Jomo Kenyatta University College of Agriculture and Technology

HBC 2108 Principle of Management-Trimester Assignment

Transformational Leadership

Transformational Leadership Defined.

Transformational leadership concept was defined by bass (1990) as exceptional

leadership performance that exists when leaders broaden and elevate the interests of their
employees, when they generate awareness and acceptance of the purposes and mission of
the organization/company and when those leaders stir their subordinates to look beyond
their self-interest for the entire organization. Rouche et al (1989) defined
transformational leadership as the ability of a leader to influence others values, attitudes,
beliefs and behaviours in order to achieve the mission and goals of the organization.
Transformational leader raises aspiration and shifts people and organizational systems
into new, high-performance patterns. The presence of transformational leadership is
reflected in employees who are enthusiastic about the leader and his/her ideas.

Dimensions of Transformational Leadership.

Transformational leadership represents the most active/effective from of leadership, a

form in which leaders are closely engaged with employees, motivating them beyond their
transactional agreements.

In general, there are FOUR types of leaders behaviours that constitute the dimensions of
transformational leadership:

1. Idealized influence: Another term used to describe this form of leadership is

charisma. Charismatic leaders project their self-confidence into others. Idealized
influence constitutes the charismatic factor of transformational leadership in
which leaders become role models for ethical behaviour by their employees.
2. Individualized consideration: Individualized consideration refers to the
transformational leadership behaviours of dealing with employees as important
contributors to the organization. Leaders according to this behaviour show
consideration for followers needs and requirements. Transformational leaders
help their subordinates in fulfilling their potential talents and increasing
responsibilities in the organization.
3. Intellectual stimulation: Transformational leaders stimulate their followers to be
creative by questioning assumptions, reframing problems and diagnostic old
problems in new ways. Leaders provide learning and training for their
subordinates and develop innovative and creative climate in the organization.

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 4. Inspirational motivation: This type of behaviour describes leaders who motivate
subordinates and encourage them to good behaviours inspirationally. Inspirational
motivation creates a clear picture of the future that is both optimistic and
attainable. Leaders set high expectations, use symbolism to focus efforts and
communicate a vision to employees in a simple language and they react by
willing to increase their efforts to attain the vision of the organization.

Required:

(a) From the above brief outline of transformational leadership and from additional
literature on principles of management, discuss the relationship between
leadership and management with respect to sustainable performance of a modern
organization. (5 Marks)

(b) Explain the role of leadership in each of the following management functions:

(i) Planning (ii) Organizing (iii) Leading (iv) Controlling

(20 Marks)

(c) Identify and explain various theories of management that seem to support
transactional leadership as outlined in the passage above. (10 Marks)

(d) Demonstrate the relevance of the classical and behavioral theories in sustaining
the productivity of a modern organization/company in the environment of
competition. (15 Marks)

NB:
• The assignment is to be individually. Any form of plagiarism will be handled
strictly in accordance to the examinations statutes of the University.
• Marks will be awarded based on demonstrated understanding of the principles of
management and wider reference to books of management. “The cut and paste”
answers will earn very minimal marks.
• The assignment MUST be typed. Hand written work will not be assessed.
• The assignment is due on the 25th March 2011.