‘Transformational’ Leaders Make a Difference

OVERVIEW:The transformational leader strives to achieve results beyond what is normally expected by inspiring a sense of importance about the project group's mission, by stimulating professional employees to think about the problem or task in new ways, and by emphasizing group goals over personal self-interest. A study of 66 industrial R&D project groups found transformational leadership to account for higher project quality in research projects. In development projects, however, a more directive style of leadership explained higher project quality. Guidelines for effective leadership are suggested.