# data[].attributes.body
“Be willing to make people better than you met them. That's what transformational leaders do”
― Benjamin Suulola

(Goodreads, n.d.)

# data[].attributes.body
My leadership vision for myself has evolved during this class. I now vision myself as a transformational leader. According to Bass (2006), transformational leadership focuses on intrinsic motivation, professional development and inspiring followers. To me, this means focusing on building a team up and sharing my knowledge with them. I want to set up my team for success, weather they stay with my company or not. I see myself being a role model and someone to look up to and inspire.

# data[].attributes.body
The term "transformational leadership" has been around since 1978 and was created by presidential biographer James MacGregor Burns(Vitasek et al., 2025). Transformational leaders are described as enthusiastic, passionate, optimistic and have the ability to influence. Transformational leaders want to make a change and impact the people around them in a positive way (Vitasek et al., 2025). Moral, motivation and and empowerment of employees or followers is the focus of transformational leaders (Vitasek et al., 2025). A transformational leader stays adaptable, self aware, humble, and is open minded (UMass Global, n.d.).

# data[].attributes.headline
An Interesting Video on Transformational Leadership

# data[].attributes.subject
An Interesting Video on Transformational Leadership

# data[].attributes.body
In the video he mentions how transformational leaders fulfill the needs of followers as described in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

(Maslow, 1943)

# data[].attributes.body
In order for me to become the transformational leader I have as my vision, I have set two achievable goals. To become a transformational leader, I must develop and build up my staff, as well as, be a role model for them to look up to.

As mentioned, developing a team is an important aspect of transformational leadership (Aga, Noorderhaven, & Vallejo, 2016). Developing a team leads to greater customer service and loyalty, increases motivation and provides a pathway for success of the organization (Renaissance, 2021). I want my followers to become better at their craft, they should gain valuable insight and knowledge, while building confidence. I will do this by devoting time to hold professional development seminars every 3 months. These sessions will build off the last each other. They will focus on new industry specific knowledge, build soft skills like emotional intelligence, career opportunities they may not of considered, and networking opportunities. These meetings will be collaborative, everyone's opinion will be considered and will be open to new ideas the team would like to work on.

The next goal, is being a good professional role model. It is mentioned that leading by example is also a major factor in Transformational Leadership (Cherry, 2023). I have learned a great deal from excellent role models and I seek to provide the same. I will do this by leading by example, leading by example creates an innovative work place and contributes to the success of the organization (Rework, n.d.). I will do and act in a way that is always professional, show off my strong work ethic, and stand up for myself and followers, show emotional intelligence, be honest, accountable and on time. Even though I am a leader, that doesn't mean any task is below me - I will sweep the floor and take out the trash when I see its needed. I will not just lead by example but I will inspire others to do the same.

# data[].attributes.body
To lead, I lift—not stand above,
I guide with grit, and lead with love.
I teach, I grow, I walk the talk,
Beside my team, not just the walk.

Each voice will matter, every task,
I’ll lead with heart—that’s all I ask.
To build, inspire, and boldly be—
The leader that I hope to see.

# data[].attributes.headline
Outcomes from Becoming a Transformational Leader

# data[].attributes.subject
Outcomes from Becoming a Transformational Leader

# data[].attributes.body
Once I become a transformational leader, I hope to see some significant outcomes in the team. For example the followers will be more collaborative, feel more appreciated and be more open to diversity of thought. Overall I expect them to greatly improve productivity and general team performance (Wang et al., 2011).

For myself, once I become a better transformational leader I expect to better understand followers on a personal level, promote creativity, and motive the team to see their potential (Wang et al., 2011).

# data[].attributes.body
Looking to the future, I am excited to see my vision through and become a transformational leader. I am excited to take the next steps in my leadership journey. I will do this by developing the team and leading by example. I will continue this leadership style for as long as it works or until someone invents a better leadership style - maybe that person is me.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
How I will Become a Transformational Leader

# data[].attributes.body
Aga, D. A., Noorderhaven, N., & Vallejo, B. (2016). Transformational leadership and project success: The mediating role of team-building. International Journal of Project Management, 34(5), 806–818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.02.012

Bass, B., & Riggio, R. (2006). Transformational leadership. LAWRENCE ERLBAUM ASSOCIATES, PUBLISHERS.

Cherry, K. (2023, December 11). 10 tips for leading like a boss. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/ways-to-become-a-better-leader-2795324. Accessed April 8, 2025.

Goodreads. (n.d.). Transformational leadership quotes. Goodreads. Retrieved April 8, 2025, from https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/transformational-leadership

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346

Rework. (n.d.). Understanding team effectiveness. Google. Retrieved April 8, 2025, from https://rework.withgoogle.com/guides/understanding-team-effectiveness/steps/introduction/

Renaissance, I. O. (2021, November 16). How Zappos delivers exceptional customer experience (CX). Renascence. Retrieved April 8, 2025, from https://www.renascence.io/journal/how-zappos-delivers-exceptional-customer-experience-cx

Vitasek, K., Licata, P., Rooney, P., & Heller, M. (2025, April 4). How to apply transformational leadership at your company. CIO. https://www.cio.com/article/288976/careers-staffing-how-to-apply-transformational-leadership-at-your-company.html

Wang, G., Oh, I. S., Courtright, S. H., & Colbert, A. E. (2011). Transformational leadership and performance across criteria and levels: A meta-analytic review. The Leadership Quarterly, 22(5), 1017–1035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2011.07.007

What is transformational leadership and why is it effective?: UMass Global. (n.d.). UMass Global. Retrieved April 8, 2025, from https://www.umassglobal.edu/news-and-events/blog/what-is-transformational-leadership#:~:text=Transformational%20leaders%20know%20how%20to,shape%20an%20organization’s%20future%20success.