Leadership is the process by which a person exerts influence over other people and inspires, motivates, and directs their activities to help achieve group or organizational goals (Jones & George, 2009, p. 415). A leadership theory is a discipline that focuses on finding out what makes successful leaders excel in what they do (Robertson, 2008). Recently, numerous leadership theories have been proposed with purposes that influence the effectiveness of leaders. Despite of the various leadership theories, the author of this paper will focus on how the transformational leadership theory is utilized to make a business firm known as Apple Inc. successful and discussing this theory’s contradiction to Joseph McCarthy’s transactional leadership theory. The second reason supporting this paper is identifying a leadership style the author is most aligned to and discussing how to practice this leadership style in a future job.
Analyzing transformational leadership theory in Apple Inc.
Transformational leadership theory is defined as a modern form of leadership that makes subordinates aware of the importance of their jobs and performance to the organization and aware of their own needs for personal growth and that motivates subordinates to work for the good of the organization (Jones & George, 2009, p. 430). According to Burns (1978), he concluded that transformational leadership occurs when leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality (Burns, 1978).
As Northouse (2015) explained, transformational leadership is a process that can change and transform the emotions, values, ethics, standard, and long term goals of the people. It also involves transforming followers to accomplish more than what is expected of them. The four factors that are closely associated with transformational leadership includes being an idealized influence or charisma leaders who act as strong role models, have a high standard of moral and ethical conduct, and deeply respected by his or her followers. A leader who can inspire and motivate their followers to be part of a shared vision of the organization. A leader who can also stimulate followers to become more creative and innovative, and provide the necessary coaches and advice to the followers (p.167).
Transformational Leadership empowers or enables its followers. The leader engages with the follower in a way that both the leader and follower transcend to a higher level of motivation and morality (Nicholls, 1994).
Transformational leadership accomplishes many of the same results among followers or subordinates. This style of leadership was first introduced in 1978 by James McGregor Burns. Transformational leadership is about inspiring others to go above and beyond expectations. There are four components of transformational leadership. Idealized influence refers to leaders as role models for followers displaying positive behaviors, including setting ethical standards and considering the
There are many models of leadership that exist across a range of fields (e.g. social work, education, psychology, business, etc.). The ability to transform an organization successfully requires a different set of attitudes and skills. Transformational leadership is an approach where a leader utilizes inspiration, charisma, individualized attention, and intellectual stimulation with their employees (Iachini, Cross, & Freedman, 2015, p. 651). Transformational leadership helps to clarify organizational vision, inspires employees to attain objectives, empowers employees, encourages employees to take risks, and advocates the seeking of alternative solutions to challenges in the workplace (Transformational Leadership, 2015). It allows the leader to engage and motivate each follower identify with the organization’s values and goals.
Transformational Leadership can be defined as a style of leadership in which the leader identifies the needed change, creates a vision to guide the change through influence and inspiration, and
Transformational leadership describes a leader moving followers beyond immediate self-interests through idealized influence (charisma), inspiration motivation, intellectual stimulation, or individualized consideration. Transformational leaders are change agents. They influence the mission and objectives to make way for a brighter future for the organization. Followers are motivated to do more than is originally expected because of their feelings of trust and respect for the leader.
Transformational leadership is described as a person who has the ability to make followers into leaders and promote change (Roussel & Swansburg, 2009). Transformational leadership encourages staff empowerment (Roussel & Swansburg, 2009). It is thought that if staff feels empowered then they will work harder by collaborating with each other instead
Additionally, transformational leadership theory looks at leadership differently. It sees a true leader as one who can distil the values, hopes, and needs of followers into a vision, and then encourage and empower followers to pursue that vision. A transactional leader thinks of improvement or development as doing the same thing better: an organization that reaches more people, a company that makes more money. A transformational leader thinks about changing the world, even if only on a small scale (Community Tool box, 2016).
In 1978 Burns (Bass, 2008) defined a transformational leader as a person who raises a followers level of concern to the well being of others, the organization and society. Transformational leaders inspire and motivate
Transformational leadership theory is defined as specific behaviors that are utilized by leaders in their interaction with followers that have a lasting effect (Yukl, 1999). According to Harms and Credé (2010), these behaviors reflect a mentor who motivates the followers to learn, succeed, and develop as individuals. Additionally, they state that the leader cultivates a trusting environment, challenges their followers, displays consideration, charisma and the ability to spark intellectual stimulation (Harms & Credé, 2010; Yukl, 1999).
Transformational Leadership, is grounded on building relationships and motivating staff members through a shared vision and mission. Transformational leaders naturally have charisma to communicate vision, confidence to act in a way that inspires others, staff respect and loyalty from letting the team know they are important, and are masters at helping people do things they weren’t sure they could do by giving encouragement and praise.
Transformational leadership. Burns (1978) is recognized as one of the earliest theorist on transformational leadership, who introduced transformational leadership over 30 years ago. Transformational leaders are perceived as leaders who uplift their employee morale, subsequently uplifting the entire organizational. Transformational leaders are known by their capacity to inspire followers to forgo self-interests in achieving superior results for the organization (Clawson, 2006). Avolio and Yammarino (2002) shared Bass’s explanation of transformational leadership as leaders who act as agents of change that stimulate, and transform followers’ attitudes, beliefs, and motivate from lower to higher level of arousal.
Transformational Leadership can play a role in creating a successful team. It can also be the process that changes and transforms people dealing with emotions, values, ethics, and standards. Transformational Leadership is the process whereby a person engages others and creates a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and the follower (Northhouse , 186). This applies to a team because you always have to be able to connect and motivate others
Transformational leadership is a leadership style that promotes change as well as improves performance in the organization as a whole as well as on the individual employee level (Phaneuf, Boudrias, Rousseau, & Brunelle, 2016). James MacGregor Burns first introduced transformational leadership in his book titled Leadership that he authored in 1978. Burns defined transformational leadership as leadership that stems from one’s core unchanging values and beliefs. Burns believed that transformational leaders not only bring together their followers, but also positively influence their follower’s values and beliefs in a way that brings about positive change (Humphreys & Einstein, 2003).
A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER is a person who stimulates and inspires followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes (Robbins, 2007)It has been shown to influence organisational members by transforming their values and priorities while motivating them to perform beyond their expectations (Rowold, 2007)Increased levels of job satisfaction & reduced turnover intentions are consequences of transformational leadership. It is all about leadership that creates positive change in the followers whereby they take care of each other’s interests and act in the interestsof the groupas a whole (Warrilow, 2012)