From the past, we move into the present and what our vision of leadership looks like for the future. Modern thinking of leadership is a process that takes time to fully develop. Luckily, there are a variety of scholars who have already thought about leadership in the context of our society in this day an age.
James MacGregor Burns, in his book Leadership, reflects on the concept of transactional and transforming leadership. According to MacGregor, transactional leadership “occurs when one person takes the initiative in making contact with others for the purpose of an exchange of valued things” (Wren, p. 101). An exchange could be anything from currency for a product or a person’s hospitality in exchange for listening to each other’s problems. This can bind a leader and a follower together for a greater purpose. There is a reciprocal relationship occurring where both parties give and take. In contrast, MacGregor mentions transforming leadership that “occurs when one or more persons engage with others in such a way that leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality” (Wren, p. 101). A leader and a follower challenge each other to become better versions of themselves. Their purpose becomes one and they are looking towards the same end goal. Transforming leadership is more than reaching an end goal, it’s also calls for the persons involved to raise each other to higher levels of human demeanor, ethically and morally. That is the transformative aspect. This type of leadership becomes dynamic in a sense where both parties are motivated to be the best they can be.
Richard A. Couto writes about the transformation of transforming leadership. He focuses on Burns’ concept of transforming leadership, but also notes another scholar, Bernard M. Bass who brings to light the idea of the transformation of transforming leadership. Bass refers to transformational leaders transforming their followers. Sure the concept seems fine and lovely, but what does it mean for us in practical terms? A transforming leader will increase the confidence, self-interest, and motivation of the follower. They will motivate a follower to perform beyond their own expectations. Bass found that this form of leadership increases an organization’s effectiveness and influence they have on their surroundings. The Biblical Abraham is a classical example of a transforming leader. According to Mitchell Langbert’s article, Abraham as a Transformational Leader, Langbert’s states that Abraham possessed many key components that qualified him as a transformational leader. One that stood out to me is, “Abraham cared about people and had a strong sense of justice” (Langbert). Abraham wanted God’s people to succeed and believed in his people. He bargained with God to save Sodom and Gomorra from destruction, which exemplified his great love for people.
I believe that a transformational leader can be found in many types of people. Everyone has the opportunity to be transformative in their leadership and even their daily lives. The first step is that you need to believe you can transform many lives with just by caring for an individual. With that, you can become a transformative leader who can help other people tap into their leadership potential.
Langbert, Mitchell. “Abraham as a Transformational Leader.” Abraham as a Transformational Leader. N.p., 2000. Web. 01 Oct. 2013.<http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/economic/friedman/Abraham-GreatTransformLeader.htm>.
Wren, J. Thomas. (1995). The Leader’s Companion–Insights on Leaders Through the Ages. Free Press. Chp. 9-17, p. 81–126.
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