Transformational leadership

A style of leadership that shares many characteristics of servant leadership is transformational leadership. According to Burns (1978), transformational leaders "shape and alter and elevate the motives and values and goals of followers throught the vital teaching role of leadership" (p. 425. Moreover, tranformational leadership, like servant leadership is concerned with end-values such as liberty, justice, and equality. Transformational leaders want followers to reach their potential and meet the followers higher needs.

Transformational leaders:

• articulate a clear and appealing vision.
• explain how the vision can be attained.
• act confident and optimistic.
• express confidence in followers.
• use dramatic, symbolic actions to emphsize key values.
• lead by example.

Servant leaders sense mission and vision

According to Blanchard and Hodges (2003), "Servant leadership begins with a clear and compelling vision of the future that exites passion in the leader and commitment in those who follow. In practical terms a good vision has three parts:

Your purpose/mission: What business you are in--How will it benefit your customers?

Your preferred picture of the future: Where are you going--What will you look like if everything is running as planned?

Your values: How do you want people to behave when they are working on your mission and picture of the future--What do you stand for?"

Blanchard, K., & Hodges, P. (2003) The Servant Leader. Nashville, TN: J. Countryman.