Despite transformational leadership enjoying success and attention as an exceptional
leadership theory, few scholars have investigated a specific link between transformational
leadership theory and team performance. As such, we discuss how transformational leadership
theory can provide a framework in which to investigate a leader’s impact on team performance.
We posit that idealized influence/inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and
individualized consideration could produce intermediate outcomes such as shared vision, team
commitment, an empowered team environment and functional team conflict. In turn, these
intermediate outcomes may positively affect team communication, cohesion and conflict
management. Implications for team development, team training and team structure are presented.
Limitations and future directions are also discussed.