Transactional or Transformational

Transactional leadership is what most would describe as basic leadership. It focuses on the leader and the follower and there are roles that are either directly or indirectly accepted by both parties. For example, as a front desk agent your leader is your front desk supervisor/manager. There is an indirect acceptance that if they tell you to do something you will do it and if you have a question about something you will most likely go to them.

I work at Tower23 in Pacific Beach. One of my favorite front desk supervisors is my favorite because she has very strong transactional leadership skills. She takes charge when she needs to or if we ask for help but allows us to have some freedom by not micromanaging. Transactional leadership focuses on goals and appropriate instructions to achieve those goals, task, production, and structure. At the front desk we were having issues having “complete” check-ins. Our system is a little weird and we have a lot of extra add-ons we have to ask or tell the guest. We would sometimes miss asking them for their email address, their valet ticket number, or telling them about some of our amenities. So my supervisor made us a checklist that was located at the front desk. She didn’t expect that the checklist would make all of our check ins magically complete but it was a way for us to go over after each check in what we missed and a mental reminder to help us improve each time. For me, I always forgot to ask what their valet number was…over and over again until it was all I could think about. She told me to change the order in which I ask my questions. So immediately after asking for their ID and credit card I would ask what their valet ticket number was. And guess what, it worked!

Transformation leadership is a little different. Instead of being task oriented transformation leaders are more focused on changing the environment and those people in it. They want to make a positive change and enhance relationships of people in the system. They do this by utilizing the 4 I’s. To illustrate the 4 I’s I will talk about a few of my personal experiences with a transformational leader I look up to everyday- My mentor and boss, Doris.

Idealized Influence- this means that leaders lead by example and are great role models. Followers usually emulate the leader and want to be like them. The leader provides a clear vision and mission and the followers trust and respect them. When I first met Doris I was a freshman in college with a new major and a new dream to become an event planner. I had emailed countless event planners about job shadowing/interning and Doris finally gave me a shot. I adored her, she was a young business owner and had a very entrepreneurial (#girlboss) attitude. She was very straight forward and help her business and those who represented it to a very high standard. Our mission was to plan and execute beautiful and flawless events. She spoke about how we would always be on time, people magazine ready, and be confident and proud in our work. She was exactly that. Her confidence shined in everything she did and you could tell she was proud to own this company.

Inspirational Motivation-leaders communicate high expectations to their followers. One way they do so is by storytelling. When I met Doris she said I reminded her of herself. Driven, motivated, and wouldn’t settle for anything but the best. She told me a line that I still remember to this day, "Don't worry, one day I'll be able to say...I remember when..." She would tell stories about how she struggled starting her company, how it was difficult, but it was all worth it. She would tell us how she chose us to be interns because she believed we have the same drive as she does, and can all achieve great things!

Intellectual Stimulation- leaders encourage people to be creative and innovative. They challenge their own beliefs and encourage followers to try new approaches and develop innovative ways to solve problems. Doris is a mastermind at this. She will give interns tasks such deciding how certain decor will be set up. She will ask us how we would solve the problem if there is a problem at hand, and is very open to new ideas or different ways of doing things. I think it is powerful because it gives your followers a sense of importance and makes them feel like they have a voice.

Individualized Consideration- leaders provide support and act as coaches is self-actualization. For me, Doris took me under her wing- literally. I began learning everything from the way she made her timelines to her business tactics. She knew I wanted to be a wedding planner so she has done everything she can to help me get there. Over the years we have developed such a relationship that most of my brides are direct references from Doris.