Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is thought to be a process whereby the leader
encourages support and change through a shared vision (Kest, 2006). By motivating,
building trust, and creating positive relationships, followers develop confidence in their
leader. Burns has been considered to be the founder of modern leadership theory
(Marzano et al., 2005). Burns believed leaders gained support through their goals and
actions. Others viewed their behaviors and/or beliefs as motivational, thus resulting in
followers. This style of leadership is known as transformational leadership. According to
Burns (1978, p. 4), transformational leaders form “a relationship of mutual stimulation
and elevation that converts followers into leaders and may convert leaders into moral
agents.”