Transformational Leadership vs. Transactional Leadership

1. LEADERSHIP
THEORIES
KENDRA LONGBRAKE
ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY

2. WHAT IS TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP?
“Leaders and their followers raise
one another to higher levels of
morality and motivation”
( Mind Tools Content Team, 2018)
Individuals that lead through their actions are
considered transformational leaders.
Transformational leaders make needed
changes and improvements, then they
motivate their team to integrate the new
strategies.
(Spahr, 2015)

3. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
• Clearly communicates goals and expectations to the team
• Demonstrates what is expected of others
• Gives encouragement and support
• Helps others to see the big picture
( Mind Tools Content Team, 2018)

4. WHAT IS TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP?
Individuals focus on results and success are considered transactional leaders. Since
most transactional leaders are in authoritative roles, they must maintain the
performance of individuals and team. Transactional leaders complete reviews
concerning employees’ quality of work. Furthermore, these type of leaders
implement the re-ward and penalty system.
(Spahr, 2016)

5. TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
• Short-term goals
• Implements procedures and policies
• Follows to ensure work is done correctly
• Does not easily accept change
(Spahr, 2016)

6. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRANSFORMATIONAL AND
TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP
TRANSFORMATIONAL TRANSACTIONAL
• Determine what needs to
be changed
• Change the system /
create a new system
• Use previous experiences
to solve new challenges
• Help teammates reach
their maximum potential
• “Selling style”
• Step-by-step instructions
needed
• Change or modify an
existing system
• Use a known pattern to
solve new challenges
• Minimize the teams’
variation
• “Telling style”
(Spahr, 2015)

7. REFERENCES
Mind Tools Content Team. (2018). Transformational leadership: becoming an inspirational
leader. MindTools. Retrieved from
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/transformational-leadership.htm
Spahr, P. (2016). What is transactional leadership? how structure leads to results. St.
Thomas University Online. Retrieved from https://online.stu.edu/transactional-leadership/
Spahr, P. (2015). What is transformational leadership? how new ideas produce impressive
results. St. Thomas University Online. Retrieved from
https://online.stu.edu/transformational-leadership/