S5E12 - Transformational Leadership

The world is facing many challenging situations that require strong leadership. Even if you aren’t in a “leadership position,” you can be a leader. Transformational leaders are those who empower and enable those around them to achieve their highest potential. In doing so, their teams thrive. In this episode, we hear from Bianca Thompson-Owen as she shares her thoughts and reflections on various leadership styles, how failure is a key to growth, and ways that transformational leaders bring out the best in their people.  

Key Takeaways:

• Everyone in your organization has the capacity to be a leader. Yes, even you. Getting people to think of themselves as leaders and to recognize the ways that they are already leaders is an important part of being a transformational leader yourself.

• Transformational leaders empower others to empower themselves. They lead by example, are reflective, empathetic, and solution-oriented. They are change agents, and focused on bringing about meaningful change at their organizations. 

• Transformational leadership is an ongoing process. There is not a “one and done” action that you can do and say “I’m a transformational leader.” It takes self-reflection, vulnerability, a willingness to be adaptable and flexible, and a willingness to change. 

Hosts:

Doug McKenna, University Registrar
George Mason University
cmckenn@gmu.edu 

Sarah Reed, University Registrar
University of California - Berkeley
sjr@berkeley.edu 

Guest:
Bianca Thompson-Owen
Associate  Dean for Enrollment Management, Student Success, and Student Affairs
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences – School of Health Professions
thompsbm@shp.rutgers.edu 

Additional Resources:

https://21stcenturylab.lincoln.ac.uk/ten-grand-challenges/

https://hbr.org/2004/01/understanding-leadership

https://for-managers.com/effective-leadership/

The Seven Habits model, by Stephen Covey

Transformational Leadership: A Comprehensive Review of Theory and Research by Bernard M. Bass, Ronald E. Riggio
Transformational Leadership: A Blueprint for Real Organizational Change,  by Randy Dobbs, Paul Robert Walker
7 Principles of Transformational Leadership: Create a Mindset of Passion, Innovation, and Growth by Hugh Blane  

Leadership Is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say--and What You Don't by L. David Marquet 

How’s the Culture in Your Kingdom?: Lessons from a Disney Leadership Journey by Dan Cockerell 

Core Competencies and Professional Proficiencies:

Leadership and Management - Core Competencies

Diversity and Inclusion - Core Competency