Theories Of Transformational Leadership

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Transformation forms a very important part of an effective leadership style. Previous studies have given affirmative evidence about transformational leadership behaviors. Transformational leadership is essential and valuable in times of crisis and shifts and when organizations are in search of new organizations. Transformational leadership is an important approach when transformations in organizations and societies are taking place. Moreover, it plays an important role while facing challenges and accomplishing leadership tasks. The origins of transformational leadership took place through the works of Weber (1947: charismatic leader) , Burns (1979: transforming vs. transactional leadership) and Bass (1985, 1998 ; Bass and Riggio 2006 : Transformational …show more content…

According to him, leaders and followers are characterized by differences in motivation, power and skills. Leaders and followers engage and work towards a common goal. He introduced two separate forms of interactions between leaders and followers. In transactional leadership, leaders and followers bargain on the exchange of valuable things which creates value for them. There is no deep connection between leaders and followers , they do not have any shared and common believes and they do not work together towards a common organizational purpose. This kind of leadership has limited potential for success. Transforming leadership occurs when one or more people engage with others in such a way that leaders and followers connect with each other and help each other to get better in terms of motivation and morality. According to Burns, this transformation and change of leaders and followers is due to transforming leadership. This leadership can give favorable long term performance. According to Burns the two leadership styles- transforming and transactional are completely opposite to each other and which exist exclusively. Building on the work of Burns, Bass described further on his theory on leadership styles including transformational and transactional leadership style and extending it further to the full range leadership model. He initiated a study of transformational …show more content…

According to Bass, leaders should display both leadership styles depending of the need of the situation. In the explanation of full range leadership model, Bass and Riggio elaborated further on this concept of various leadership styles. The described the different leadership styles which includes: contingent reward, management by exception and laissez faire leadership in the full range leadership model. An efficient leader displays all leadership styles in a balance way. Transformational leadership is the positive behavior in order to achieve performance beyond expectations from the followers. Bass and Riggio noted that they see transformational leadership as the most positive of all leadership