Question

Discussion 3: Developing Effective Task and Relationship Behaviors Part II

What are the similarities and differences among charismatic, inspirational, and transformational leadership,and what are the benefits and drawbacks of these styles? Use supporting details and references from this module

Answer 1

1. Charismatic leadership is basically the method of encouraging particular behaviors in others by way of eloquent communication, persuasion and force of personality. Charismatic leaders motivate followers to get things done or improve the way certain things are done. charismatic leaders are communicators who are extremely skilled. These individuals are very eloquent verbally and they have the ability to communicate with the people they lead on a profound, emotional level. One of the advantages of charismatic leadership is the ability of these individuals to articulate a captivating or compelling vision. They have the capacity to evoke strong emotions in their followers as well.

There are a number of similarities between charismatic and transformational leadership. For example, the transformational leader is typically charismatic as well. The primary dissimilarity is the basic focus of these two leadership styles. For example, the basic focus of the transformational leader is transforming the organization and the followers during the process, while the charismatic leader could be quite satisfied with the status quo.

Transformational leadership involves the use of charisma; however, transformational leaders are well-known for leading groups and teams that perform excellently. In addition, they are noted for their ability to identify and foster leadership capacity in the followers. They also devise methods of assisting the organization or group to innovate and change.

1. List of the Advantages of Charismatic Leadership

1. It is a leadership style which creates an emotional appeal.------People are inspired by charismatic leaders because they see a chance to reach their own dreams. These leaders give them a chance to do something that feels bigger than themselves.

2. It gives people a chance to think differently.-----When a charismatic leader shares their vision, it gives people a chance to think differently about a specific subject. In some instances, they can even begin to think of bigger plans or dreams that are achievable.

3. It decreases turnover rates within an organization.--------Employers often seek out charismatic leaders when they are struggling with high attrition rates. People feel connected to the charismatic leader more than they do the company, which creates a workplace that feels more welcoming. People come to work feeling happier.

List of the Disadvantages of Charismatic Leadership

1. It is dependent upon the energy levels of the leader.------Charismatic leadership is centered on the energy levels of the individual involved. Encouraging people to follow a specific vision or dream can be an exhausting experience. If energy levels begin to sink, there will be fewer followers willing to come along.

2. It prevents new learning opportunities from occurring.-----Charismatic leaders convince others to follow their own vision. That means people tend to abandon their own dreams, creativity, or plans because they see something “better” through the perspective of the leader they choose to follow. Instead of following their own opportunities for growth, they push the leader to become better, stronger, and more influential.

3. . It can change the value systems of the followers.----People might initially begin to follow a leader because they share the same overall goals that are being described. Over time, that affiliation can change the personality, value systems, and spiritual definitions of the person following the charismatic leader.

INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP-------------Inspirational leadership is driven by values, and ensuring those values are clearly demonstrated in the behaviours you display. It is by acting in accordance with your own values that you will inspire others to act in accordance with their own.  leadership refers to someone leading others by motivating them to strive for certain goals rather than simply act on orders. The leader tries to create a safe and trusting environment, and ensure the organization is positioned for success in its domain. Leadership is not magnetic personality, that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not ‘making friends and influencing people’, that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a persons vision to highersights, the raising of a persons performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.

ADVANTAGES--------------Healthier Mindset of employee • More Efficient Team Members• Provides a Better Quality of Life • Rewards Make People Feel Better about Themselves and What they are Doing • Forces the Employees to Meet Goals • Increased Production

Disadvantages---------1. Sick Time due to Unhealthy Employee and/or Family member.

2. Lack of Personal Drive

3. Lack of Pride in Their Work

4. Not Interested in Meeting Goals and deadlines.

5. Decreased Production

6. Poor Attitudes

7. Bitter People Drag Others Down

3. Transformational leadership is always "transforming" and improving upon the company's conventions. Employees might have a basic set of tasks and goals that they complete every week or month, but the leader is constantly pushing them outside of their comfort zone.  It sees a true leader as one who can distill the values and hopes and needs of followers into a vision, and then encourage and empower followers to pursue that vision. A transactional leader thinks of improvement or development as doing the same thing better: an organization that reaches more people, a company that makes more money. A transformational leader thinks about changing the world, even if only on a small scale. Transformational leadership occurs when leaders perform their roles so effectively that they gain the trust, respect, appreciation and loyalty of the people who follow them.

1. Advantage: United in a Common Cause----Transformational leaders stand out in their ability to quickly analyze a company's current situation and create a righteous vision for its improvement and growth. Through passion and influence, the leader communicates her vision to employees to get everyone on board. Employees are motivated to do what is asked of them because the whole work experience is perceived as a purposeful and enjoyable adventure.

2.  Reduces Turnover Costs----Employees come and go – and when someone goes, it can cost the organization dearly in terms of finding and training a replacement. Transformational leadership seeks to lower staff turnover by making people feel more engaged and included in the organization.

3. Creates and Manages Change---For companies to evolve, they must be willing to embrace change. However, change is notoriously tricky to implement because many people are resistant to it. Usually, it's because they are scared of the unknown or feel suspicious that the new situation will be worse than the old way of doing things.

DISADVANTAGES------

1. Restricted Applicability in Specific Circumstances--Transformational leadership is not a one-size-fits-all leadership style. One of its drawbacks is its inapplicability in certain situations. For example, it is useless in groups or organizations composed of followers performing routine or mechanized tasks.

2. Can Lead to Employee Burnout------While some will feel inspired by a transformational leader, others feel their presence as a constant pressure. Transformational leaders put a lot of emphasis on authenticity – living and breathing the company culture and values. This constant push to achieve the grand vision and to continually take pride in the company's achievements can lead to demotivation and burnout in some employees.

3. Can Place High Amounts of Pressure on the Followers----One of the advantages of transactional leadership, as well as an authoritarian style of leadership, is that they place the pressure and accountability on the leader. However, under a transformational approach, the leader distributes accountability across the group or organization by giving them autonomy or ownership over their tasks.

CONCLUSION------------The main difference between charismatic leadership and transformational leadership lies on focus as well as on the audience. Charismatic pacemakers are the ones who always try to make their status quo better. On the contrary, a transformational front-runner keeps his focus on transforming the organization into the pacemaker’s vision. Unfortunately, not every individual has charisma. Similarly, transformational leadership demands a sense of transparency- which is not possible for everyone to provide. A leader with charisma can capture his follower’s attention effortlessly. Likewise, if a person lacks transformational leadership skills, then he can lead the line-up in the wrong direction. Charismatic leaders are born leaders, but transformational leaders are adaptive leaders. It is hard to replace a charismatic pacemaker, but a transformational leader will be substituted by the next in line edict officers.