A successful leader is looked up to and inspires people to achieve ideals and gain values that they hold dear. The best way to achieve this is to be a person who uses positivity to motivate and encourage a team, an organisation, or even a country to embrace change. This is the very essence of transformational leadership.
Change is inevitable. A transformational leader recognises this and envisions a better future. In doing so, they work to embrace change from a place of positivity and purpose rather than fear and reactivity.
What makes one ‘A Transformational Leader’
There are several types of transformational leaders. Some may take up social causes and work to uplift the people, institute a company based on strong values, or even be the country’s top financial advisors. No matter where they work, certain qualities are common to such leaders. These include –
- Vision and foresight
- Empathy
- Innovation
- Emotional Intelligence
- Inclusivity
- Inspiration
- Communication
- Responsibility
- Team first attitude
- Commitment
Examples of Transformational Leaders
The history of the world has been written by transformational leaders. Some famous transformational leaders who have changed the way we view the world and live our lives include Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barack Obama. Coming down to the world of industry and business, we have seen the likes of Jamsetji Tata, who have been pioneer industrialists and Steve Jobs, an innovator par excellence.
Transformational Leadership in organisations
Transformational leadership can benefit every sphere and aspect of our lives. From politics to society, economics to the corporate world, transformational leaders positively impact every walk of life. When it comes to organisations, transformational leadership turns challenging situations around and motivates them to move to higher levels of success.
Are you a transformational leader?
As a team lead, a manager, or a business owner, this is one of the essential questions you need to ask. You must develop the qualities that make you an extraordinary and transformational leader. It is important to remember, in this respect, that great leaders learn and practice many of their skills with consistency.
It is also important that you create an organisational environment that helps others foster these skills. This is reflected in the company culture, the basic tenets you may be setting. Your own behaviour will be modelled by many of your peers and employees, making you the trendsetter.
Transformational leadership should not remain a vague idea that is often discussed but impractical in practice for organisations. Transformational leadership should be real and tangible. This is only possible when the qualities such as empathy, inspiration, and innovation are identified and even defined. It is also important to put systems that will identify people with these qualities and suitably recognise them.
It is important to remember that transformational leaders are harbingers of change. We often find them imagining how the world would be if it were a better place for everyone and then working with a purpose to make that dream a reality. Without them, the masses would be doomed to repeat history and not learn valuable lessons about evolution. One of the most important aspects of transformational leadership is inclusivity. This leadership style helps grow and leverage the potential of everyone around them. This makes it both unique and harmonious, facilitating the way to change.
Summary – A transformational leader recognises that change is inevitable and works to make the transition to the future a smooth and harmonious process. Transformational leadership is rooted in empathy, communication, and inspiration. It aims to bring out the best in everyone and work for the betterment of everyone. Transformational leadership is not about reacting to external change but initiating it. These visionary leaders can see the gaps in the organisation, society, and the way we live and aim at plugging these gaps through innovation and inclusivity.
