Transactional vs. Transformational Leadership

Transactional and Transformational leadership both focus on the leader and follower, but Transformational leadership takes Transactional leadership to the next level by going beyond satisfying the current needs of employees through reward to moving followers toward achievement and growth. Transactional leadership only gives rewards based on effort and recognition only when something is done wrong. Where Transformational leadership on the other hand, gives reward for personal achievement and recognition when something is done right. Transformational leaders go beyond their own self-development and help coach and progress their followers. They expect high performance from their employees while articulating a vision for the future and stimulating followers intellectually by creating work with meaning. Transformational leadership commits to providing workers with tools and resources, both extrinsic and intrinsic, which allow them to flourish.

While searching my brain through all the leaders I’ve encountered in the past, only one stood out to me as a Transformational leader. His name was Stan, a sommelier at The Santaluz Club. As the sommelier, he was in charge of the wine program as well as managing the dining room. What caused me to think of him as a Transformational leader was all the coaching and recognition he gave his employees. Every day in preshift he would either take us through a guided tasting of a new wine on the wine list or have a small, friendly competition on wine knowledge with wine flashcards. He was sure to recognize each and every employee when we received positive comments from members and even implemented a feedback board where we could post these comments. It was a way to bring the team together and support one another while learning along the way. I attribute most of my current wine knowledge to his coaching. He even helped Foodies out last April by volunteering his time to take our students on a guided tasting during our annual wine event. I took away a lot from his leadership style not only in my personal development but aspects of how I would like to interact with my followers some day.