The term “transformational leader” was first used by Bernard M. Bass , who elaborated on the work of leadership expert and presidential biographer James MacGregor Burns . Burns created the original concept of a “transforming leader.” Concerning the nature of leadership, Burns said, “ Leaders and followers make each other advance to a higher level of morality and motivation .” In other words, leadership is about inspiring change. Transformational Leadership
A transformational leader is a model of integrity, someone who sets clear goals and has high expectations. They encourage others and recognize their efforts. A transformational leader can stir people’s emotions and get them to see past their self-interest by inspiring them to reach for the improbable . What makes a Transformational Leader?
A transformational leader has a huge influence on people who follow him. He might be an ideal boss or an Ideal leader for them. This requires that he behaves impeccably at all times, thinks beyond the call of duty and delivers his best. But at the same time, he needs to do things which are unthought-of of before.
A transformational leader should inspire people to move in the right direction. Even when the leader is not present himself, his people should be motivated and inspired in their professional and personal life to follow the leader and to do the right things.
A mark of a transformational leader is that he stimulates his own subordinates intellectually. He is always demanding the best from them as a result of which, even the subordinates think of ways to make their leader happy. He listens to his subordinates, appreciates their excellent feedbacks and might even admonish them for improper thinking. But in the end, this leader motivates and challenges people intellectually.
Besides managing all of the above, the true transformational leader is one who considers each individual separately and treats each person as a different human being. He understands their issues and knows how to read people as well as motivate them. At the same time, such a leader might use the right people at the right time thereby giving better overall results. Such actions give confidence to the subordinates under him.
Examples of Transformational Leadership The transformational leadership is one of the most important types of leadership in the world as a lot of “Great Leaders” implemented.
Transformational Leaders: A Blessing or a Curse?
Examples of Transformational Leadership Jeff Bezos, Amazon: Harvard Business Review attribute’s Bezos’ “insider, outsider” status as part of what makes him a great transformational leader. As someone who jumped from the finance world, he brought a fresh perspective to e-commerce through years of experience in a different industry.
Examples of Transformational Leadership Reed Hastings, Netflix: Hastings tied for first alongside Bezos, and for similar reasons. Hailing from the software industry, he wasn’t rooted in pre-established process and procedure in the television industry.
Examples of Transformational Leadership Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Apple: HBR points to Apple as an example of “dual transformation”: Jobs innovated on original Microsoft products while also building a software ecosystem. Cook has extended on Jobs’ vision, maintaining a focus on innovation, software and brand loyalty.
Examples of Transformational Leadership Director Steven Spielberg also makes our list based on his contributions to cinema—perhaps more visionary than any director ever.
Malala Yousafzai has proven herself to be an effective transformational leader and has positioned herself to impact the issue of women's education. By speaking openly to the public, even in the face of terrorism and violence, Malala demonstrates that she is a natural transformational leader . Examples of Transformational Leadership