Transactional Leadership


Organisations often believe that transformational leaders offer a magic bullet to attain higher workforce performance. Learn why transactional leadership styles are also beneficial and how to measure leadership effectively.

Technique Overview

Transactional Leadership

Transactional Leadership Definition

Transactional leadership refers to a "transaction or exchange of something of value the leader possesses or controls that the follower wants in return for his/her services. The relations of most leaders and followers are transactional: leaders approach followers with an eye to exchanging one thing for another: jobs for votes, or subsidies for campaign contributions" (Burns, 1978).

Transactional Leadership Description *

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Business Evidence

Strengths, weaknesses and examples of Transactional Leadership *

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Business Application

Implementation, success factors and measures of Transactional Leadership *

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Professional Tools

Transactional Leadership videos and downloads *

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Further Reading

Transactional Leadership web and print resources *

Transactional Leadership references (4 of up to 20) *

  • Barbuto, J.E., & Brown, L.L. (2000). Full range leadership, D-27. Retrieved August 19, 2006 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln “NebGuide” website.
  • Bass, M., & Avolio, B. (1992). Developing transformational leadership: 1992 and beyond. Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol.14, pp.21-37.
  • Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and Performance Beyond Expectations. New York: Free Press.
  • Bass, B. M. (1990). From transactional to transformational leadership: Learning to share the vision. Organizational Dynamics, (Winter): 19-31.

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