Leadership Critique

Module Title:

MGMT-0000108,Learning and Leading in a Dynamic Era.201560-

Individual Assignment: Leadership Critique

Student ID: 2633397

Contents

Introduction        

Transformational Leadership        

Criticism of Transformational Leadership        

Transactional Leadership        

Criticism of Transactional Leadership        

Summary and Conclusion        

Differences between Transactional and Transformational Leadership        

Transformational leadership in my current role        

Bibliography        

Introduction

Many studies have been conducted on leadership theories/styles, but no single approach is appropriate for all situations across different organisational cultures.

In this paper, I shall examine the Transformational and Transactional Leadership theories.

Transformational leaders model charisma and shared vision with their subordinates, encouraging subordinates to produce high quality work. Transactional leadership can be described as a reward and punish working relationship between leader and subordinate which are established through exchange, such as rewards and managing by exception.

Transformational Leadership

Transformational Leadership concept was first identified by Burns in 1978. Transformational Leadership deals with self-reflection and development of followers to reach their maximum potentials (Burns,1978). According to Bass transformational leadership “occurs when leaders broaden and elevate the interests of their employees, when they generate awareness and acceptance of the purposes and mission of the group, and when they stir employees to look beyond their own self-interest for the good of the group” (Bass,1990: 21). 

Transformational leaders can be characterised by for components. These four factors of the 4Is of transformational leadership are:

-         idealized influence - building confidence and trust

-         inspirational motivation - leader charisma motivates and inspires individuals/groups/ organisation

-        intellectual stimulation - encourages followers to be innovative and creative

-         individualized consideration - dealing with individual needs in order to include them in the transformational process   (Avolio, Waldman & Yammarino, 1991).