Becoming a Transformational Leader

"Transformational leadership is not just about inspiring change in others; it's about evolving yourself to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world."- Lisa L. Baker

Throughout the month, we have made the case for transformational leadership in this ever-changing world. That naturally begs the question: What is a transformational leader, and how do I become one?

Below, we explore the essential elements of the Transformational Leadership Framework as we dig deeper into what it takes to lead in the modern world. This model offers a holistic approach to developing the skills that will help you usher in a new era for your team.

It’s as simple as Being, Seeing, Saying, and Doing!

Be: Cultivate Authenticity Through Self-Awareness

Being is the first component of the framework, emphasizing the value of authenticity and self-awareness. As a leader, especially a transformational one, it is necessary to plug into your beliefs, values, and feelings. When you know who you are and are comfortable showing it, your actions are consistent, and you gain trust and credibility with peers, employees, clients, and everyone else you come across.

To build your self-awareness muscles:

• Reflect Often: Take the time to look inside yourself. Pay attention to your strengths, areas for improvement, energy levels, and true motivations.

• Seek Feedback: Occasionally, there is a disconnect between what we think we are projecting and what is received. That's why input from others is invaluable. Solicit honest feedback from various sources to get a 360-degree review of your leadership style. You can also leverage your Personal Board of Advisors.

• Employ Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation are known to keep us grounded in the present and are effective stress managers so you can keep your cool and carry on through any crisis.

See: Understand the Bigger Picture

Seeing in this framework isn’t about using your eyes. It’s about comprehending your organization’s place in a broader context. It's about having foresight, which helps you to perceive opportunities and threats. By knowing the market you operate in, trends and changes on the horizon, and the potential impact of world events, you’ll always be a step or two ahead. As a transformational leader, you must be able to look ahead and adapt accordingly.

To get better at seeing the long view:

• Stay Informed: Read the trades! By staying on top of industry news regularly, you’ll get better at spotting technological trends and global events that may impact your work.

• Think System-wide: Most companies have many moving pieces. Knowing how the different departments influence each other can help you design workflows that readily adapt to change.

• Focus on the Future: Having a clear vision of long-term goals for your organization will also help you plan for the short term and guard against potential disruptions.

Say: Communicate Effectively

Transformational leadership would flounder without effective communication. Your ability to clearly articulate your vision is essential to your success. Moreover, it's how you gain buy-in and create a culture that allows open dialogue. Beyond getting your message out, you must also listen actively to what your team is saying and earnestly consider the team's ideas and concerns.

To keep your communication skills sharp:

• Be a Visionary: Craft a vision that reflects the values and goals of your organization or the team you lead, and be able to share it in a way that resonates with others.

• Listen Actively: Pay close attention to the perspective of your team members, and be sure to engage those who might be on the quieter side. Building trust while gathering great ideas is a win-win.

• Foster Dialogue: When you develop an environment where everyone feels seen and heard, people become even more comfortable sharing feedback – and they will feel valued, reducing turnover and boosting morale.

Do: Turn Vision into Action

Finally, we take vision and turn it into a reality through what we do. That is where the rubber meets the road: as a transformational leader, you will mobilize the troops, aligning their work with overarching goals and embracing inspiration and creativity.

To translate your vision into action:

• Get SMART: Outline goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) – and be sure they align with the vision.

• Empower People: You are not an island. And you cannot do it all on your own. So why not give the people around you autonomy and authority? When you do so, you get the satisfaction of watching them soar – with your expert guidance and support.

• Be An Innovation Lab: When experimentation is encouraged, innovation flourishes. Learn that learning from failure is an art. And challenge your team to try new ways of thinking rather than getting stuck in the status quo.

As you practice these principles – Be, See, Say, and Do - you’ll soon expand the possibilities within your reach. It’s imperative to keep up with the changes happening around us. But it is even more important to be the change and become a leader for the future.??

Finally, if you want to learn more on this topic, I highly recommend downloading the Nebo Company white paper on transformational leadership here.??