Unit 4 Activity 1: Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is a process of interaction between the leader and followers. This form of leadership focuses on improving follower performance and helping followers meet their full potential (Northouse, 2016, p. 167). There are four factors characteristic of transformational leadership – idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration (Northouse, 2016).
Transformational leaders give followers a vision and sense of mission (Northouse, 2016, p. 168). They are regarded as highly moral and ethical so they are deeply respected and trusted (Northouse, 2016, p. 168). By placing priority in developing individual followers to their full potential, transformational leaders inspire followers to commit to contributing to the greater common good (Northouse, 2016, p. 176).
While transactional leadership uses contingent reward and management-by-exception to guarantee expected results from followers (Northouse, 2016, p. 170), transformational leadership encourages followers to perform beyond expectations by putting down their own self-interests for the great good of the group (Bass & Avolio as cited in Northouse, 2016, p. 170).
Walt Disney is a transformational leader that I really admire because Disney is an excellent example of how prioritizing follower development can lead to incredible organizational success. Walt Disney had a clear vision and inspired others to share his dream through his animations (Loftus, 2014). He created a culture of trust and staff empowerment within the organization (Jones, 2014). Today, years after his death, his dream and vision still lives on and Disney remains one of the greatest animation empire in the world.
References
Jones, B. (2014, October 11). The Key to Transformational Leadership: Know How to Empower Your People. Retrieved from https://disneyinstitute.com/blog/2014/12/the-key-to-transformational-leadership-know-how-to-empower-your-people/
Loftus, G. (2014, May 22). The Keys of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffloftus/2014/05/22/mickey-mouse-leadership/#12999b16321a/
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
October 22, 2017 @ 8:28 pm
“Transformational leadership is a process of interaction between the leader and followers.”
– It is definitely relational. There is an interaction between both groups and that interaction is essential for good leadership.
“In other words, only when followers interact with leaders over a long period of time the positive effects of transformational leadership (in terms of moral development) are able to manifest.”- Zubin R. Mulla, Venkat R. Krishnan, 2011
“Transformational leadership encourages followers to perform beyond expectations by putting down their own self-interests for the great good of the group”
– Great point. Great leaders both servant and transformational push their followers beyond their followers expectations. They guide their followers toward the group goal, by helping them put aside their preconceived notions about their own abilities.
Unit 4 Comments – Rob Tegelberg
October 22, 2017 @ 9:02 pm
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