The way we work is changing. In just the past five years we’ve seen an influx of new technologies, new team arrangements, along with a new generation of workers. As leaders adapt to these ongoing disruptions, many are embracing alternative leadership styles to thrive in this new environment. Transformative leadership has become increasingly popular in recent years because of its emphasis on embracing change.
The key component of transformative leadership is a visionary mindset. Transformative leadership prioritizes two things: driving innovation and empowering people, with the larger goal of shaping an organization’s future success. Are you interested in evolving and improving your leadership skills to make a more positive impact on the people you lead? Here are eight strategies to help you develop the traits of a transformative leader.
1. Embrace Change
Transformative leaders are change agents who actively challenge the status quo. Innovation is a part of their everyday thought process, and they are dedicated to continuous growth and development. As you develop your management style, try to reframe the way you think about change. Try treating change as an opportunity rather than a disruption. This will make you more receptive to unique approaches and out-of-the-box thinking.
2. Empower Others
Becoming a transformative leader means learning how to improve those around you. This does not happen organically; it is something that you must prioritize as a leader. Start out small by selecting someone on your team and putting a development plan in place. Then, slowly build this process to include others over time.
3. Develop Self-Awareness
Self-reflection and emotional intelligence are both critical to transformative leadership. Understanding your own strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots will help you build empathy and be more authentic, enabling you to inspire and lead your team members more effectively. Focus on changing yourself first. Then you can inspire change in others, which will in turn create change in the organization.
4. Cultivate a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that an individual’s skills and behaviors are not set in stone but can be improved through dedication and hard work. This mindset is essential for empowering team members and inspiring them to perform at their very best. Transformative leaders provide their team members with a great deal of autonomy and will encourage them to complete tasks however they choose, provided that performance expectations are met.
5. Communicate Effectively
Talking is not the same as communicating. Effective communicators know how to listen to what other people are saying and use those insights to coach and lead them more efficiently. Strive for transparency in your communication style and work to create an environment in which team members feel encouraged to share their thoughts, opinions, and insights.
6. Build Relationships
Transformative leaders view their team members as partners, not merely as employees. They work to create a sense of trust and psychological safety within the group. Try to create bonds with your team members that provide insights into what they think and how they feel. Understanding your employees’ unique passions, challenges, and frustrations will enable you to meet their needs and deploy them more effectively within the team structure.
7. Lead by Example
Be aware that other people are watching you. Employees look to you as an inspiration and a model for how to perform. It’s important to take this responsibility seriously by embodying the same traits you want to cultivate in others. A transformative leader will seek to lead by example and function as an active member of the team.
8. Stay Informed and Up to Date
Increase your awareness of what’s taking place in the company around you. Seek out leaders you admire and learn from their behaviors. Strive to stay current on all learning and technology within the company and pay attention to the impact it has on other employees.
Leading Change Through Personal Growth
Transformative leadership is an ongoing process of personal and professional improvement that starts with you as a leader. You serve as the central engine for your team, and it is only by cultivating ingenuity, integrity, and authenticity in yourself that you can begin to inspire similar greatness in others.
Learn more about transformative leadership style in the Performance Matters Podcast.
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