Transformational leadership: Meaning, elements and traits of transformational leader

This article defines the meaning of transformational leadership and highlights on its main elements, traits of a transformational leader as well as the difference between transformational and transactional leadership style.

What is transformational leadership?

Transformational Leadership is a leadership style that relies on inspiring and motivating followers to reach the goals. The leaders who use this aproach to lead their teams are always passionate and more inspirational. They can inspire their teams to change their perspectives, expectations and motivation to work and reach the common targeted goals. 

According to How Transformational Leadership Can Inspire Others by Verywellmind, "Transformational leaders are generally energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate. Not only are these leaders concerned and involved in the process, but they are also focused on helping every member of the group succeed."

Verywellmind also says "These leaders have a marked passion for the work and an ability to make the rest of the group feel recharged and energized." 

The transformational leaders are always involved in the process but also focus on helping their teams to reach success. They do this not for recognition or praise, but it is their passion.

According to the article What is transformational leadership? written by techtarget.com, says "While transformational leaders are often admired, they don't seek out praise or adulation because their focus is on doing what's best for their organization."

You can also read: Laissez-faire Leadership Style: Meaning, Characteristics, When to use, Advantages and Disadvantages

Elements of transformational leadership

The researcher Bernard Bass introduced the four elements of transformational leadership which are individual consideration, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation and idealized influence.

1. Individual consideration: Transformational leadership involves listening, supporting and encourage everyone in a team.
2. Intellectual stimulation: Transfomational leadership also involves fostering environment that encourages creativity.
3. Inspirational motivation: Transformational leadership involves articulating a shared vision to employees and inspire them to work toward shared goals.
4. Idealized influence: Transformational leaders acts as role models for their followers. They are highly trusted and respected by their followers.

You can also read: Democratic Leadership Style: Meaning, Characteristics, Advantages And Disadvantages

Traits of transformational leader

The following are distinctive characteristics of transformational leaders that differentiate them from other leaders.

• Visionary: They can plan for the future and usually inspire their teams to work toward the shared vision.
• Participative: They are always involved in the process and helps their teams to achieve the goals.
• Self-awareness: Transformational leaders have knowledge of their own characters, they know their own strengths as well as their weaknesses. They usually thrive on personal growth and believe on continuous learning and improvement.
• Inspirational: Transformational leaders are emotionally intelligent, they can inspire and motivate their followers toward goals achievement.
• Proactive to problems: They always find out solution to problems or changes even before they come.
• Supportive to the team: Transformational leaders focus on helping their followers to reach the goals.
• Punctual: They are willing to take the responsibilities on time, the don't like to delay.
• Adaptable to changes: They are responsive and adaptable to changes and they usually find new innovative solution to combat the dynamics. 
• Open-mindedness: Transformational leaders are open to new ideas and perspectives. They usually collect information from various sources before making strategic decisions.
• Passionate: Transformational leaders are passionate about their work and mission and vision of an organization, while also helping their groups to reach the goals.

You can also read: Autocratic Leadership Style: Meaning, Characteristics, Advantages And Disadvantages

Difference between transformational and transactional leadership style

Transactional leadership style based on motivating employees through rewards and punishments. It is more effective when a team needs to accomplish short term projects. However, transactional leadership always diminish the level of creativity, thus it is not good when team members perform tasks or projects that require them to think innovatively to come up with creative ideas.

While, Transformational leadership based on inspiring employees to work in order to achieve the common goals. Unlike transactional style which focus on extrinsic motivation, transformational leadership focus much on motivating followers intrinsically, this makes it suitable to teams with longterm goals to accomplish.

You can also read: 10 Management Styles For Effective Leadership (Pros, Cons, When to use them) And Factors Influencing Management Styles