Transformational and Authentic Leadership Styles

Transformational and Authentic Leadership Styles
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Transformational and Authentic Leadership Styles
Several leadership styles that can be used in organizations exist. They include transformational ad authentic leadership types. They have distinct characteristics that distinguish each, although they share some features. This paper discusses chapters 8 and 9 of Northouse (2022). Leadership: Theory and Practice on transformational and authentic leadership. It summarizes the key information in the two readings, their similarities and differences, and gives my preference for transformational over authentic leadership.
Learning from Reading One: Transformational Leadership
The first reading is chapter 8: Transformational Leadership. I learned many things about transformational leadership, but all are summarized in the four factors of transformational leaders; idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration.
A transformational leader has idealized influence. These leaders are role models who lead their followers by example, acting together with their juniors instead of only giving instructions. In their role of being idealized influencers, transformational leaders must uphold high standards of moral and ethical behaviour (Northouse, 2022). This way, their followers develop confidence and trust that they follow the right person with admirable behaviour. Therefore, a transformational leader makes others want to follow their vision because they have strong ideas that benefit their followers and the organization.
Transformational leaders inspire motivation. Inspiring motivation involves communicating high expectations to their followers. This inspires the followers to commit and engage in a shared vision. Transformational leaders use symbols and emotional appeals to inspire followers to achieve more than their self-interest.
Transformational leader stimulates the intellects of their followers. This challenges the followers to be creative and innovative, challenging their beliefs and emphasizing the value of their leaders and organization (Northouse, 2022). Therefore, in stimulating their followers' intellect, transformational leaders support their followers to try new approaches and innovate ways to solve organizational issues.
The last lesson I got from the reading is that transformational leaders have individualized consideration. This involves listening considerately and objectively to the followers and coaching them to become fully actualized. This way, the leaders help their followers to grow through personal and organizational challenges.
Therefore, I learned that transformational leadership is among the best leadership strategies. It involves a leader humbling themselves to the level of employees and helping them to handle organizational issues by encouraging them to be innovative and creative.
Learning from Reading Two: Authentic Leadership
The second reading is chapter 9: Authentic Leadership. The chapter explores authentic leadership, giving its overview, criticism, strengths and application. Authentic leadership focuses on the genuineness of a leader (Northouse, 2022). I le...