Different Leadership Styles

‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader,’ (John Quincy Adams). Leadership is the process of influencing people by giving them direction, motivation, and purpose. Different styles of leadership are required at personal, professional, and social levels. Understanding these differing styles of leadership will help define one’s strength and abilities. Although there are many different styles of leadership, I have chosen to discuss transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and strategic leadership. Each style of leadership can be beneficial if used appropriately.

Transformational leadership was founded in 1973 by sociologist James V. Downton. However, the concept of this style of leadership was not introduced until 1978. Transformational leaders identify the needed change within an organization and see it through. They are organized, respected, and look forward to creating new ideas. This style of leadership creates positive change within a system or an organization. One goal of transformative leaders is to create followers who will become leaders. Transformational leaders increase the motivation and performance of their followers by using various tactics. Which include, building rapport, inspiring, showing empathy, and encouraging individuals to reach their own goals within themselves and the organization. Transformational leadership is used in a variety of occupations.

The founder of standard oil and transformational leader, John D. Rockefeller quoted, “Good leadership consist of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.” I believe that his quote sums up what transformational leadership is all about. Transformational leadership style has been compared to transactional leadership for decades. In order to find the different traits and characteristics of these two styles of leadership, researches have done various surveys over the years. However, transactional leadership style is the complete opposite.

Transactional leadership style focuses on supervision, organization, and group performance. In 1947 the concept of transactional leadership was discovered by sociologist, Max Weber. He believed that transactional leaders were individuals who worked with what they had to achieve results. Weber’s theory is that bureaucrats are transactional leaders. They focus on following the rules and regulations within an organization. This type of leader has formal authority and positions individuals as they see fit. Later on, between the late 1970s and early 1980s Benard M. Bass and James Burn advanced Weber’s theories. Burn’s believe that transactional leaders are honest, fair, responsible, and honor their commitments. Transactional leaders do not focus on the growth and change of an organization.

These leaders insist on sticking to the status quo. They also utilize positive and negative reinforcements. Which is using rewards and punishment to get results from their subordinates. This style of leadership believes in “you do for me, I do for you.” To get positive feedback one must do something good and worthy of the organization. Although transactional leaders can be found anywhere from high school athletics to the NFL, they are found to be most suitable for high- level military leaders. It may seem like transactional leaders are tough and hard to please, but they ensure job gets done. They also hold individuals accountable for their actions and are known for achieving short- term goals quickly. Transactional leader Norman Schwarzkopf quoted, “When placed in command, take charge.”

Both transformational leadership and transactional leadership are considered the most “effective” in an organization. However, it is not until you strategize and put them both together to get the most effective leadership style. In which I believe is strategic leadership. Strategic leaders use tactics from both transformational and transactional leadership. Strategic leadership style is the ability to express a strategic vision over an organization and then motivate others to see the same vision. Strategic leaders create an organizational structure. They do what’s best for the organization, but they also do what is best for their followers. One goal for strategic leaders is to help their followers realize their own goals and objectives.

These leaders encourage change and transformation. Although strategic leaders focus on the overall growth of an organization for the future, they also ensure all short- term goals are met. Strategic leaders are able to foresee what is to come and plan for it. Strategic leadership was formed by serval different styles of leadership. These leaders are put in place to better individuals and organizations. Strategic leaders understand the mission, the main goal, and they do what is needed. They are persuasive, motivating, articulate, and compassion. The most important trait a strategic leader should have, is a vision.

These are just three of many leadership styles. Transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and strategic leadership all have different characteristics. Each of these leadership styles play a major yet different role within an organization. Though you are able to be more than one type of leader, what kind of leader are you? Be the leader that everyone wants to follow!