Ask anyone what they think of when they hear the word “leader” and you will likely get an answer that widely differs from the next. The fact is there is no “one size fits all” definition of leadership anymore than there is for the word management. The most basic definition of a leader is someone who commands or leads an organization. Yet when I think of the word “leader”, my interpretation goes far beyond simply commanding others. To me and a rising demographic of Millennials and Cultural Creatives, real leadership involves more essential qualities such as the ability to inspire and to exude passion, intelligence and charisma. In fact, many of the traits we identify with being a leader are ones that encompass the ability to motivate and transform us. So what exactly is this style of leadership? Enter the era of Transformational Leadership. Originally introduced by James MacGregor Burns in 1978, transformational leaders are able to inspire followers to change expectations, perceptions, and motivations to work towards common goals. In fact, a Transformational Leader is defined as someone who brings about valuable and positive transformation in individuals, organizations, and social systems. They empower and develop the people they lead to become leaders themselves, and challenge them to bring out their best and take greater ownership of their work. Why is this important? “The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them.” — John C Maxwell So how does one go from being an ordinary “command-style” leader to a Transformational Leader? We’ve identified 4 Essential Steps to Becoming a Transformational Leader:

1. Text
4 Essential Steps to Becoming
a Transformational Leader
By Dr. Theresa Bullard

2. Ask anyone what
they think of when
they hear the word
“leader” and you will
likely get an answer
that widely differs
from the next.

3. Text
The fact is there is no “one size fits all”
definition of leadership anymore than
there is for the word management.

4. Text
The most basic definition of a leader is
someone who commands or leads an
organization.

5. Text
Yet when I think of the word “leader”, my
interpretation goes far beyond simply
commanding others.

6. Text
To me and a rising demographic of Millennials and
Cultural Creatives, real leadership involves more
essential qualities such as the ability to inspire and
to exude passion, intelligence and charisma.

7. Text
In fact, many of the traits we identify with
being a leader are ones that encompass
the ability to motivate and transform us.

8. So what exactly is this style
of leadership?

9. Text
Enter the era of
Transformational Leadership.

10. Text
Originally introduced by James MacGregor Burns
in 1978, transformational leaders are able to inspire
followers to change expectations, perceptions, and
motivations to work towards common goals.

11. Text
In fact, a Transformational Leader is defined as
someone who brings about valuable and
positive transformation in individuals,
organizations, and social systems.

12. Text
They empower and develop the people they
lead to become leaders themselves, and
challenge them to bring out their best and
take greater ownership of their work.

13. Why is this important?

14. “The single biggest way to
impact an organization is
to focus on leadership
development. There is
almost no limit to the
potential of an
organization that recruits
good people, raises them
up as leaders and
continually develops
them.” — John C Maxwell

15. So how does one go from being
an ordinary “command-style”
leader to a Transformational
Leader?

16. We’ve identified 4 Essential
Steps to Becoming a
Transformational Leader:

17. #1 Inspire
Fundamental to
becoming a
Transformational
Leader is the ability
to inspire others.

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People look to leaders as inspirational
role models, encouraging them to be
the best they can possibly be.

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Embodying the quality of inspiration, refers
to a leader that is committed to enhancing
motivation, morale, interest and
performance in the people they lead.

20. So how does one inspire
those that they lead?

21. Text
Express your ideas with passion.
Communicate with integrity. Lead by
example. Articulate your vision clearly.

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Exude confidence in your teams’ abilities. Most
importantly, help those you lead to experience
motivation toward a collective vision or goal.

23. #2: Awaken
As Henry Kissinger once
said, “The task of the
leader is to get his people
from where they are to
where they have not
been.” An essential step
to becoming a
Transformational Leader is
the ability to awaken others
to new possibilities and
extraordinary outcomes.

24. Authors Bass and Riggio describe
Transformational Leaders as “those
who stimulate and inspire followers to
both achieve extraordinary outcomes
and in the process, develop their own
leadership capacity.”

25. So how does one awaken
possibility in the people they lead?

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Practice authentic presence. Act with
integrity. Communicate a clear and
uplifting vision.

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Finally, show compassion, expertise and
a commitment to a higher purpose in all
that you do.

28. #3: Connect
Recognizing that the
people you lead must
feel connected to the
vision and purpose of
what you are collectively
creating is another
essential step to
becoming a
transformational leader.

29. Authors Bass and Riggio describe
transformational leaders as, “those who
help followers grow and develop into
leaders by responding to individual
followers’ needs, by empowering them,
and by aligning the objectives and goals
of the individual followers, the leader, the
group, and the larger organization.”

30. So how does a leader embody
the quality of connection?

31. Text
By inspiring a sense of self-identity and
culture in the people they lead with
those of the collective and its mission.

32. #4: Identify &
Optimize
The final essential step to
becoming a
Transformational Leader
begins with cultivating the
ability to identify the
strengths and weaknesses
of the people they lead.

33. Why is this important?

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Once a leader defines team members’
strengths and weaknesses they can then be
aligned with organizational strategies for
optimizing an individual’s performance.

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A Transformational Leader
understands the importance of helping
others to achieve their potential.

36. To do so, you must first
recognize the potential
within those you lead
by observing them,
getting to know who
they are, what they are
passionate about, and
where they excel and
‘light up’ with focus
and enthusiasm.

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In addition, given that no one is perfect, nor should
perfection be expected, it is also essential to be aware
of each person’s liabilities and then work together to
find creative ways to redirect and steer clear of pitfalls.

38. Optimizing requires
teamwork and
taking a vested
interest in seeing
each member of
your team, and the
team as a whole,
thrive and grow.

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Once the strengths and weaknesses are
identified, a transformational leader helps to guide
those they lead to also see where they can
become great when they develop their potential.

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Invest in the development of your
team and their ability to become
leaders in their own right.

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Finally, strive for steady progress rather than
perfection. Instead of using old paradigm motivators
such as fear, coersion, guilt, control, etc. find
positive and empowering approaches to motivate.

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Identify ways to measure and reward
progress. Celebrate victories together,
even the small ones.

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Acknowledge, encourage, and empower
with constructive and positive feedback.

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This further inspires, awakens, and connects your
people to strive to the next level and push their
own progression, so that the cycle of
improvement will continue onwards and upwards.

45. Ready to learn how to develop
yourself as a Leader? Check
out our FREE Webinar.
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