Essay About James Burns And James Fisher

Theory of Leadership
Essay title: Theory of Leadership
While I would like to believe I am a transformational leader, there are times I find that I
demonstrate the characteristics of the transactional theory in my everyday practice in
formal leadership roles. Transformational leadership theory, as I understand it as
described by James Burns, “looks for potential motives in followers, their needs, values,
and morals” and “involves attempts by leaders to move individuals to higher standards of
moral responsibility”. James Fisher describes the transformational leader as one who is
decisive, assertive, and visionary.
On the other hand, transactional theory views leadership as a mutual and reciprocating
process of exchange between leaders and followers. This type of leadership may seem to
be more “managerial” than “leadership” because it relies on what is reasonable and
sensible rather than on cherisma and power. I tend to believe that this theory leans more
toward the practical aspects of communication, and to the process of distributed
leadership, and to facilitating rather than directing. This then leads one to believe that
their leadership is demonstrated by Team Leader, a high – high for behavorial
theories, according to the Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid (1985). I invision a team
environment in which all team members can reach their highest potential, both as team
members