership is a process that transforms and changes the followers. In transformational leadership, the leader focuses on motivating the followers in order to achieve their long-term goals. Being inspired and motivated can help the followers to achieve more success. Transformational leadership also focuses on establishing values and ethics at the workplace to create an environment that is more satisfying for the followers. The element of charisma also is very important and effective in this process.

Leadership and followership are interrelated and cannot exist or be understood without one another. By definition, leadership is the complete opposite of followership. Both roles are vital to the success of an organization (Zogjani, Llaci, & Elmazi, 2014). Followership is the capacity to successfully follow direction, to go along with the projected plan, to be a team player, and to supply what is demanded of you (McCallum, 2013). Leadership is the process of how a person may lead a group to accomplish a shared goal and a behavior in which the person possesses characteristics to direct people and their actions in a methodical attempt (Bishop, 2013). Leadership and followership are distinct roles that one person may have to perform simultaneously

Transformational leaders ensure that the team is active at any given time, and they are involved and creative with innovation. That brings all together as a team not only to achieve the best results possible for the company, but also to enrich their well-being to create more productive workforce and a pleasant environment. Under this leadership, employees learn to work in a team while also being appreciated for their individual performance (Bass,