Affiliation:
1. Director of Nursing and Quality Professional and System Leadership, NHS England and Improvement (London Region); Regional Lead (London), Chief Nursing Officer's Black and Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group; BJHCA Board Member
Abstract
Transformational leadership is a leadership style that is often compared to and contrasted with transactional leadership. Where the latter tends to be more task-orientated and has a part to play in specific managerial contexts, transformational leadership focuses on the power of relationships to inspire others to achieve a shared vision, with longer lasting effects. The benefits of transformational leadership place it as one of the most applied leadership styles in health care, with positive impacts seen on the workforce, organisational productivity, and patient outcomes. Developing transformational leaders across all levels of an organisation is strongly recommended, due to the benefits highlighted in the literature. Any organisation wishing to grow its transformational leaders must first identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors within the organisation and its culture that could act as obstacles. Authors are in agreement that the skills, knowledge and behaviours of a transformational leader can be learnt, therefore investment in such development programmes is important. This article explores the importance of transformational leadership and how staff can develop the competencies required to grow as a transformational leader in health and social care.