Chapter 8 Response

I think that transformational leadership is very interesting. I think it is a very humbling approach to leadership, seeking those traits in others and trying to cohesively collect others around a common theme. 

The approach i would pick is the Kotter and Heskett: How Leaders Build Culture. I think that in any team, organization, group, club, or any group of people, a common sense of purpose and cultural identity is a real driving factor in overall participation and performance. The four strategies used by these types of leaders are:

1. Creation of the need for change

2. Development of a direction-setting vision

3. Broad-based communication of the vision 

4. Encouraging subordinate managers to take leadership action

The main concept has defined a set of leadership actions, some of which are behaviors and others of which seem to be more like traits or characteristics of leaders. The leaders need to have an outsiders perspective, yet an insiders knowledge. 

I think the main concept is really unique and i wish more major organizations could get past themselves and see the big picture and motivate those internally to try and adapt and change to fit the overall need. A transformational leader has a very difficult task, yet if done correctly and with the right support, is a terrific approach!