Transformational Leadership In Transactional Times
Written by: Santarvis Brown, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Sometimes being the best leader isn’t only about meeting performance goals. Believe me, I know from experience. Leaders who inspire their employees and give them something to believe in beyond a paycheck create organizations that are stronger and more productive. Transformational leadership focuses on building a work culture based on long-term achievement rather than solely short-term gains, even if the latter plays a role in the organization, too.
Are you a transformational leader, or are you another cog in the wheel of transnationalism?
What is transformational leadership?
Transformational leadership is a well-studied leadership style revolving around leadership that, as the name suggests, transforms. Instead of focusing solely on performance-driven recognition that rewards meeting goals and productivity objectives, Transformational leaders do more than keep the office running smoothly or refine business operations. Leaders like this inspire the people around them and serve more as visionaries than traditional supervisors.
One of the biggest advantages of transformational leadership is the loyalty and excitement it kindles. Instead of viewing work as a necessary evil and counting the minutes until the end of the day, employees with transformational leaders are more likely to be excited about what they do. Because they see the bigger picture that their work supports, workers are more willing to go above and beyond, too, which ultimately leads to company growth and, hopefully, increased profits that benefit everyone around them.
Transformational leadership in transactional times
Today’s society is an increasingly transactional one. People are focused on gaining a benefit for performing an action, with relatively less attention paid to doing something simply because it needs to be done. People take notes and keep score of the tasks that have been completed and those which have not yet been met. Whatever it takes to be at the top of the “food chain” is considered worth it.
What does this mean for modern businesses? Many industries have always been a bit transactional, with some organizations prioritizing purely deadline or performance-driven work, but the trend is increasing across the board. The result is leadership that feels more focused on short-term goals rather than long-term wellness. A successful business isn’t always a healthy business, and eventually the cost of high-pressure, thankless work takes a toll in terms of turnover and lost talent investment.
Transformational leadership is more important today than at any point in recent history. As a transformational leader, you can provide your employees with something more to achieve than completing the next project. Providing vision and creating a corporate culture that emphasizes long-term growth over short-term gains can have an incredible impact not just on your business, but also on the people who work within it. Remember that loyal employees are hard-working employees, and your leadership style can be the difference between a united workforce and fractured teams with little love for the industry.
Contemporary society grows more and more transactional in some ways every year, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Give your employees something to care about.
Santarvis Brown, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Santarvis Brown has spent 15+ years serving as a leader, innovator, and changemaker in education, showcasing in-depth insight as an administrator, educator, and program director. A noted speaker, researcher, and full professor, he has lent his speaking talent to many community and educational forums, serving as a keynote speaker. He has also penned several publications tackling issues in civic service, faith, leadership, and education.
