The Transformational Leader

It's easy to parrot statistics which tell us how many corporate transformations or change initiatives fail.

So I won't.

Instead, let's think of a time in your career when you were part of something really inspiring.

A conversation around that career memory might go:

            Q: Does the memory bring a smile to your face?

            A: Yes.

            Q: Was it hard, but fun, but inspiring?

            A: All three.

             Q: Did you learn a lot?

            A: Loads.

            Q: Did it involve change or growth?

            A: Certainly, in many different ways.

             Q: Was there a particularly good leader involved?

            A: Most definitely.

             ... And there we have the Transformational Leader!

There's no typical personality type, look or culture which personifies the Transformational Leader ... they are many different things to different people ... for different reasons.

Q: But did their work live on after they moved on?

A: "Their efforts were eventually diluted ... the place was never quite the same"

Those same statistics we referred to earlier will tell you how many transformations or initiatives worked for a period, but didn't last or stay the course.

... But that's life, almost everything changes.

Leaders move on, positions change, markets shift dramatically, organisations merge, other initiatives take precedence and teams are disbanded.

But what you do notice is that wherever the Transformational Leader goes, people talk about them in much the same way. It's as though strong recognition follows their career.

And not everyone always likes certain Transformational Leaders. That's OK.

In fact, those who have made the most impact will have often polarised others around either their results or methods. It's all good learning.

----------------------------------------------------------------

So why do we need them now more than ever?

Because ‘business as usual’ is repeatedly seen as not being an option.

Organisations continue to talk about doing "more with less", maintaining growth while reducing cost, sustaining growth ... or even just trying to survive.

They might be coming out of tough times and trying to set themselves up best for the future.

These are great times for the Transformational Leader to show their mettle.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Where can we find these Transformational Leaders?

Simple. The answer comes from within us all.

Transformational Leaders are everywhere, often lying dormant just waiting for the right time to emerge.  

So how do you find your own Transformational Leader?

One simple way is to learn from your own experience.

Think back to that memory when you were part of something really inspiring in an organisation...                 

What was it about the particular leader involved that made the transformation, change or experience so engaging?

• Why would you want to have the same impact, but in your own way?
• What is it that you can do to make a difference to your organisation?
• Who can you influence for the better and how?
• How will you know you're making a difference?
• What does it mean for you not to rise to the occasion?

It may be small, it may be big, but the Transformational Leader sets out to make a difference.

Underneath you know that doing something is better than doing nothing ... for the business, for others and for yourself.

...so to finish on Shakespeare's Hamlet:

To be, or not to be, that is the question:

Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer

The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,

Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles

…………………………………………………………………

End

WildWorks Website

WildWorks Insight_World Needs Transformational Leaders.pdf