Managerial + Transformational + Charismatic Leadership Styles – Cracking the Code of Leadership Styles
Managerial + Transformational + Charismatic Leadership Styles – Cracking the Code of Leadership Styles
Have you – or someone you know – ever left a workplace not because of the job but because the clinic owner, head nurse or lead vet, let toxic behaviour persist?
If so, you’ll “get” first hand how different leadership styles impact how individuals interact with their team members, how conflicts are resolved (or not), and ultimately how clinic culture is impacted.
By recognising and understanding different leadership styles, you can improve your communication, team dynamics, conflict resolution, and personal development within your clinic’s team.
That’s what we’re looking at today in this new 101 series on Leadership Styles.
Transactional or Managerial Leadership
In transactional and managerial leadership styles, the leader rewards team members for achieving specific goals or meeting certain expectations.
This can be effective in situations where team members need clear direction and goals to work towards. However, it can also lead to a focus on short-term goals at the expense of long-term growth and development.
However, it may not be effective in situations where creativity and innovation is required in order to achieve the desired results.
Transactional or managerial leadership is a style in which the leader focuses on the exchange of rewards and punishments to motivate their team members.
How this looks or plays out
Contingent rewards:
With transactional leadership, the leader offers rewards to team members who meet specific goals or perform well. This might include bonuses, promotions, or other incentives.
Now, this isn’t to say that every remuneration package that includes a bonus is governed by a transactional leader … I want to make this really clear.
However, if you’re on a team where there’re bonuses regularly offered to incentivise, then maybe, just maybe, your leader could have a transactional or managerial bent to them.
Management-by-exception:
When you’ve got a transactional style of leadership, the leader monitors team members closely for deviations from expected standards or goals.
When a deviation is identified, the leader intervenes to correct the situation.
You can recognise this style, if you have a leader who’s vigilant and reactive to deviations from expectations.
Passive management-by-exception:
In a transactional leadership style, the leader – usually – only intervenes when there’s a problem. They don’t (usually) actively monitor team members or offer guidance unless a problem arises.
You’d recognise this style when a leader who’s not involved in the day-to-day workings of the team and who only steps in when there’s a problem.
Effectiveness
So when is transactional or managerial leadership effective ?
Task-oriented projects:
When a project is well-defined and requires a specific outcome, transactional leadership can be effective.
By setting clear goals and providing rewards for meeting them, team members can stay motivated and focused on the task at hand.
Crisis situations:
When you’ve got a crisis and it may be necessary for a leader to take a more directive approach. Transactional leadership can be effective in this context because they’re more likely to set clear expectations and they can offer rewards for successful outcomes.
High-stress environments:
In environments where team members are under high levels of stress, transactional leadership can help to provide structure and support.
Again, by offering rewards for meeting specific goals, team members can stay motivated and focused on the task at hand.
Types of work environments where Transactional Leadership is preferred
Transactional or Managerial Leadership focuses on creating clear chains of command and rewarding (or punishing team) members based on their performance.
Sales Environment:
In a sales environment, it’s essential to meet specific targets to ensure profitability. In this scenario, a transactional leader could set clear sales goals for the team, create incentives for achieving or exceeding targets, and penalties for underperformance.
Manufacturing Industry:
In a manufacturing setting, it’s crucial to follow specific procedures and quality standards to maintain product consistency and meet customer expectations.
Here transactional leaders ensure team members follow established procedures, monitor performance metrics, and reward team members who consistently meet or exceed quality standards.
Emergency Response:
And of course, in emergency response situations. This is because it’s essential to act quickly and efficiently to save lives and minimise damage.
Transactional leaders are good at providing clear instructions and guidelines to team members, reward those who act quickly and follow protocols, and discipline those who don’t.
Obviously, at work, it’s not the done thing to think about punishment. It’s kinda not the PC thing to do these days. If this is accepted behaviour at your clinic, you’ll start to get a reputation as a punitive employer.
Without getting into the ins and outs of employment law, punishment for wrong doing could result in termination of employment or, say, in a military situation, of court martials.
In emergency responses though – which can walk through the door at any time – it’s sometimes a matter of life or death so that when the lead vet or nurse at your place says “jump”, other team members don’t enter into a debate about how high or at what time. You need everyone to respond as one well-oiled team because a life is at stake.
Transformational Leadership
When you’ve got transformational leaders, they inspire and motivate team members to achieve a common goal. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and higher levels of motivation among team members.
However, it can also lead to unrealistic expectations and burnout among team members who may feel pressure to constantly improve.
What Transformational Leadership looks like
Set Compelling Visions:
Transformational leaders have a clear vision and communicate it to their followers.
They inspire their followers by articulating a future that is both desirable and achievable. They encourage their team members to work towards achieving that vision.
Leaders who set compelling visions tend to have a strong sense of purpose and direction.
Empower and Develop Others:
Transformational leaders are focused on developing and empowering their team members.
They provide opportunities for their followers to grow and develop their skills and talents, and they encourage them to take on new challenges.
Leaders who empower and develop others tend to be supportive and create a positive work environment.
Lead by Example:
Transformational leaders lead by example.
They set high standards for themselves and their team members and model the behaviour they expect from others.
Leaders who lead by example tend to be respected and trusted by their team members.
When Transformational Leadership is effective
During Times of Change:
Transformational leadership is effective during times of change or uncertainty, such as mergers, acquisitions, sale and purchase of clinics, or a restructure.
Leaders who can inspire and motivate their team members during these times can help reduce anxiety and build trust.
In Innovative Environments:
Transformational leadership is effective in innovative environments where creativity and risk-taking are valued.
Leaders who encourage experimentation and support their team members in taking calculated risks tend to have a positive impact on their team’s ability to generate innovative ideas.
Think about how much veterinary medicine has developed over the decades. How many extra lives have been saved and/or pets that have been given a new lease on life because of prosthetics. It’s transformational veterinary leadership that’s brought about these changes.
Transformational surgeons and nurses who took calculated risks to do something different.
Who would’ve imagined a life for dogs in wheelchairs for example? Or the equivalent of full knee, elbow or hip replacements.
Build Strong Teams:
Transformational leadership is effective when building strong teams that are committed to achieving a common goal.
Leaders who create a shared vision and empower their team members, tend to be successful in building cohesive and high-performing teams.
Recognising Transformational Leadership in the workplace
Inspirational Communication:
Transformational leaders tend to communicate in a way that inspires and motivates their followers.
They use stories and metaphors to convey their message and appeal to their team members’ emotions.
Supportive Leadership:
Transformational leaders tend to be supportive and encourage their team to take risks and to grow. They provide feedback and guidance to help their team members achieve their goals.
Personalised Attention:
Transformational leaders tend to give their team members personalised attention.
They get to know their team members individually and understand their strengths and weaknesses.
They then use this knowledge positively, to provide feedback and support that’s tailored and meaningful to each team member’s needs.
Ten Different Leadership Styles
- Autocratic or authoritarian leadership
- Democratic or participative leadership
- Laissez-faire or delegative leadership
- Transactional leadership
- Transformational leadership
- Servant leadership
- Charismatic leadership
- Situational leadership
- Coaching leadership
- Authentic leadership
Charismatic Leadership
Recognising charismatic leadership
Charismatic leaders are often very passionate and energetic. It’s this energy, enthusiasm and vision that inspire others to get off their tushes, follow and change the world.
They’re often great communicators, with the ability to convey their ideas in a clear and compelling way.
They’re also often very confident and decisive. They are willing to take risks and make bold decisions to achieve their goals.
Charismatic leadership effectiveness in the workplace
Again, in times of crises, charismatic leadership can be particularly effective because they’ll inspire a team to work together to overcome difficult challenges.
Charismatic leadership can also be effective in organisations that’re trying to achieve ambitious goals. Someone with a strong vision and the ability to inspire others can help a team to stay focused and motivated.
And in times of change. A leader who knows where they’re going and is able to communicate that clear vision, coupled with the ability to inspire others, helps create a sense of urgency and momentum for change.
Recognising charismatic leadership in the workplace
Charismatic leaders often have a strong presence and are able to command attention when they enter a room.
They’re often able to motivate their team to work together towards a common goal, even in challenging circumstances.
Charismatic leaders often have a loyal following. These are the Lead Vets and Head Nurses who resign and then their team ends up following them. Charismatic leaders have team members who’re willing to go above and beyond to support them and their vision.
Charismatic vs Transformational Leadership
It’s easy to think that Charismatic and Transformational leadership is the same. You might even lump “inspirational” leadership in there as well. But there’s quite a difference between leaders who are transformational and those who’re charismatic.
Here’s how:
Focus: Transformational leadership focuses on transforming individuals and organisations, while charismatic leadership focuses on the personal charisma of the leader.
Goal: Transformational leadership aims to inspire and motivate followers to achieve a common goal, while charismatic leadership aims to create a strong emotional bond between the leader and followers.
Vision: Transformational leaders have a clear vision for the future and communicate it to their followers, while charismatic leaders may rely more on their personal charm to persuade followers to support them.
Effect: Transformational leadership can create long-lasting change and a positive organisational culture, while charismatic leadership may be more short-term and dependent on the leader’s presence.
Approach: Transformational leaders use a variety of tools and techniques to inspire their followers, while charismatic leaders rely more on their personal qualities and charisma.
Both styles can be effective in different situations, and some leaders may use elements of both styles in their leadership approach.
Examples of charismatic leadership
Martin Luther King Jr. is a great example of a charismatic leader. His powerful speeches and unwavering commitment to civil rights inspired millions of people to join his cause.
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was known for his charismatic leadership style. He had a vision for what technology could be and was able to inspire his team to create products that changed the world.
And, until Elon Musk bought Twitter, you could say he was also both a charismatic and transformational leader with founding SpaceX and Tesla. He had a clear vision for the future of technology and has been able to inspire both of those teams to achieve ambitious goals.
Other Podcast Episodes Mentioned Today
Episode 122 – Leadership Styles 101 – pt 1
Autocratic or authoritarian leadership, Democratic or participative leadership, and/or Laissez-faire or delegative leadership