Four Leadership Models/Theories

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Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership revolves around the implementation of new ideas, change, flexibility, adaptability, and continuous improvement. Transformational leaders possess the following characteristics: First, the leader has charisma. This characteristic is hard to define because no one really knows it until he experiences it. We can just be contented with defining it as something that inspires people to follow a leader with this characteristic. These leaders are seen as having special gifts or talents that make them able to influence people who are in distress. It is their personality, their skills and their presence that affect those who are in crisis or problem. These leaders can convince these affected members that their special gifts can alleviate their pain or solve their problem. When this happens, the members feel safer and directed and believe that the problem has been 'solved' and these leaders have an impact on their lives so they follow them. However, charisma involves dependency. Second, these leaders have vision. They can create a compelling picture of the future and make people develop commitment and a common goal in which achievement of that goal is a way to feel successful. Third, they can stimulate the intellect of their followers by presenting new ways of looking at the problems that have been there before and were not solved right away. The transformational leader creates a group of followers who follows him because they are inspired by his passion, vision, enthusiasm and energy. These leaders make their members feel an uplifting experience knowing that their leader cares for them and he wants them to succeed by leading the way to transformation and change. Many radical changes have been driven under the leadership of transformational leaders. Many times they trade short-term stability in order to achieve long-term survival. Transformational leaders are aware of the complex system that comprises a chaotic environment and they can respond to it by establishing a shared vision and in a way inspire the organization so that they can learn and evolve as they change and transform together.

Charismatic Leadership

The charismatic leadership's greatest asset is his personality, charm and grace. He believes that these are the only qualities needed to create followers as people tend to follow leaders that they personally admire. For these types of leaders, self-believe is their fundamental need. The charismatic leader does not need any form of external authority or power and believes that he can gather followers through the way he presents himself and the way he treats and handles people. They are good at scanning and reading the environment, picking up the concerns and moods of individuals then hone their words and actions in favor of the ...