DQ Week 8 (Managing Professionals) - Essay Example

In your opinion, which type of leadership, transactional or transformational, is most important? Why? I think this question can only be answered when the type of organization is also given. Both leadership styles have been tested and proven to be effective (Aarons, G., 2006) individually or combined, but the success is dependent on the situation that requires leadership. I think any of the two is most important and even both practiced at the same time can be beneficial and necessary. It all just depends on the reason leadership is required.

Under what circumstances would one type of leadership be better than the other? Explain.If the situation necessitates an immediate quantifiable output, then transaction leadership is most important because people innately perform better when there is a reward waiting for them. This is part of man’s humanity. On the other hand, if the situation only aims to unite people towards a common goal or inspire them, then transformational leadership is most important because it would take time to see the fruits of this kind of leadership.

Have you ever observed authentic leadership? Describe your experience.Yes, I have. As there is no formula for authentic leadership (George, B., Sims, P., et. al., 2007), I think I have managed to observe several authentic leaders. An example of authentic leadership that is close to home would be my teachers at school. One of the traits common in leaders interviewed in a survey (George, B., Sims, P., et. al., 2007) is that they tap into and hone their strengths and skills in order to influence to others to become better people and this is what my teachers do for me.

They guide me with their knowledge and help mold me into the person I am. Reference:Aarons, G. (2006). Transformational and Transactional Leadership: Association Toward Evidence-Based Practice. Psychiatr Serv., 57(8). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1876730/#__ffn_sectitleGeorge, B., Sims, P., et. al. (2007 February.) Discovering Your Authentic Leadership. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from http://www.aawccnatl.org/assets/authentic%20leadership.pdf