STRIVE TO TRANSFROM
Everything in life takes compromise. Compromise revolves around give and take situations. Transactional leadership is this exchange. With my husband in the military, many of the events we attend follow this idea that structure surrounds all tasks. There is a clear chain of command that must be followed. Rewards and punishments steer the way for behavior. For example, within my husband's squadron, they receive a day barbeque with families if there ae no DUIs for a year. This is a very beneficial reward that impacts a serious problem amongst Marines. As a transactional leader, you lead followers to excel in their line of work, but expect something in return.
Do you know of anyone that you can call a transformational leader? Someone who has transformed and inspired you to rise to be a leader? I do not know that I have. Transformational leadership takes time and should result in a situation where both the leader and follower have raised each other to greater capacities. Transformational leadership follows the below 4 I's.
The key to transformational leadership is to truly put your words into actions and have your actions match your words. Otherwise, how do you expect followers to follow you? Mutual trust must first be solidified. Transformational leaders build other leaders. For example, Martin Luther King is a transformational leader who still today, inspires followers to become leaders themselves. President Barack Obama is a prime example.
I do not think that I have met my transformational leader yet, however, I do know that I have transformed from steering away from mistakes made by other leaders, both in my professional and personal life.
