Introduction to Bass Transformational Leadership

James McGregor Burns is one of the recognized leaders who have embraced the transformational leadership. Burns conceptualized some of the characteristics of transformational leaders and the various principles and practices that a leader has to show.

But there is another character who challenged Burns' hypothesis on transformational leadership. This guy is Bernard M. Bass. He argued that transformational leadership is universally applicable to different cultures and situations and is not applicable only in certain contexts, as Burns said. When leaders and followers are able to transcend their own interests and act in the interests of the group or organization, they can succeed in transforming themselves and their organization.

Burns said that there is a gap between the types of transformation and transactional leadership. Bass said instead that it is both transactional and transforming leadership can be viewed by the same individual at different times and in different weights.

Moreover, the transactional leader tends to contribute to the confidence and the desire by clarifying the performance needs of the organization. Only then will he be satisfied with the results. On the other hand, the transformational leader puts in extra effort, improving the confidence of subordinates and allows them to provide the same output over and over again and with good feelings, too!

Bass Transformational leadership therefore means using charisma in dealing with subordinates with the leader taking into account the importance of outcomes and outputs.

With so much confusion in the leadership of the world today, people are still wondering what kind of leadership style to use for their situation. At least, that's good when people asked about the best way to deliver value and achieve goals. This demonstrates a commitment to excellence!

The transformational and transactional leadership had put side by side by many authors before. They think that these two leadership styles are not compatible. To a certain extent, they are right. But Bernard M. Bass is right when he said that both styles of leadership can be viewed from an individual depending on the context that he or she is in.

Context, it is therefore important to consider the style of leadership that is applicable to an organization. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all style of leadership. There are simply too many variables peculiar to each organization. This is probably a good thing. Bass is simply say that the transactional and transformational leadership are not necessarily exclusive and contradictory from each other. As a leader, you must make important choices so that the organization becomes a better one .......