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Reflection on transformational leadership style
Reflection on transformational leadership style
Reflection on transformational leadership style
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In our BA-509 Leadership Development course, we learned about the Transformational Leadership Theory. This theory states that, leaders with a tendency toward transformational leadership, are creative, brave, risk-takers and sophisticated thinkers. They work eagerly and optimistically and become the role models that employees seek to emulate. Additionally, they encourage their employees to be innovative and creative and reward them for doing so. Transformational leaders develop unique relationships with their employees tailored to their various needs and backgrounds in order to help the employee realize their potential. As a result, a spirit of teamwork and commitment in the organization is nurtured. Welch was a transformational leader
However, I think he is a nice boss. He indeed encouraged his employees by caring about their well-being and their professional growth. He gave top employees very high salaries, bonuses, and stock options. He spent lots of money improving the gym in light of impending layoffs because he insisted that the employees who would be retained, the “A players”, deserved an environment which reflected their excellence. On the other hand, layoffs had received the training necessary to ensure their swift employment with another agency. He believed that it was necessary to “do everything to give them the skills to have lifetime employability, even if we couldn 't guarantee them "lifetime employment” (Jack Welch Autobiography).
A people-centered leader recognizes the strength and weakness of employees, and isn’t bothered by the areas of leadership where some of their employees are more gifted. They should be proud of the strengths of their employees and even provide opportunities to help them develop those strengths. Welch was originally an expert in the chemical engineering field; specifically, the only business he knew was how to make plastic when he was promoted as a group executive. From that time, he realized he could no longer have fingertip control of all the details. That made his focus on people even
Under his leadership, companies like Scott Paper and Sunbeam-Oster benefited from massive layoffs designed to give the illusion of profitability. This is in stark contrast to what great leaders do during the inevitable downturn. According to Collins, great leaders are looking for way to find and keep great talent, especially during dips in earnings or productivity. The idea of employee-churn to great organizations is paramount to a failure in leadership. When hiring, great leaders “take the time to make rigorous A+ selections right up front” (GTG, p.75) Good to Great leaders take their time with important hiring decisions. It is more important to have the right people on the bus and in the right seats then to have a bus filled with people who do not belong. Letting people who do not belong on the bus comes down to two simple questions: 1. “If it were a hiring decision (rather than a “should this person be off the bus?” decision) would you hire the person again? 2. If the person came to you to tell you he or she is leaving to pursue an exciting new opportunity, would you feel terribly disappointed or secretly relieved?” (GTG,
...selbein and Cohen, “organizations that take the time to teach leadership are far ahead of the competition. By becoming familiar with the transformational leadership approach and combining the four I's, managers can become effective leaders in the business world.” (1999, p. 263). Transformational leadership can be applied in one-on-one or group situations. Using this approach, the manager (leader) and the associates (followers) are “transformed” to enhance job performance and help the organization be more productive and successful. All of these leaders have the attributes mentioned here. History will decide the greater impact they had on society as it is being written every day. Therefore, the qualities of transformational leadership make the essence of transformational management and the key to successful management of transformational organizational changes.
This case study demonstrates a young woman leader, Toby Johnson, who used to serve in the military as a pilot and attended Harvard Business School, joined PepsiCo’s Leadership Development Program (LDP), and was working in the management team at the Williamsport plant. She determined to forge ahead, and led the plant to achieve the Level 3 CI and also won the Doolin Award, which the Williamsport plant had never achieved before. The problem that Johnson encounters currently is that if the plant should continue to forge ahead and achieve the ultimate Level 4 CI, which will cost huge amount of money and efforts with the risk of her sudden leave of plant.
“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others” (Welch). Leadership is inspiring others to learn more, do more, and become more. Ineffective fail to possess certain characteristics which effective leaders do. Willingness to help others, selflessness, and strictness; these are the qualities of a both good and effective leader. Without these qualities, leadership would fail and being a leader would mean nothing.
Transformational leaders exhibit personal and professional qualities that other want to emulate and follow. These leaders advance the mission in combative environments. Transformational leaders propel the growth of the team through communication. Finally, transformational leaders leave a legacy that instills pride, moral, and determination for future success.
In Leadership Theory, Application & Skill Development, transformational leadership is defined as “seeking to change the status quo by articulating to followers the problems in the current system and presenting a compelling vision of what a new organization could be” (Lussier & Achua, 2013, p.331). This theory, in combination with the exercise regimen, CrossFit, is the focus of the book Transformational Leadership and High-Intensity Interval Training by Carol R. Himelhoch, PhD. Himelhoch illustrates a correlation between a leader’s ability to tap into the transformational leadership style and their consistent participation in intense workout sessions. A transformational leadership style benefits from High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) via challenging the participant, which imparts a sense of achievement when they complete a demanding Workout of the Day (WOD). HIIT encourages the individual to push themselves and take risks, not only during the workout, but also in their leadership roles at work.
In 2009 when Sergio Marchionne took over one of the Chrysler plants had around 200 workers and by the end of the summer over 4500 people were employed; at that location alone. During his 60 minute interview Mr. Marchionne gives a lot of acknowledgement to his employees crediting them for the successful turnaround in the company. This shows us that he is the type of leader who would motivate through the positive reinforcement theory because his positivity in the comments to his employees shows that he isn’t taking full credit for all the work that was done and the success that has happened. When Mr. Marchionne became CEO of Chrysler he moved his office down where the engineers work on the 4th floor. “No need for a top-floor penthouse, which sits empty where a chairman and three vice chairmen used to be, when a fourth floor office will suffice.” (Allpro.com). This was one of his first step in creating change of direction in a company which was used to being lead by leaders who didn’t fully engage with the employees. Another point to mention, and a result of his close contact with the engineer, is that the engineers were performing for him and were able to get a brand new car model designed and produced in less than a year; which proves his leadership style works. In order for a great leader to get this kind of effective cooperation from his employees shows his skills in leadership. By giving them positive reinforcement and being a motivational leader with high hopes with an optimistic vision for the future he was able to get them to perform and meet his standards and goals in a short allotted amount of time. This constrictive timeframe was strategic in reentering the automotive industry with a new product to boost sales and pro...
There are many leadership theories that play an important role in the every day workforce. Some of the theories are successful in producing a strong and productive leader, while others lack the qualities required for the job. Out of the multitude of available theories out there, I feel that the Transformational Leadership Theory is the one that stands out as being the most successful. This theory is far from coercive and instead focuses on making a satisfied team that collaborates to form a productive work environment. An environment like this, ran by a top-notch leader, is needed for success.
When I think of a leader in the business world I instantly think of a CEO. Drucker seemed to have had the same opinion. Edersheim stated, “The CEO sets the tone for an organization, its mission and its culture” (Edersheim 239). I agree with this because a leader takes charge in situations to make necessary decisions and actions. Drucker had three defining characteristics that make someone a leader. He believed that the person needs to have a broad field of vision and the ability to ask or answer what needs to be done (Edersheim 241). This is describing the ability to see beyond the present. To look into the outcome of the future based on a present decision you make now. This characteristic requires the embracement of change. A CEO can’t be afraid to make a decision that involves complete change. The old way of doing this isn’t always the most profitable way and a leader needs to have a vision to see that. Next, the thumbprint on the organization’s character and personality (Edersheim 241). A CEO has the ability to shape the image of the company. Drucker said, “The CEO nurtures and forms and organizations personality” (Edersheim 250). Personality of the CEO plays a huge role in how the company is looked at socially. Lastly, the influence he or she has on people (Edersheim 241). A leader has the ability to control a work environment. Policies and practices can be put into play to influence people to enjoy themselves. By doing
Dr. Sutton highlights what it takes to be a good boss. People that work for a good boss are 20 percent less likely to have a heart attack (Sutton, 2010). Dr. Sutton wrote that teams with stronger leaders cost the company less money and achieved their work better (Sutton, 2010). Engagement and performance of employees were based upon their direct boss and not if the company was good or bad (Sutton, 2010). Most bad bosses have employees who have check-out: actively disengaged, and undermine their co-workers accomplishments. Managers have to find the balance between performance and humanity to be successful. Performance is about doing everything possible to help followers do great work; while humanity is about employees experiencing dignity and pride. Treating managerial work as an endurance race instead of a sprint race with small wins will lead one to becoming a good boss called grit by Sutton. Sutton believes that good bosses walk a constructive line between being assertive and not assertive enough with guidance, wisdom, and feedback that he called Lasorda’s law (Sutton, 2010).
The transformational leadership theory was deemed an appealing based on individual beliefs regarding employee-leader relationships. With a focus on communication and motivation, transformational leaders promote positive change within
Transformational leadership is one of the most popular leadership styles. According to Kendrick (2011), “Transformational leadership involves four factors: 1. idealized influence, 2. inspirational motivation, 3. intellectual stimulation, and 4. individual consideration.” These four factors make transformational leadership have an impact on followers. The goal of transformational leadership is to cause a positive change in individuals, help motivate them, and develop a leader within each individual.
Employees often expect bosses to be kind, enthusiastic, selfless, and understanding people, such as bosses who their coworkers before themselves. Some people are lucky enough actually to have that type of managers, but most times people are stuck with a Donald Trump type who are mainly in it for themselves. These types of bosses are tough to deal but have many skills and flaws that can be beneficial to the employees. The benefits all depend on the type of boss they are, which can be identified by their management styles there are the workaholics, the intimidators, and the best buddy.
According to (Burns), “transformational leadership can be seen when "leaders and followers make each other to advance to a higher level of moral and motivation." the strength of the vision, transformational leaders are get followers to get their expectations, and motivations to work and achive their goals.
Transformational leadership focuses on what the leader can accomplish instead of his personal characteristics and how his relationship with others. This leader “helps to bring about major, positive changes by moving group members beyond their self-interests and toward the good of the group, organization, or society (Dubrin, 2007, p. 84). The essence of this leader is to develop and transform people.