Sarah Brennan

February 20th, 2021

Module 5: Paper 2

Describe in detail the primary leadership qualities identified in Transformational and

Authentic Leadership models [i.e., the primary characteristics of Transformational

Leadership Theory (include Bass’, Bennis and Nanus’, Kouzes and Posner’s approaches)

and that of Authentic Leadership Theory (include George’s approach)] and explain how

they help us to understand leadership.

The primary leadership qualities identified in transformational and authentic leadership models

would be that being a transformational leader means that you care about the well being of your

team and employees. Rather than focusing on numbers and business only, we need these leaders

taking into consideration their mental health, making sure they are emotionally supported, and

supports their goals with whatever they are looking to accomplish. Authentic leadership focuses

on being genuine and self aware. An important quality in authentic leadership is that we see

people focusing on keeping an honest workplace. Both of these leadership styles help us

understand leadership as they hold such key components of what it really means to be a

successful leader with dedicated and motivated followers.

Provide a comparison and a contrast of the key differences and similarities between

these two theories.

Some key differences between the two theories are that transformational leadership is

specifically to motivate their team and followers and showing them that the work they
are doing is worth it in the long term. Authentic leadership is more of a leader who really

believes the things they try to get their followers to work hard for, rather than

transformational, it is rather them convincing it is worth their while. I would say they

have more similarities since they both focus on being there for their followers no matter

what their morals are for their team.

Identify positive or negative experience involving each of these models and provide

details as to whether the positive experiences related to HOW support or direction were

given AND/OR matching your developmental level. If you are recounting a negative

experience, was it due to HOW support or direction was given AND/OR a mismatch with

your developmental level.

Authentic leadership played a part in my life positively when my boss had comforted

me when I needed personal leave for a week or so. At my work, Starbucks we are

informed that the mission of being a partner is caring for one another at work and being

supported as a human being. When my friend passed away, we were in the beginning of

covid so my boss needed me to show up to work and put in my best effort, but when I

informed her what had happened, she dropped everything to make sure I was supported

not only as an employee but as a friend. She showed authentic leadership as she was

demonstrating the values the company holds to my personal situation. I was able to
take the time off that I needed to grieve while being supported by my coworkers due to

this leadership style.

Another experience I have been through positively in transformational leadership is how

much I have grown in my leadership skills through my boss. My boss shows

transformational leadership styles as she pushes the team and me out of our comfort

zones and constantly checks in on our progress to make sure we keep at it. I have had

bosses in the past where they would give us so much responsibility and standards to

keep up with at work, but then a day later not check in and holw the team responsible,

as well as going against what she tells us to do everyday. This is not great

transformational leadership since this is not a role model to look up to and setting a

good example. The boss that did well in this area was able to see so much growth and

dedication from her team as she motivated them to do better.