Posted on Psychologytoday. Nice article. I stripped the questionnaire because I don’t usually agree with 6 item inventory/tests. They remind me of those found in magazines. No standardization, statistic validity or construct validity. The rest is worth reading and makes us think. Are we or are we not transformational leaders? Besides, it’s a good start point to step aside from the classical leadership model.
Here’s the excerpt.
The most popular theory of leadership today is transformational leadership. What is a transformational leader? Originally focused on leaders who “transform” groups or organizations, transformational leaders focus on followers, motivating them to high levels of performance, and in the process, help followers develop their own leadership potential.
There are 4 components to transformational leadership, sometimes referred to as the 4 I’s:
Idealized Influence (II) – the leader serves as an ideal role model for followers; the leader “walks the talk,” and is admired for this.
Inspirational Motivation (IM) – Transformational leaders have the ability to inspire and motivate followers. Combined these first two I’s are what constitute the transformational leader’s charisma.
Individualized Consideration (IC) – Transformational leaders demonstrate genuine concern for the needs and feelings of followers. This personal attention to each follower is a key element in bringing out their very best efforts.
Intellectual Stimulation (IS) – the leader challenges followers to be innovative and creative. A common misunderstanding is that transformational leaders are “soft,” but the truth is that they constantly challenge followers to higher levels of performance.
Research evidence clearly shows that groups led by transformational leaders have higher levels of performance and satisfaction than groups led by other types of leaders. Why? Because transformational leaders hold positive expectations for followers, believing that they can do their best. As a result, they inspire, empower, and stimulate followers to exceed normal levels of performance. AND, transformational leaders focus on and care about followers and their personal needs and development.
Article by Fernando
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Developing the potential in followers is the way to go.
In my recently published pre-teen novel, Ian, one of Santa’s Helpers, struggles to understand the difference between managing and leading. He understands that management is based upon processes, order, and controls and that leadership is more about developing the potential in others.
I think that it would be a step in the right direction if we were to teach some of the management and leadership concepts, including Transformational Leadership, to our youth at an early age. Later on in life, they will be more receptive to change which is always happening in the business world, or in our lives, in general.
All the best!
Eric Dana Hansen, Author of “IAN, CEO, North Pole”
http://www.ianceonorthpole.com
Developing the potential in followers is the way to go.
In my recently published pre-teen novel, Ian, one of Santa’s Helpers, struggles to understand the difference between managing and leading. He understands that management is based upon processes, order, and controls and that leadership is more about developing the potential in others.
I think that it would be a step in the right direction if we were to teach some of the management and leadership concepts, including Transformational Leadership, to our youth at an early age. Later on in life, they will be more receptive to change which is always happening in the business world, or in our lives, in general.
All the best!
Eric Dana Hansen, Author of “IAN, CEO, North Pole”
http://www.ianceonorthpole.com
Twitter: ftarnogol
March 26, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I totally agree.
Much of the work we do in our residential programs is focused on making leaders out of followers.
Some of the kids we work with have gotten into trouble with the law, mostly by following the wrong people.
We teach them to make the right decisions and rely on themselves for making those calls instead of blindly following someone that may not be acting in their best interest.
Thanks for commenting!
Great site this psixp.wordpress.com and I am really pleased to see you have what I am actually looking for here and this this post is exactly what I am interested in. I shall be pleased to become a regular visitor
Great site this psixp.wordpress.com and I am really pleased to see you have what I am actually looking for here and this this post is exactly what I am interested in. I shall be pleased to become a regular visitor
Twitter: ftarnogol
April 5, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it. I´m always looking forward to hearing what people has to say or want to read. If you have specific interests please let me know, since it might be something I haven´t thought about
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