Transformational leadership is the heart and soul of any successful business. By being prospective and taking an inspirational and positive approach, these leaders are often considered role models for attitudes and ethical behavior for the group.

Transformational Leadership Traits

The four elements of transformational leadership, according to Dr. Ronald Riggio, can have a huge impact on the success and productivity of your team. Does your corporation’s transformational leadership adopt all of these principles?

1. Individualized Consideration: the degree to which the leader attends to each follower’s needs, acts as a mentor or coach to the follower, and listens to the follower’s concerns and needs. The leader gives empathy and support, keeps communication open and places challenges before the followers. This also encompasses the need for respect and celebrates the individual contribution that each follower can make to the team. The followers have a will and aspirations for self- development and have intrinsic motivation for their tasks.
2. Intellectual Stimulation: the degree to which the leader challenges assumptions, takes risks, and solicits followers’ ideas. Leaders with this style stimulate and encourage creativity in their followers. They nurture and develop people who think independently. For such a leader, learning is a value and unexpected situations are seen as opportunities to learn. The followers ask questions, think deeply about things, and figure out better ways to execute their tasks.
3. Inspirational Motivation: the ways in which the leader articulates a vision that is appealing and inspiring to followers. Leaders with inspirational motivation challenge followers with high standards, communicate optimism about future goals, and provide meaning for the task at hand. Followers need to have a strong sense of purpose if they are to be motivated to act. Purpose and meaning provide the energy that drives a group forward. The visionary aspects of leadership are supported by communication skills that make the vision understandable, precise, powerful, and engaging. The followers are willing to invest more effort in their tasks; they are encouraged and optimistic about the future and believe in their abilities.
4. Idealized Influence: the way in which the leader acts as role model for high ethical behavior, instills pride, and gains respect and trust.

Leaders with the most impact are those who can build and successfully manage great teams. Every day, we help our clients and colleagues achieve their highest levels of professional presence and personal effectiveness. That includes everyone on the ladder, from company presidents to project managers to staff members. Contact us at 800-282-3374 to find out how we can help you impact your own productivity and the productivity of your entire organization.

Employee Development Systems delivers results-oriented training programs that increase productivity, effectiveness, & performance.

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