Transformational Leadership - Essay Example

 Transformational LeadershipTransformational leadership is that which effects change in individuals and in groups. This is by creating valuable and positive changes in followers with the aim of developing future leaders (Carless, Wearing & Mann, 2000). This is possible through several ways. After a personal assessment of the behavioral manifestations of transformational leadership followed by assessment by a colleague, some variations and observation were made.

Therefore, one has to display good leadership abilities in order to achieve the aims of the firm. This is because the leadership levels are a measure of the achievements delivered. By doing so, one also inspires others to be the leaders of tomorrow in the spirit of transformative leadership. According to Carless et al (2000), the seven behavioral manifestations of transformational leadership can be summarized as charisma and idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration or individualized attention, communication of personal respect, facilitation of creative thinking and installation of faith and pride in followers by the leaders’ ability to overcome obstacles.

An individualized assessment of the seven manifestations by myself, according to the score meter of one to seven, indicated that I scored: five, four, three, four, six four and four respectively giving a numerical average of 4.3. When the assessment was carried out by a colleague, the scores given to me were: five, three, three, four, six, four and four giving a numerical average of 4.1. This indicated a variation of a numerical value of 0.2. According to the score revealed above, I can generally view it as a slightly above average mark as far as my transformational leadership qualities are concerned.

This conclusion is so because there is only a variation of about 0.2 only between my own assessment and that of a workmate colleague. This means that the result is almost an accurate measure of the ability in consideration. To better this mark, there must be a deliberate attempt to improve various aspects of my manifestations to raise the average, in the long run. Interpretations of the results, at an individual level, also reveal a variation among the different behavioral manifestations. Hence, this means that some areas deserve greater attention than others.

The general idea, altogether, would be to improve in all aspects as non-revealed the maximum score.Under conditions of mutual understanding and clear set agendas of whatever firm I am leading, I would carry out various activities to improve my leadership qualities. First, I would improve on charisma and idealized influence. This, I would achieve by behaving admirably at the work place to convince followers to imitate my example. I would do this by having stands and appeals that are appealing to my juniors at a personal level.

Also to be done is entrenching a clear set of values and demonstrating them in every action; hence exhibiting the character of a role model. The trust I would build would be based on a moral and ethical foundation. This improvement would help improve the morale and trust at a follower’s level; hence a general mutual understanding that would improve the efficiency of delivery of the business of the day (Bass, 2006). Another aspect I would improve on is intellectual stimulation. This is the degree to which a leader confronts assumptions, undertakes risks, and solicits ideas (Bass, 2006).

I would translate this into actual behaviors by stimulating creativity among followers and laying a framework on how my juniors connect with me as their leader, organization, each other, and their goal. When they are granted some degree of freedom, the net result would be self-motivation and morale in executing their roles. They will do this as enshrined in the vision of the institution. As a result, there will be an improvement in the chores undertaken at an individual level; hence, the overall output.

Thirdly, I would improve on the aspect of inspirational motivation. This simply means the degree that I articulate my vision should be appealing and inspiring to my juniors (Srivastava, 2007). I would carry this at the work place by challenging my juniors with high standards, communicate to them with optimism about the future goals, and provide meaning for the task that lay ahead. Additionally, it would be pertinent that I employ good communication skills that would help me to articulate vision with precision and power in a compelling and persuasive way.

This would result into a strong sense of purpose and motivation among the followers; hence, a positive net outcome of the intended mission.Another aspect I would look at is that of individualized consideration to all my followers. I would increase vigor and act as a mentor to the followers coupled by listening to their concerns and needs. Making each member feel celebrated and respected would be my endeavor at the workplace. This would make them feel as part of the team. The result of this is to create a feeling of self-worth and naturally propelling them to greater heights of growth and achievement.

This intended move will also result into nurturing the next generation of leaders for the purposes of continuity. By making my juniors feel motivated, at an individual level, the performance of the institution will improve. Furthermore, the scores will improve since the success will be attributed to good leadership (Srivastava, 2007). I would also communicate self-respect to all followers. By doing so, the followers will respect themselves, as well as the mandate they are charged with. This is because they will always have a sense of guilt whenever they are about to do wrong.

This would enhance self-drive and motivation, as well as mend any loopholes that would arise because of insincerity and cases of vandalism, for example. Self- respect also enhances the spirit of good will, and this translates to better work rates. For example, leadership is in firms with the mandate of such as in the manufacturing sector. The overall achievement of this is increased production. The latter will be lauded to the leadership abilities; therefore, increasing the leader’s self-valuation of the score card, as well as the assessment done by others.

I would also improve on facilitation of self-thinking by taking and incorporating ideas of my juniors. Listening to my juniors’ innovations, as well as making an effort of deliberating on them, will convince them that they are not taken for granted. As a result, they will invest most of their time trying to think of better ways of improving the firms’ affairs. Also, self-thinking would be driven by incentives to persons who deliver a well thought idea about improvement and efficiency increment of the firm.

Here, the result will be motivation of all followers as they endeavor to gain these incentives. On the other hand, the firm would also benefit because, by adopting the ideas, the efficiency will surge and the achievement will be seen as that arising from the leadership ability of the person heading the institution. This will consequently lead to the improvement of my score cards regardless of who conduct the assessment them (Bass, 2006). I would also, as a way of improving my leadership abilities which are of course is measured by the achievements and gains made, install pride and faith to my followers.

This is by being able to overcome a majority of obstacles that would arise my way. By so doing, the followers will have belief in their leader, and this will act as a motivational factor. This is because the argument would be if he did overcome such a situation why not us? This increased faith in leadership qualities will mentor many others in the spirit of transformative leadership. By creating such an environment where you are being envied, you not only nature future leaders but in a way motivate them to work even harder.

The net effect of this motivation is increased output and the leadership abilities appraisal of the leader in consideration. In conclusion, transformational leadership brings into consideration two things: how one is able to lead and how well he is able to nurture future leaders. In order to achieve these two objectives, one has to perfect all aspects of transformative leadership. This is while taking care of personal achievements, at an equal measure. One, therefore, should create an enabling environment to serve both purposes.

ReferencesBass, M, B. (2006) Transformational Leadership. Mahwan: Erbaum Associates.Carless, S. A., Wearing, A. J., & Mann, L. (2000). A short measure of Transformational leadership. Journal of Business and Psychology, 14, 389-405.Srivastava, M, K. (2007) Transformational Leadership. New Delhi. Macmillan India.