Qualities of a Transformative Leadership
Transformative Leadership
In highly turbulent and uncertain business environments, transformative leadership is, by necessity, the new normal. This leadership style may not always be at the forefront, but in today’s workplace, every employee is called upon to embrace change and adopt vastly different ways of conducting business. A transformative leader will guide their teams through the turmoil and emerge stronger.
We have witnessed leaders emerge from all levels of the organization and carry our business community back to a place of growth and optimism. These are the great examples of Transformative Leadership.
Transformative leaders influence the morale, motivation and performance of their teams by connecting employee’s abilities and interests with the mission and goals of the organization. They act as role models, inspiring employees to take greater ownership of their work.
They take the time to understand the strengths and weaknesses of team members, so they can align employees with tasks that optimize their performance.
Through the strength of their vision and personality, transformative leaders are able to inspire people to change expectations, perceptions, and motivations to work toward common goals.
Bernard Bass, Transformational Leadership
One Critical Missing Piece
Forbes Magazine published an interesting article suggesting that one essential skill may be missing from the Bass model for transformative leadership (See image above). The author suggests that “this additional trait, when left out, would be analogous with going into a boxing match with one hand tied behind your back.” The missing trait is . . .
Happiness
Research shows that happy and optimistic leaders are considered more transformative and generally lead better. Further, there is a strong link between transformative leadership, happiness, and financial performance.
How can happiness be applied in leadership?
Adopt an optimistic style: Pragmatic optimism means you are not blind to risks, but you maintain a positive outlook of the future, empowering your team to take action.
Recognize your emotions are contagious: When you show up in a state of calm, joy and enthusiasm, others will be positively influenced by it, and the team will be lifted. Conversely, a serial complainer can quickly drive energy and morale down.
Express gratitude: By regularly expressing gratitude, you become primed to notice more things to be grateful for. Find ways to express and verbalize gratitude by acknowledging your team regularly.
Demonstrate service and empathy: When you offer service, you feel more connected and it builds collegiality. The receiver also experiences a mood boost and is more likely to serve someone else, creating a ripple effect.
Smile more: Smiling boosts your mood and that of those around you. When someone else sees you smile, they generally smile back and experience the same encouraging effects.
To the countless industry leaders, employees, and colleagues who have ushered us through a difficult year with optimism and happiness, despite unprecedented challenges . . .
Forbes article: Transformational Leadership: The One Missing Trait
