Transformational leadership for change

Transformational leadership is an important contemporary theory of leadership. Its one leadership style consistent with successful organizational change management. Burns argued that all leadership behavior is either transactional or transformational. Transactional behaviors are "largely oriented toward accomplishing the tasks at hand and at maintaining good relations with those working with the leader [exchanging promises of rewards for performance]." Burns says that this style doesn't work when the task require inspiring people to want to make …

…they create and share strategic vision and strategies that guide and pave the way to change. They display dissatisfaction with the status quo; they are restless and energetic; they are action oriented; their discontent pushes them into searching for new opportunities; they are entrepreneurial, impatient, and gifted at articulating a strategic vision, making the big picture seem within reach of their followers. They are also very gifted at building alliances and making people feel special.