Leadership Theory Vs Transactional Leadership

Great Essays
Leadership Theories
Starting from the early 1900s, researchers have used numerous theoretical approaches to explain leadership which includes trait, behavioral and situational approaches. Concept derived from these lines of leadership can be found in present day theories of transformational leadership, which encompass leader traits, behavior and situational variables.
Trait-based theories represented the earliest attempts to quantitatively study leaders and leadership effectiveness by focusing on the innate skills and traits of the person. Situational theories expanded to explore the influence of different situations on leadership. Transformational leadership theories further expanded on the role of the leader in motivating followers through inspiration. The models strength and weakness
…show more content…
Summary of key differences and similarities
Similarities exist between task-oriented leadership and transactional leadership. Both focus on the exchange between leaders and followers and both emphasize work products or outcomes.
Relation-oriented leadership compares to transformational, authentic leadership, and servant leadership (Bass, 2008). Relation-oriented leadership is people focused, inspirational, persuasive, and intellectually stimulating (Bass, 2008). Both situational leadership theory and transactional leadership focus on leadership behaviors to the exclusion of leadership traits or individual differences, while transformational looks at leadership behaviors and individual differences.
Transactional and transformational theories involve universal approaches to leadership.
Transformational applies to a wide range of situations and contexts and evidence suggests transformational fits a variety of diverse cultural contexts (Grint, 2011). In contrast, situational leadership theories and contingent leadership approaches advocate for the right leadership style and behaviors for the context and situation faced by the organization (Grint, 2011).
6 |

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Additionally, he felt that transactional leadership was more common in organizations than transformational leadership (Judge, 2004). Tracing the origins of the charismatic leadership theory links the development of transactional leadership and transformational leadership together (Bono & Judge, 2004; de Vries, 2008). Zaleznik’s (1977) research similarly explored the differences between transactional and transformational styles. He found that leaders developed goals for their followers first by assessing the followers’ needs. Secondly, leaders determined feasible, realistic, and achievable goals (Zaleznik, 1977).…

    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    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…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    There will never be a set definition on what a leader is. Hundreds of leadership theories have been made, but a leader comes in all shapes and sizes. A couple of these these theories is Transformational and Transactional Leadership. These two styles of leadership are often coupled together, yet they could not be more different. Learning from these two styles, one can come up with their own personal philosophy of leadership.…

    • 207 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Transformational leadership was advanced by Bass (1985) as an allowance of a foregoing study’s difference between transactional and transformational approaches of leadership. Transformational leaders have been labeled as those who modify the way that their followers think about themselves such that feelings of commitment and participation are enhanced (Shamiret al., 1993). There has been about argument in the literature about the discriminant legitimacy of numerous of the transformational leadership extents, but a model with eight dimensions is commonly used (Judge and Piccolo, 2004) Multiple systems have been used to certify the eight-factor approach to transformational leadership, including factor analysis, observation, interviews, and follower…

    • 278 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Transformational leadership is not an alternative to transactional leadership, but it augments leadership to a “Full Range of Leadership” model (Bass 1988; Bass & Avolio 1997; Spinelli 2006). Responsible and appropriate leadership is critical to the success of any industry. Leadership in the healthcare environment today is essential and mandated if our healthcare system is to survive (Spinelli 2006). Hutchinson and Jackson (2013) discuss the transactional leaders achieve performance by rewards and punishment. According to Transformational model “Transformational leaders motivate other to do more than they originally intended and often more than they thought possible” (Bass and Avolio, 1994).…

    • 1311 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Task Behavior Analysis

    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Throughout the years the need for more effective leadership within organizations and society has become the focal point for businesses. Many organizations either offer their own leadership development programs of they hire outside help to come in and train their leaders on the lasts practices. For organizations like Wal-Mart and banks this is a consistent focal point where they continue to train their leaders to adapt the every so changing society. However, this can also apply to our education systems where the president of the school needs to ensure the success of the university and leaders the staff to ensure students are receiving the proper education that is not only current or up to date but is relatable to what they will face once they…

    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The medical providers provide care utilizing the most current evidence and guidelines in order to provide quality care. Medical providers are able to collaborate with each other during the visits in order to provide an individualized care plan. Wellbeing accepts cash, credit cards, and most major commercial insurance plans. The major payer for this organization is commercial insurance plans. Wellbeing Health Clinic has also established contracts with major insurance companies, Medicare, and some Medicaid plans.…

    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Transactional Leader/Follower Exchange Low-level managers are usually transactional leaders that operate the business entity (Kotter, 2013). They are the face of the business and execute the operational aspects of the organization on a day to day basis by following the strategic business plan for success which includes enforcing rules and policies and meeting goals and objectives devised by executives (Bisel, Messersmith, & Kelley, 2012; Kotter, 2013). Transactional leadership is grounded in processes (Hoyt, & Blascovich, 2003; Ruggieri, 2009; Northouse, 2012). Process driven transactional leaders reward followers based on how well they execute processes or obey rules, adhere to policies and achieve individual and collective…

    • 1590 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    I do not always make sure things flow smoothly. Transactional leaders are concerned with everything flowing smoothly. I am not always consistent with this theory. I can at times work in a very chaotic way or will allow things to throw me off course. I have a twice-yearly project that I oversee.…

    • 558 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Being that leaders are consistently requesting tasks and performance out of their subordinates, this constitutes transactional leadership qualities. Transformational leaders can exhibit qualities of a transactional leader in the fact they require things of their team members through the following tactics: 1.) Individual consideration: The leader approaches each team member as an individual as opposed to approaching every team member uniformly. This results in enhanced job performance and success and greater organizational…

    • 1017 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Conclusion Transformational and transactional leadership theories are not mutually exclusive, and some combination of both may enhance effective leadership in an organization. An organization that had only transformational leaders would certainly have the vision to change and innovate, but would not have the capacity to do so because of absence of transactional agreements between managers and employees (Borkowski,…

    • 1026 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Transactional leaders drive workers to meet performance objectives, and emphasize extrinsic rewards (McClefsky, 2013). Which is better? Both leadership theories are similar in that the organization still has to meet objectives, accomplish goals and produce outcomes to stay operational. Great leaders must know which behaviors to exhibit within the organization as most organizations operate on a continuum and will have peaks and valleys.…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Leadership Theories Leadership is an important part of how an organization will function. The right leader will have followers that will work with the leader to achieve the organizations desired goals by using different leadership theories. This paper will explain the concepts of behavioral theory within my organization as well as the traits and characteristics of an effective leader. Behavioral theories of leadership are based upon the belief that great leaders are made not born.…

    • 1514 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Leadership is a relationship between the leader and those who choose to follow, (Kouzes & Posner, 2011). Accomplished leaders are flexible, determined and most of all driven by the self satisfaction of the people following them. Transformational leaders employ behavior that empowers followers and increases their motivation (Masi & Cooke, 2000). The purpose of this literature review is to explore the impact of the transformational leadership style on organizational outcomes and the personal outcomes of the follower.…

    • 795 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Transactional and Transformational Leaders Leadership is defined as the process of social influence, in which an individual can procure or seek the support or aid of others people in the accomplishment of a common goal (Tannenbaum, Weschler & Massarik, 2013). It is the character of influencing the behaviors of individuals, to attain a given objective. A leader is that person with the ability to guide, inspire, and associate with others to achieve their dream goals. Management experts and researchers have propounded various leadership theories, namely, transactional, trait, laissez-faire, transformational, and democratic. (Tannenbaum, Weschler & Massarik, 2013).…

    • 1279 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays