Take just a minute to reflect on what you believe are the characteristics that describe a transformational leader, and by the same token take another minute to reflect on the characteristics that describe a transactional leader. Don’t be concerned if you struggle with this task. I have given presentations to groups of senior executives and they too have trouble understanding just what characterizes transformational and transactional leadership.
The purpose of this article is to make clear just what characterizes both transactional and transformational leadership, and to describe skills necessary to become more transformational. The case will also be made that transformational leadership not only will drive health & safety (H&S) excellence, but also excellence in other critical business functions such as cost, quality, productivity, customer service, etc.