Transformational Transactional Leadership

Leadership is one of the four major functions performed by managers. There are various leadership styles which managers adopt in different situations, problems, and organizational issues depending upon the sensitivity of their working environment (Hoye II 2005). These leadership styles include transformational leadership, transactional leadership, charismatic leadership, authentic leadership, paternalistic leadership, autocratic leadership, etc. These leadership styles shape the way a leader manages, motivates, encourages, trains, and directs its followers (Hannah, Woolfolk, & Lord 2009). This paper compares and contrasts transactional, transformational, and authentic leadership styles or approaches with a major focus on explaining how leaders motivate their followers using each of these approaches and identifying the most effective approach among them. The discussion is based on human resource management and organizational behavior theories; specifically the leadership and motivational theories.

1. Transactional Leadership:

Transactional leadership, often called as managerial leadership approach presents the basic role of a...
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