“Transformational leadership occurs when leaders raise people’s motivation and sense of higher purpose. It is distinguished from transactional leadership, which involves an exchange between leader and followers that typically provides a material or psychological reward in return for their compliance with the leader’s wishes, policies and procedures” (Roger Gill).
Transformational leaders:
- Have strong value systems
- Stimulate imagination and creativity
- Raise motivation , self-esteem , and self-confidence
- Build stronger relationships
- Inspire followers to dream beyond what is expected
Transactional leaders:
- Initiate a transaction between the leader and the led
- Set objectives and standards
- Monitor and enforce rules and procedures
- Have relationships built on reward in return for compliance
- Are strongly directive, gaining compliance rather than commitment
“Most organisations will benefit from moving in the direction of more transformational aspects in their cultures, while also maintaining a base of effective transactional tendencies” (Bernard Bass).
Thanks to Roger Gill for permission to use material from his book “Theory And Practice Of Leadership” second edition, published by Sage
