What IS transformational leadership in teaching?
Transformational leadership stands in contrast to transactional leadership, when a leader and followers agree on what followers must do in order to receive a reward, with little emphasis on addressing followers’ personal values or developing a sense of trust among followers. Instead, transformational leadership seeks to inspire followers, such that both leader and followers increase their motivation and performance.
Transformational teaching consists of the following:
- Inspiration: Sharing a vision; creating motivational tasks
- Social support: cultivating supportive relationships in the class; handling conflict appropriately; creating a community of learners; promotes participative decision-making and delegation
- Enabling: Enhancing learner knowledge and skills; offering intellectual stimulation
- Flexibility: Willing to change based on new understandings
- Creating the right culture: Sets a respectful tone with students
- High expectations: Innovation and student reflection are emphasized; moral support is provided by the teacher
Try being transformational!
