Leadership is critical to any group’s health because of its impact on the organization’s goals and performance.
There are many options in the realm of leadership, each with pros and cons. Transformative leadership is frequently cited as a model for effective management.
Leaders in this model direct and coordinate their subordinates’ activities and motivate them to envision and work toward a better future.
Leaders with transformational characteristics inspire and encourage their people because of their charm and vision. We will discuss the pros and cons of revolutionary leadership in this article.
Transformational Leadership Advantages And Disadvantages
Disadvantages of Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is a leadership style that focuses on inspiring and encouraging followers to reach more significant objectives and accomplishments.
This strategy offers various benefits, including enhanced employee involvement, higher work satisfaction, and creativity and innovation. So, let’s have a look at some of them.
Increases motivation and productivity
Among the many benefits of innovative leadership is a rise in partner drive and output. This is because influential revolutionary leaders can motivate their people to take action toward their goals for the future.
They demand a lot from their disciples and give them all the tools they need to succeed.
Motivated adherents are likely to get things done and contribute positively to the group’s success.
Higher levels of success have been linked to improved work happiness and corporate dedication, both of which have been shown to come from innovative leadership. (Bass & Avolio, 1993; Higgs et al., 2019).
Builds a strong team
To add to its list of benefits, transformational leadership creates a cohesive unit that is fully invested in the organization’s mission.
This is because supporters of revolutionary leaders feel like they are part of a coherent entity, which improves their ability to work together.
They inspire their followers to collaborate to accomplish a shared objective, and they give those followers the tools they need to do so.
As a result, better understanding, confidence, and rapport can develop among team members.
Encourages innovation
Those who follow a transformational leader are likely to think outside the box. This is because they foster an atmosphere that welcomes experimentation and takes calculated risks.
They encourage their adherents to think creatively and execute novel ideas by providing and rewarding them with the means.
Because of this, the company may develop cutting-edge services and procedures that set them apart from competitors.
Leadership that inspires people to think outside the box has been shown in studies to be effective. (Bass & Avolio, 1993; Higgs et al., 2019).
Improves organizational culture
Leaders with transformational skills can boost morale and productivity by cultivating a cooperative atmosphere in the workplace. They put in the time and effort to get to know their fans and give them all the resources they need to thrive.
An increase in workers’ happiness in the workplace has been linked to lower attrition and greater employee loyalty.
Staff members are more likely to open up to one another, trust one another, and work together effectively when the company has a good atmosphere.
Develops future leaders
Mentoring and guiding their subordinates allows transformational leaders to create new generations of leaders.
They invest in their fans by giving them access to resources and experiences that will help them hone their craft.
This can aid in developing potential future leaders by providing a pool of qualified individuals to draw. Transformational leaders can secure the organization’s future prosperity by investing in the growth of new leaders at all levels.
Disadvantages of Transformational Leadership
Dependency on the leader
A significant drawback of revolutionary leadership is the dependence it can foster on the leader.
People who depend too heavily on their boss for instruction and assistance may lose the ability to think critically and make choices for themselves.
Because of this, those who follow may lose the ability to make choices for themselves. Those who follow a boss who suddenly departs the company may become disoriented and less productive because they no longer have someone to guide them.
Potential for burnout
Transformational leaders can lose sight of their own needs and the needs of their supporters in pursuing their goals. This can cause both the boss and their supporters to become exhausted.
There is a risk of burnout on both sides of a leader constantly trying to encourage and drive their team and if those team members continuously try to live up to the leader’s lofty standards. This may result in lower drive and output and even employee attrition.
Resistance to change
Some followers, especially those who are averse to change, may find transformational leadership difficult.
As a result, the leader may encounter opposition and rejection from their supporters, which will impede their progress toward their goal.
Some of your devotees might be content with how things are done and resistant to suggestions for improvement. This can be a difficult task for the boss, especially if the proposed changes are substantial and will take a great deal of work from the adherents.
High expectations
When led by a transformational leader, it can be challenging for adherents to live up to their lofty standards. When followers can’t meet their leader’s high standards, it can cause them to feel let down and frustrated.
If supporters aren’t doing what the boss wants, the leader may get angry, and the connection between the two may suffer.
Lack of focus on day-to-day operations
Transformational leaders can lose sight of the here and now in pursuing the future they envision. This can ignore details and disregard pressing issues.
A boss can lose sight of the finer points of running a company if they constantly consider the broad picture.
This may cause problems in the here and now, potentially detrimental to the organization’s long-term performance.
Key Takeaways
- Transformational leadership increases motivation and productivity by inspiring followers to take action toward future goals.
- It builds a strong team by creating a cohesive unit that works together towards a shared objective.
- Transformational leadership encourages innovation by fostering an atmosphere welcoming experimentation and rewarding creative thinking.
- It improves organizational culture by boosting morale and productivity and creating a cooperative workplace atmosphere.
- Transformational leaders develop future leaders by mentoring and guiding their subordinates, investing in their growth, and creating a pool of qualified individuals for leadership roles.
- Disadvantages of transformational leadership: dependency on the leader, burnout risk, resistance to change, high expectations, and lack of focus on daily operations.
FAQs
How can resistance to change impact transformational leadership?
Resistance to change can pose a challenge for transformational leadership. Some individuals may resist the changes proposed by transformational leaders due to fear of the unknown, discomfort with uncertainty, or attachment to existing routines.
This resistance can hinder the implementation of new ideas and initiatives, making it difficult for transformational leaders to bring about the desired organizational change.
Overcoming resistance requires effective communication, addressing concerns, and involving employees in the change process.
Can transformational leadership improve team performance?
Yes, transformational leadership can improve team performance. By creating a shared vision and aligning team members’ goals with organizational objectives, transformational leaders foster a sense of unity and collaboration within the team.
They provide mentorship, guidance, and support to team members, which enhances their skills and capabilities. This leadership style also promotes innovation and creativity, leading to higher levels of team performance.
Is there a downside to the high expectations of transformational leadership?
Yes, the high expectations associated with transformational leadership can be a downside. Employees may feel overwhelmed or stressed by the constant pressure to meet ambitious goals.
Additionally, if leaders consistently set unrealistic expectations, it can lead to frustration and decreased morale among team members.
Therefore, transformational leaders must balance setting challenging goals and ensuring they are attainable and reasonable.
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“Vision, strategy, and inspiration – these three words describe me the best. I am the founder of “TheLeaderboy” dedicated to leadership and personal development. As a self-taught practitioner, I have been studying the principles of effective leadership for the past decade and my passion lies in sharing my insights with others. My mission is to empower individuals to become better leader