Transformational Leaders Focus on the People and the Task

It was Sacajawea, a Shoshone teenager, who led the Lewis and Clark expedition over its most perilous routes. But you also have to remember that Lewis must have been a great leader also, because he was willing to turn over the leadership and follow a young Indian who seemed to know what she was doing, but whom he had never met before." - Douglass T. Hall

Unlike charismatic leaders, transformational leaders remold an organization not through the force of their own personality but by appealing to their people, gaining their trust and respect. Transformational leaders achieve results by paying close attention to their group or team as they:

articulate a clear and compelling vision

clarify the importance of the vision's outcome

provide a well-defined path to attain the vision

use symbols to realize their vision

act with confidence, optimism, and self-determination

encourage their people to work as a team rather than as individuals to reach the organizations
goals

empower people to make good decisions for the benefit of the whole.

What makes transformational leaders effective is their ability to make their vision a clear, identifiable goal that can guide their team's actions to meet the goal. They trust their people, provide the resources they need, and encourage them to move forward.

ACTION POINT: Empower and encourage your people for the benefit of the whole.