2. Inspirational Motivation These behaviors have to do with the leader’s efforts to inspire and motivate his/her followers to tackle ambitious goals and to raise followers’ self-confidence about their ability to achieve these seemingly impossible goals. Inspirational motivation has to do with the leader’s ability to develop an attractive vision of the future, use symbols and emotional arguments to gain followers’ acceptance of and commitment to the vision, and engender faith and optimism among followers that the vision can be achieved. Leaders who demonstrate inspirational motivation according to Bass “…articulate an appealing vision of the future, challenge followers with high standards, talk optimistically with enthusiasm, and provide encouragement nd meaning for what needs to be done.”6 Followers use the following types of statements to describe leaders who exhibit inspirational motivation.
3. Individualized Consideration Individualized consideration refers to efforts on the part of a leader to provide emotional and social support to his/her followers and to develop and empower them through coaching and counseling. Burns says leaders who exhibit individualized consideration “deal with others as individuals; consider their individual needs, abilities, and aspirations; listen attentively; further their development; advise; teach; and coach.”7 They delegate responsibility, empower people, support their subordinates, and are responsive to individual needs. They listen, communicate and encourage. Followers use the following types of statements to describe leaders who exhibit individualized consideration:
4. Intellectual Stimulation These behaviors refer to the leader’s efforts to challenge followers intellectually, to encourage them to question their assumptions and the status quo and to seek innovative and creative solutions to problems. According to Bass, leaders who demonstrate intellectual stimulation “question assumptions, traditions, and beliefs; stimulate in others new perspectives and ways of doing things; and encourage the expression of ideas and reasons.”8 Followers describe leaders who are exhibiting intellectual stimulation in the following ways:
Transformational Leadership Behaviors
According to Burns,”the [transformational] leader recognizes and exploits an existing need or demand of a potential follower…[The transformational] leader looks for potential motives in followers, seeks to satisfy higher needs, and engages the full person of the follower. The result of [transformational leadership] is a relationship of mutual stimulation and elevation that converts followers into leaders and may convert leaders into moral agents.”3 Bass identifies four components of transformational leadership as follows:
1. Idealized Influence/Charisma4 These behaviors have to do with shaping the followers’ perceptions of their leader’s power, confidence and ideals. Leaders who demonstrate idealized influence/charisma according to Bass “display conviction, emphasize trust, take stands on difficult issues, present their most important values, emphasize the importance of purpose, commitment, and the ethical consequences of decisions. Such leaders are admired as role models generating pride, loyalty, confidence, and alignment around a shared purpose.”5 They make sacrifices for the benefit of the group, remain calm in crises, display competence and set a personal example for others to follow; consequently they are held in high regard. Followers tend to describe leaders who are exhibiting idealized influence/charisma in the following manner:
Leaders must develop and articulate a clear and compelling vision of the future. Leaders must generate enthusiasm for their vision and optimism that it can be achieved. Individual Consideration—Leaders must be considerate of their followers Leaders must deal with people as individuals with unique needs, abilities, and aspirations. Leaders must coach, advise and teach their followers.
Intellectual Stimulation—Leaders must be intellectually stimulating
Leaders must question assumptions and the status quo. Leaders must seek innovative and creative solutions to old problems and encourage leadersr followers to do the same. Leaders must create excitement for finding new perspectives and new ways of doing things.
Contingent Reward—Leaders must reward accomplishment
Leaders must make their expectations clear and reward performance. Followers must know where they stand with their leader and that they will be rewarded if they meet or exceed their leader's expectations.
Bernard Bass says he read James McGregor Burns’ book Leadership in 1979 and immediately “was hooked.”1 Burns argued that regardless of traits, behaviors or situations, leadership at the most fundamental level is about an exchange in which both leaders and followers get something they want and need. He identified two types of leadership--transactional and transforming. Transactional leadership i