Compare And Contrast Transactional Versus Transformational Leadership

I think everyone would agree that, a principal is the most significant component of a successful school. Having good leadership skills are vital in order to shape the school’s culture and vision of academic success for all students. There is a correlation between the school’s success and the principal leadership style. Two influential leadership styles in education are transactional and transformational leadership. It’s a never ending debate, for which of the two leadership styles is better.
Transactional leadership runs under the premise where the actions of the staff result in either a reward or a punishment. The reward or punishment is contingent upon performance. On the other hand, there’s transformational leadership, according to James MacGregor Burns, Transformational leadership is a process in which "leaders and followers make each other advance to a higher level of morality and motivation". Transformational leadership connects the follower's sense of identity and self to the project and the collective identity of the organization; being a role model for …show more content…
I would spend the first year observing and gathering data. I would begin building relationships between the staff, students, and myself. In reality, I think throughout the day to day grind I may need to be charismatic, innovative, authoritative, transactional, transformative, (among many others) depending upon the situation, and the people involved and the task at hand. I think it is important for me to build capabilities in a variety of leadership styles.
There is not a leadership style which is best suited in all circumstances. I do not think a leader should rely on a single leadership style. I think the leadership style used should be determined per its needs and prevalent conditions. Transactional and transformational leadership, both have its pros and cons. It depends on the situation which leadership style will be most