Running Head: PAPER 2 1

Paper 2: Transformational Versus Authentic Leadership

Raymond R. Quesada III

College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University

OGL 300- Module 5

April 19, 2020

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Paper 2: Transformational Versus Authentic Leadership

Two of the styles of leadership that we have been studying have been Transformational

and Authentic Leadership. While both can be used together and in different situations, they are

still very different. While they might have some similarities their vision and application are quite

different.

Transformational Leadership “involves an exceptional form of influence that moves

followers to accomplish more than what is expected of them”(Northouse, 2019, p.164). It is a

type of leadership that “is concerned with improving the performance of followers to their fullest

potential”(Northouse, 2019, p.170). Also, it’s important to mention that it is supporting the great

good of the organization and avoids self-interests. The Transformational leadership approach is

a leadership style with very different approaches and theories by different researchers such as

Bass, Bennis and Nanus, Kouzes, and Posner. “Bass argued that Transformational leadership

motivates followers to do more than expected by raising followers' levels of consciousness about

importance and values of specified and idealized goals, getting followers to transcend their self-

interests for the sake of the team or the organization, and moving followers to address higher-

level needs” (Northouse, 2019, p. 169). On the other hand, Bennis and Nanus are more

concerned with making sure that transforming leaders have a clear vision as social architects for

their organizations and were able to create trust in their organizations while still being able to use

creative development of self through positive regard (Northouse, 2019, p. 176). Kouzes and

Posner created more models to explain their approach to Transformational Leadership. “The

Kouzes and Posner Model consist of five fundamental practices that enable leaders to get

extraordinary things accomplished: model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the

process, enable others to act, and encourage the heart”(Northouse, 2019, p.177).
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Another approach to explaining leadership is the Authentic Leadership Approach focused

here on the theory by Bill Geroge. Bill George focused on the characteristics that make authentic

leaders (Northouse, 2019, p.200). He was focused on describing the essential qualities of

authentic leadership and how individuals can develop these qualities if they want to become

more authentic leaders (Northouse, 2019, p.200). Bill George specifically came up with five

basic characteristics of authentic leadership which include having a strong sense of purpose, they

have a strong value about doing the right thing, establish trusting relationships, demonstrate self-

discipline, act on their values and they are sensitive and empathetic to the plight of others

(Northouse, 2019, p.200). Bill George also explained that there are five dimensions of authentic

leadership which include purpose, value, relationships, self-discipline, and heart which are

related to the five characteristics of passion, behavior, connectedness, consistency, and

compassion (Northouse, 2019, p.200). These dimensions and characteristics must work together

for individuals to develop into authentic leaders. Bill George also found that most authentic

leaders have a very strong sense of purpose meaning that they know what they are about and

where they are going (Northouse, 2019, p.201). Authentic leaders are usually motivated by their

goals and are usually inspired. These individuals that are passionate and have a deep-seated

interest in what they are doing and truly care about their work tend to be the people that end up

leading with authenticity(Northouse, 2019, p.200).

While both the transformational and authentic leadership models try to help and

understand leadership they are still quite different. Quite honestly they seem to have more

differences and similarities. For example, transformational leadership is concerned with

transforming an organization into the best possible version that it can be. They focus on the

benefit of improving the group as a whole. It also focuses on motivating the followers to become
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the best versions of themselves and making them reach their full potential. On the other hand, the

authentic leadership approach is focused more on the characteristics that make authentic leaders.

This leadership model is more focused on the leader and how they can be leading based on their

authentic selves in comparison to leading with the transformational leadership model that focuses

on transforming the followers. Authentic leadership focuses on the qualities that individuals need

to become authentic leaders. They do have some similarities in the sense that transformational

leadership is also very concerned with supporting the greater good of an organization and tries to

avoid self-interests that share themes from Authentic Leadership of acting out of values, being

empathetic, and passionate about what they are doing.

I have seen how these leadership styles work in my own life. I tend to see a lot of

transformational leadership theory in place with my current manager at Starbucks. She has

always been very driven to make our store the best place that it could be. She is concerned with

making sure everyone loves what they are doing and is happy to be there. She always focuses on

improving everyone and making sure that they are doing the best job possible. She always wants

people to provide the best customer service that we can and does everything and anything to help

us achieve those connections with her customers. She also never turned her back on anyone,

even baristas that I've been there for over 10 years that still have never learned recipes. She still

will put them through barista basics until they can master everything. She never turns her back

on anyone and is always concerned with making everyone the best possible version of

themselves. She genuinely cares about everyone in her store and is constantly checking in with

everyone. She is a strong believer of to have a happy story and happy customers you need to

have happy employees so she really starts from the bottom and moves her way up. On the other

hand, I turn to see a lot of authentic leadership theory in my district manager that I have a very
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good relationship with. Our district manager comes into our store quite often since she lives near

us and enjoys the honesty that we show her. She leads with authenticity in the sense that she is

very transparent and very open and honest when she's talking to you. She will always tell you

what you are doing well and what needs to improve and will recognize you for your

improvements. She does focus on her leadership style by taking a lot of feedback to make sure

she is not being too harsh on everyone. Overall is just very passionate about what she does and

wants to improve her district and all the stores. And she does a very good job at preaching

authentic leadership because she is always concerned with trying to support people who want to

move up in leadership positions in her district. She constantly checks with people who are

looking to develop and tells them what they can work on and that it should be natural to them.

I work very well with both of these leadership styles. I do appreciate transformational

leadership because I do appreciate the efforts that leaders put into believing in their followers. I

think it takes a lot of hard work and determination to try and improve everyone around you and

it's very inspiring to work under someone who is constantly pushing people to reach their

maximum potential. I think this takes a very strong leader and someone very passionate about

what they do. So in my opinion I work very well under this kind of leadership because I do like

to be pushed to maximize my development. I think under this leadership the leader supports and

pushes their followers and the growth of the followers can inspire their leader to keep pushing

and improving the people around them. I also tend to appreciate authentic leadership too. I think

that if the leader is coming out with their most authentic selves and is always working around

their morals and values that is something that can be appreciated. I think that authentic leaders

are the leaders that inspire you the most. The types of leaders that have worked on their
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leadership style to the point where they inspire people to be more authentic with themselves.

Overall I do appreciate this leadership style too because it inspires me to work on myself too.
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References

Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: theory and practice. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.