"Transactional vs Transformational Leadership: Which Style Reigns Supreme in Today's Business World?"

Leadership is a critical component of any organization's success. Kennedy Mabuku and other Leadership Scholars defined leadership as the ability of a leader to guide, inspire, and motivate their team members, which sets the foundation for achieving goals and driving progress. Two of the most prominent leadership styles are transactional and transformational leadership. While both styles have their advantages, research suggests that transformational leadership is the most effective approach in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world that is characterised by modern technologies.

In this article, I will explore the differences between transactional and transformational leadership and examine why transformational leadership is considered the superior approach. So, whether you're a business leader, a team member, or just someone interested in understanding the dynamics of leadership, read on to discover the key differences between these two leadership styles and how they can impact the success of your organization.

Leadership can be divided into two main styles: transactional and transformational. Transactional leadership is focused on maintaining the status quo and ensuring that established policies and procedures are followed. The leader sets clear goals and expectations for their team and rewards or punishes them based on their performance. This type of leadership is often seen in bureaucratic organizations, where the focus is on maintaining stability and efficiency.

Transformational leadership, on the other hand, is focused on inspiring and motivating team members to exceed their own expectations and reach their full potential. The leader acts as a role model, encouraging team members to be creative and innovative, and empowering them to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Transformational leaders often create a sense of shared vision and purpose among their team members, which can lead to increased motivation, commitment, and productivity.

While both transactional and transformational leadership styles have their advantages, studies and practices has suggested that transformational leadership is generally more effective. Transformational leaders are able to inspire and motivate their team members to achieve their full potential, which can lead to better performance, higher job satisfaction, and greater employee engagement. Additionally, transformational leaders tend to be more adaptable to change and better equipped to deal with the challenges of leading in a rapidly evolving business environment.

The key to success is for leaders to be able to identify when to use transactional and when to use transformational leadership approach. A balance of both styles can lead to a more effective outcome. As a leader, it's essential to be aware of your leadership style and to continuously strive to develop and improve your leadership skills. Remember, effective leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach, it's the ability to adapt and be flexible in your leadership style. Which style are you?

 Onesmus K Joseph - MBA, MPHIL, ACIS, BAP, 

MPHIL Candidate - GIBS (SA)✋ 

Governance and Corporate Strategy Professional

josephonesmus@yahoo.com