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All about transformational leadership

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Leaders play a key role in driving growth and inspiring communities. However, beyond pure management, transformational leadership, characterized by its collaborative nature and its ability to create meaningful change, has become one of the keys to business success. Transformational leaders not only foster development and promote change, but also become drivers of innovation, while guiding their teams towards achieving the company's goals.

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What is transformational leadership?

Transformational leadership is a leadership style that inspires and motivates teams to make positive and significant changes in the company. 

It's based on identifying the strengths, skills, and competencies of each individual and linking them to the overall goals of the organization.


The term transformational leadership was coined in the late 1970s by the American historian and Pulitzer Prize winner James MacGregor Burns. In his book "Transforming Leadership," he proposed the concept of transformational leadership as opposed to transactional leadership, which is based on the exchange of rewards.

Characteristics of transformational leaders

A transformational leader possesses a number of characteristics and competencies:

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Motivation

Conveys enthusiasm and energy to the teams so that they grow and are able to attain the established goals

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Influence

Provides a source of inspiration for employees by promoting positive values

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Stimulation

Supports innovation and stimulates creative thinking, which leads to identifying new opportunities

Personalization

Knows what drives each employee and cares about their personal and professional development

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Delegation

Trusts in the team's abilities and gives them autonomy to carry out tasks

How to become a transformational leader

In order to develop transformational leadership skills and become a leader capable of bringing about positive change, a number of guidelines must be followed:

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  • Involve the team in the company's global objectives so that they perceive them as their own.
  • Motivate teams to go beyond their limits by setting ambitious and realistic goals.
  • Build trusting relationships by showing respect, interest, and concern for people's well-being to make them feel supported and valued. 
  • Foster fluid communication and develop active listening, with an open mind to welcome ideas or suggestions.
  • Recognize the success of the group and attribute achievements to the team when goals are met.
  • Promote training to boost the staff's skills and improve productivity.

Benefits of transformational leaders

A transformational leader in the company brings about multiple benefits, both for the teams and the organization. Some of these benefits are:

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  • Inspiration and motivation: Employees have a leader that supports them in their professional development.
  • Autonomy: Giving employees the freedom to perform tasks autonomously increases performance.
  • Commitment: Fostering the well-being of employees improves their involvement and commitment.
  • Sense of belonging: Promoting corporate identity increases the sense of belonging. Staff feel aligned with the company's values.
  • Productivity: In most cases, the combination of all these benefits results in increased productivity.

Other leadership types

There are different types of leadership, and each one has its own particular approach. However, all of them can contribute positively to the entity's development.

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Female leadership

It's characterized by empathy, collaboration, inclusion, and active listening. Female leaders bring other perspectives to decision-making and problem solving, inspire, empower other women, and contribute to a more equitable environment.

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“Laissez faire” leadership

This French phrase means "to let or allow to do." In laissez faire leadership, the leader adopts a more hands-off, unrestricted approach. The leader trusts the team to make the right decisions and fulfill their responsibilities independently.

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Natural leadership

It has the peculiarity of arising spontaneously. There are work teams that don't have a leadership figure, so someone assumes that role without proposing it. It's an innate capacity of a person rather than an acquired or learned ability.

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Participatory leadership

It encourages active participation in decision-making and problem solving. It promotes collaboration, creativity, and motivation, while giving the opportunity to be heard and contribute opinions and proposals.

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Visionary leadership

It aims to be ahead of its time. It focuses on meeting the needs that may arise in the future to find a solution. These leaders make strategic decisions with the long term in mind, and their motivation, effort, and enthusiasm to achieve their goals are contagious.

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