Bass (in Bryman, 1992) developed the notion of transformation leadership, which many managers find meaningful and helpful. He distinguished between transactional leadership and transformational leadership (see box), and identified through extensive research that charismatic and inspirational leadership were the components most likely to be associated with leadership success.
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Transformational leadership involves the leader raising the followers’ sense of purpose and levels of motivation. The aims of the leader and the followers combine into one purpose, and the leader raises the followers’ confidence and expectations of themselves. Transformational leadership comprises:
- charisma;
- inspiration;
- intellectual stimulation;
- individualized consideration.
Transactional leadership is simply an exchange in which the leaders hands over rewards when followers meet expectations.
- contingent reward;
- management by exception.