I deem it crucial that you be enlightened with the concept of transformational leadership, and with such intricate understanding; you can provide answers to my apparent probe posed to you as seen in the title above.
According to James MacGregor Burns, transformational leadership can be seen when “leaders and followers make each other advance to a higher level of morality and motivation.” Through the strength of their vision and personality, transformational leaders are able to inspire followers to change expectations, perceptions, and motivations to work towards common goals.
Have you ever provided help to your colleague at school who perhaps is one of your followers to develop their own leadership potential? If you haven’t, then you should!
Sometimes, we are quick to assume that transformational leadership is about transforming the schools within which we are domiciled whereas the students in the schools are also supposed to be the product of our transformation.
You should take a cue from Nelson Mandela, Mandela who according to Wikipedia lived from 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013 and was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalised racism and fostering racial reconciliation. Ideologically an African nationalist and democratic socialist, he served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.
Mandela was a controversial figure for much of his life. Although critics on the right denounced him as a communist terrorist and those on the radical left deemed him too eager to negotiate and reconcile with apartheid’s supporters, he gained international acclaim for his activism. He received more than 250 honours, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Soviet Lenin Peace Prize. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, or as Tata (“Father”), and described as the “Father of the Nation”. Nelson Mandela used transformational leadership principles while working to abolish apartheid and enforce change in South Africa.
Transformational Leaders like Nelson tend to see the big picture; they have done so much to make the world a better place for you and me. Can you imagine Africa still plagued with the menace of racism? We enjoy the privilege of a society that embraces Multiculturalism, & multi-racialism. Thanks to Mandela’s transformational efforts.
I like you to evaluate yourself, see if you have transformational leadership qualities, ask yourself these questions and provide sincere answers.
- My followers would say that they know what I stand for.
- Inspiring others has always come easy to me.
- My followers have told me that my enthusiasm and positive energy are infectious.
- My followers would say that I am very attentive to their needs and concerns.
