transformational leadership

Question 1

TRANSFORMATIONAL & TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP THEORIES (BURNS)

Answer 1

• Transformational: connection between leader and followers that raises level of motivation and morality in both parties (strong intrinsic motivation)

• Charisma: Charismatic leaders emphasize intrinsic rewards and deemphasize extrinsic rewards
• Charismatic leaders act in unique way, mostly have high moral and ethical standards

• Transactional:
focus on exchange between leader and followers
- promotions for performance
(strong external motivation)

Question 2

7 LEADERSHIP FACTORS

Answer 2

4 I’s (Transformational Factors): Connection that raises motivation and morality
1. Idealized Influence/Charisma: leader who act as inspiring role model, high moral and ethical
standards, deeply respected, provides sense of mission

2. Inspirational Motivation: Communication of high expectations, inspiring through motivation
   - > establish team spirit and group cohesion
3. Intellectual Stimulation: generate creativity, innovation power and stimulate to engage in careful problem solving -> boosts team cohesion
4. Individual Consideration:
   leader acts as coach and advisor, provides positive climate, listens very carefully to followers needs -> information power: uses delegation to help followers grow

2 Transactional Factors: Focus on exchange between Leaders and their Followers

5. Contingent Reward: exchange process between leader and follower -> salary goes up if performance increases
6. Management by Exception: corrective criticism -> find mistakes
   - Passive: poor performance evaluation without talking with employee
   - Active: watches closely to identify mistakes or rule violations

1 Laissez Faire Factor
7. Absence of Leadership:
little effort to help followers grow -> weakens trust in long-run but can be sign of trust in short-run

Question 3

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES OF THE TL / TRANSACTIONAL APPROACH

Answer 3

Pro
1. process-focused, incorporates both followers and leaders needs

2. Strong emphasis on follower values, moral and emotional respect
3. Intuitively appealing
4. Substantial evidence for effectiveness
5. Sustainable way of problem solving

Contra

1. Lacks conceptual clarity, substantial overlap between each of fours I’s
2. Treats leadership as a personality trait rather than a learnable behavior
3. Potential to be abused, mitigated if followers are aware and engaged in how they are being led