Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/qualities-of-transformational-leaders/5025782/
*This is the first in a two-part series on transformational leadership. The second part, which will run in the March/April issue of Exchange, will focus on implementing transformational leadership in early learning environments.
Since the late 1970s, transformational leadership has been used as a key approach to understanding leadership. Previously, trait approaches, transactional approaches and others were used to explain and understand leadership. Although these leadership approaches have been, and continue to be, used in leadership circles, the transformational approach has become known as a more complete, complex and motivational approach than others, as it appeals to workers’ higher-level needs of love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization, as identified by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (Hackman & Johnson, 2013).
This leadership approach is applicable within early childhood settings and schools, in addition to businesses and other organizations, and is fitting for directors as leaders of centers and schools. In any type of organization, transformational leadership produces better follower outcomes (e.g., higher motivation, higher competency, more self-respect, higher self-efficacy and higher self-fulfillment) and organizational outcomes (e.g., higher teacher motivation, increased child outcomes, higher worker productivity, better work environment, higher collaboration and increased quality production). Thus, for any organization, having ...