Unit 4 focuses on understanding that the extent to which the leader is able to shift the primary focus of leadership from the organization to the follower is the distinguishing factor in classifying leaders as either transformational or servant leaders. The focus will be on the role of transformational and servant leadership and identifying the four major categories of potential differences between transformational leadership and servant leadership which include; moral priorities, (member) development, focus of outcomes, and style of influence. Bass and Riggio (2006) mention that the emphases in transformational leadership fit “the needs of today’s work groups, who want to be inspired and empowered to succeed in times of uncertainty”. In other words, the needs of today’s work group are different than previous generations and therefore need fresh research into a “New Leadership” paradigm.
Bass & Riggio (2006) in the book Transformational Leadership, state that transformational leaders not only consider the needs of their followers, but
“transformational leadership can be seen when leaders and followers make each other advance to a higher level of morality and motivation.”
Leaders ensure that followers are satisfied on the job and have opportunities to be creative and innovative. Riggio suggests that the reason for the popularity of transformational leadership is because
“it represents the changing nature of effective leadership as we now see it and know it in business, government, and social movements (2006, p. 224).
As one part of transformational servant leadership, transformational leadership builds a foundation of empowerment and passion to move an organization forward through innovation. Servant leadership builds on the foundation with the aim to be
“attentive to the concerns of their followers, empathize with them, and nurture them. Servant leaders put followers first, empower them, and help them develop their full personal capacities” (Northouse, 2016).
It is within the distinctions that one can find a summary of what characteristics shape transformational servant leadership. A transformational servant leader must prioritize stimulating their followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes, as they serve the needs of their followers which will assist in each transformation in their leadership capacity.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit the students will be able to:
- Explain the conceptual similarities of transformational and servant leadership theories and the contributions both make to the understanding of leadership.
- Utilize critical thinking skills and incorporate tools for assessing, selecting, and developing approaches for leadership to build competency in higher-ordered analysis.
- Integrate leadership thinking related to values-based leadership and transformational servant leadership.
- Compare and contrast traditional perceptions of leadership with Transformative and Servant Leadership in organizations.
Textbook
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice, Seventh Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN 971452203409
Journal Articles
Mulla, Z.R. and Krishnan, V.R. (2011). Transformational leadership: Do the leader’s morals matter and do the follower’s morals change? Journal of Human Values 17(2), 129-143. [Library Link; sign-in required](https://ezproxy.student.twu.ca/login?url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/097168581101700203)
Searle, T.P. and Barbuto, J.E. (2011). Servant Leadership, Hope, and Organizational Virtuousness: A Framework Exploring Positive Micro and Macro Behaviors and Performance Impact. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies 18(1), 107-117. [Library Link; sign-in required](https://ezproxy.student.twu.ca/login?url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1548051810383863)
Smith, B.N., Montagno, R.V. and Kuzmenko, T.N. (2004). Transformational and servant leadership: Content and contextual comparisons. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies 10(4), 80-92. [Library Link; sign-in required](https://ezproxy.student.twu.ca/login?url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/107179190401000406)
Van Dierendonck, D. (2011). Servant leadership: A review and synthesis. Journal of Management 37(4), 1228-1261. [Library Link; sign-in required](https://ezproxy.student.twu.ca/login?url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0149206310380462)
References
Bass, B.M. and Riggio, R.E. (2006). Transformational Leadership. New York: Taylor & Francis Group.
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice, Seventh Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN 971452203409