LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF ... - Drake University

ealization of self interests and the greater good of the organization and
society.
Transformational LeadershipTheory
Transformational leadership differentiates itself from previous
theories in its focus on alignment to a greater good. It seeks to engage
the follower in activities out of a sense of commitment to self, organization,
and a process that will lead to some greater social outcome.
Transformational leaders elevate the morality and motivation of both the
leader and the follower (MacGregor Burns, 2003).
While transactional leadership is said to be a reciprocal exchange,
it is believed that transformational leaders "engage in interactions with
followers based on common values, beliefs and goals" (MacGregor Burns,
2003 p. 25). This encourages extraordinary performance which results in
goal attainment. Transformational leaders experience relationships with
others as mutually elevating and beneficial. Bass suggested that the
transformational leader "attempts to induce followers to reorder their
needs by transcending self interests and strive for higher order needs"
(MacGregor Burns, 2003, p.134). These appear to be the same higher
order needs that Maslow (1954) addressed when he posited that people
are motivated by higher order needs after lower order needs are satisfied.
Transformational leadership is a process that changes and
transforms individuals, organizations, and cultures. The transformational
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