Tolstoy vs. Napoleon
An article about transformational leadership against transactional leadership
There are two kinds of leaders, the transactional leader, and the transformational leader. Each is exactly a different “animal spirit” from the other. But are they really dialectically opposite each other, as evil and good?
The presidential and/or vice presidential transactional leader is concerned with command and control, regulation, analysis, optimization.
The transactional leader focuses on exchanges and deals between the leader and followers, concerning incentives or disincentives in return for performance or favour during a campaign, elections or difficulty.
After he/she has won and become top in position, he/she indulges in Laissez faire leadership, which is keeping hands off from what his friends, relatives and supporters are doing, and letting things to ride on.
On the other hand, the presidential and/or vice presidential Transformational leader is concerned with emotions, values, ethics, standards and long term goals.
The Transformational leader is involved in a process where as an individual, he engages with the people and creates a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and the follower. Like a Zen master, He is a “pointer” to a vision.
The Transformational leader is effective in motivating followers and family and relatives towards action that support the overall common good. The end is that the leader changes both himself and his followers, both society and the environment.
Transformational leadership is developmental; as the leader grows as a person, so does his leadership. The leader is self aware about his strengths and limitations, and works towards the visionary and effective leader he aspires to be.
Transformational leadership by a Tolstoyan leader, as he is called by Stephen Denning in his signature book, “The Leader’s Guide to Story Telling, Mastering the Art and Discipline of Business Narrative”, is distinguished from transactional leadership, also called the Napoleon leadership.
Philippines, what does the country need now? Who are you voting for? A Napoleon skill of management, or a Tolstoyan mode of leadership?
