TRANSFORMATIONAL

LEADERSHIP
A Practical Application

Dr Thelma van der Merwe

Nursing Saudiization Department
KFSH&RC
October 2004

Guiding Question:
Question

How could
transformational
leadership be
implemented within an
organisation?

OBJECTIVES
Define transformational leadership
Assess transformational leadership theory
Analyse characteristics of
transformational leaders
Analyse competencies needed for
transformational leadership
Analyse a transformational leadership
case study

DEFINITIONS
A leadership style focused
on effecting revolutionary
change in organisations
through a commitment to
the organisations vision
(Sullivan & Decker, 2001)

DEFINITIONS CONT
Transformational leaders have the
ability to clearly articulate a vision
of the future
They are the myth-makers, the
storytellers
They capture our imagination with
the vivid descriptions of the
wonderful future we will build
together
(Trofino, 1992)

TRANSFORMATIONAL
LEADERSHIP THEORY
Why transformational leadership?
Nurture employees
Build & facilitate nursing leadership
in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Respond current nursing shortages

TRANSFORMATIONAL
LEADERSHIP THEORY CONT
Future nurse leaders
- change from command & control
- reduce excessive policies &
rituals
- share the power
are not concerned with status quo
bring revolutionary change in
organisations & humans

CHARACTERISTICS
Leaders & followers raise one
another to higher levels of
motivation and morality
Empowering others to achieve a
shared vision transforms both
Appeal to individuals to better
themselves

CHARACTERISTICS CONT
Fosters followers inborn desires for
higher values, morals, humanitarian
ideals
Moves individuals beyond transactions
& interpersonal exchanges to perform
beyond basic expectations
Uses power to instill a belief followers
can do exceptional things

CHARACTERISTICS CONT
Commit people to action
Convert followers into leaders
Convert leaders into change
agents, innovators
Are courageous

CHARACTERISTICS CONT
Believe in people
Are value driven
Are lifelong learners
Can deal with complexity

DIMENSIONS OF
TRANSFORMATIONAL
LEADERSHIP
The four Is
Idealised influence (charisma):
- follower admiration & respect,
-

risk sharing
consideration for follower needs
ethical & moral conduct (trust)

DIMENSIONS OF
TRANSFORMATIONAL
LEADERSHIP CONT
Inspirational motivation
- meaning & challenge to work

Intellectual stimulation
- creative problem solving
Individualised consideration
- listening, praising
(Bass & Avolio, 1994)

LEADERSHIP
COMMITMENTS
Search for opportunities to change/ grow
Experiment
Shared uplifting vision
Inform & share power
Individualize projects

LEADERSHIP
COMMITMENTS CONT
Involve team
Commit
Harness individual potential
Facilitate conditions for
knowledge based workers
Celebrate achievements

ENVISIONING THE FUTURE

Central to achievement of
organisational goals
Emerged from management by
objectives & strategic planning
A vision is an opportunity to
rethink: where are we now &
where do we want to be

A SUCCESSFUL VISION
Pre-requisites
- must make sense to the staff
- powerful to excite, motivate &
generate commitment
- emphasise what may be
- clarify what should be

A SUCCESSFUL VISION
CONT

First stage
- uniqueness of group
- true priorities for next year
- why would I commit for next 1-5 years?
- what achievements will make us
proud?

SUCCESSFUL VISION
CONT

Second stage

- Internal & external needs analysis

- Identify factors team must achieve to
remain viable & productive & develop
Formal tools
- SWOT analysis
- Delphi research technique
(MacKenzie, 1998)

ELEMENTS OF TRUST
Commitment
- make decisions on what is right
rather than self-interest

- commit to something more than

self

ELEMENTS OF TRUST
Familiarity
- When we know someone/ or
something well enough
- Personal relationships
- Trust based on how we are treated

Personal responsibility
- Take responsibility for actions

ELEMENTS OF TRUST
CONT

Integrity
- Honesty

- Self-awareness
know you who you are
- Lack of self-confidence indicates
criticize others
do most of talking
decisions on what boss wants
worry who gets credit

ELEMENTS OF TRUST
CONT
Consistency

- walk the talk

- predictability of behaviour
Communication

- open communication
- unwilling to deal with sensitive/difficult
issues
- share perceptions & listen

ELEMENTS OF TRUST
CONT

Forgiveness & reconciliation

Essence of trust
- spiritual & requires faith

- what is acceptable when we are at

home versus at work
(Annison & Wilford, 1998)

FIVE PRACTICES OF
TRANSFORMATIONAL
LEADERSHIP
EACH PRACTICE
CAN BE TESTED,
LEARNED &
TAUGHT

Leadership Practices
Inventory

Challenge the process

Inspire a shared vision

Enable others to act

Model the way

Encourage the heart

(Kouzes & Posner, 1988)
1988)

COMPETENCIES FOR
TRANSFORMATIONAL
LEADERSHIP
Management of Attention
- having a vision
- outcomes/goals
Management of Trust

COMPETENCIES FOR
TRANSFORMATIONAL
LEADERSHIP CONT
Management of Meaning

- creating a social culture, know

expectations
- bonding

Management of Self
- know ones own skills & lack thereof
- professional development

Case Study
transformational leadership
in action
Implementation
in the

Nursing Saudization
Department

Steps in Transformational
Process
Clarify responsibility &
accountability
Identify & agree on
responsibilities in Department
Continuous consultation &
support of staff
Continuous update & feedback

Steps in Transformational
Process
Two Saudi Clinical Educators, one
Western Education Coordinator
Ongoing evaluations
Acknowledgement
Celebration of achievements
Satisfied Saudi & non-Saudi nurses
Protection & motivation of staff in
Department: improved quality of nursing
practice

SUMMARY
Transformational values &
competencies are critical to
support leadership in KSA & world
wide
Current Saudi nursing workforce is
young & oftentimes inexperienced
Without competent leaders, the
workforce relies heavily on
expatriates

SUMMARY cont
It is thus imperative that
senior managers and
leaders including nurses,
mentor Saudi nurses into
positions of leadership.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
To all the nurses who
continuously inspire me to leave
a legacy
To all my Saudi nurses
To all my mentors & educators
Shukran!!