Authentic leadership vs transformational leadership, difference, pros and cons

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What is the difference between authentic and transformational leadership? Both are important, but which one is better for your company? While the two might share some similarities, they also have unique pros and cons. It’s important to know the difference so that you can choose the right path for your company. Knowing which type of leadership you are can help you better understand how to be an effective leader. This article will explore authentic leadership vs transformational leadership, pros and cons and situations where they are best suited. Read on!

What is authentic leadership and what is transformational leadership?

There are many different styles of leadership, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Authentic leadership is often seen as the gold standard, as it emphasizes honesty, integrity, and transparency. Transformational leadership, on the other hand, is focused on inspiring change and motivating team members. Both styles of leadership can be effective in certain situations, but it’s important to choose the right style for the task at hand.

Authentic leaders are typically seen as honest and trustworthy. They are open about their intentions and transparent in their decision-making. This can inspire confidence in team members, as they know that they can trust their leader to be honest with them. However, authentic leaders may also be perceived as weak or indecisive if they are too transparent.

Transformational leaders are focused on inspiring change. They are often passionate and enthusiastic, and they work to motivate team members to achieve common goals. Transformational leaders can be very effective when leading a team through a difficult situation or challenging project. However, if a transformational leader is not careful, they may come across as pushy or bossy.

It’s important to choose the right style of leadership for the situation at hand. An authentic leader may not be effective in a crisis situation, whereas a transformational leader may excel in this type of situation. It’s important to assess the needs of the team and the task at hand before choosing a leadership style.

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What are the main differences between authentic leadership and transformational leadership?

Authentic leaders are those who lead with integrity and are committed to building trusting relationships with their followers. They focus on creating a positive work environment and emphasize the importance of doing what is right, even when it is not popular. Transformational leaders, on the other hand, focus on setting a vision for their organizations and inspiring others to achieve it. They are often seen as more visionary and innovative than authentic leaders, and they tend to be more effective in rapidly changing or chaotic environments.

While both styles have their strengths, transformational leaders are generally more successful in achieving long-term goals and inspiring lasting change.

Pros of authentic leadership over transformational leadership

  1. Authentic leadership helps to build trust between the leader and the team. This is because authentic leaders are always honest and transparent, which instills a sense of trust and confidence in their team.
  2. Authentic leaders are more likely to encourage open communication, which further enhances the level of trust within the team.
  3. Authentic leadership creates a more positive work environment. This is because employees feel valued and respected when they are able to have a say in how the company is run. As a result, they are more likely to be productive and engaged with their work.
  4. Authentic leadership also tends to lead to better decision-making. This is because leaders who are open and honest about their intentions are more likely to take input from others before making decisions. As a result, they are less likely to make impulsive decisions that could end up being harmful to the company.

Overall, there are many benefits of authentic leadership over transformational leadership. However, it is important to remember that the best leader is one who is able to adapt their style to fit the needs of their team.

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Pros of transformational leadership over authentic leadership

  1. Transformational leadership is often seen as the more effective style of leadership, especially in today’s rapidly changing and competitive business landscape. This is because transformational leaders are able to inspire and motivate employees to achieve common goals. They do this by clearly articulating the company’s vision and offering employees a sense of purpose.
  2. Transformational leaders are able to create a culture of trust and respect, which can lead to increased employee satisfaction and engagement.
  3. Transformational leaders are often adept at change management, which is critical in today’s ever-changing business environment.

While there are certainly pros and cons to both styles of leadership, it’s clear that transformational leadership has many advantages over authentic leadership.

Cons of transformational leadership over authentic leadership

Though both styles have their benefits, there are some clear cons to transformational leadership over authentic leadership:

  1. One of the biggest dangers of transformational leadership is that it can quickly become manipulative, with leaders using their influence to gain personal benefit rather than working for the good of the team.
  2. Transformational leaders often rely on hot-button issues to maintain their support, which can result in a hostile environment if dissenting opinions are not tolerated.
  3. Transformational leaders often create a cult of personality, which can lead to difficult working conditions and a lack of transparency.

While authentic leadership also has its flaws, its emphasis on trust and mutual respect may make it a more effective style in the long run.

Cons of authentic leadership over transformational leadership

While both authentic and transformational leadership styles have their advantages, there are also a few potential disadvantages to consider:

  1. One downside of authentic leadership is that it can sometimes be difficult to maintain a consistent vision. As the leader, it is your responsibility to articulate the goals of the organization clearly and inspire your team to work towards them. However, if you are too focused on your own personal values and beliefs, it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.
  2. Authentic leaders may also have trouble delegating or accepting input from others, as they may feel that only they know what is best for the organization. While this level of commitment can be admirable, it can also lead to problems if the leader becomes too overbearing or inflexible. Transformational leaders, on the other hand, may have difficulty maintaining control over their team. This style of leadership relies heavily on delegation and empowering others to take charge. While this can often lead to more creativity and innovation, it can also mean that the leader has less direct control over what is happening within the organization.
  3. Transformational leaders may sometimes struggle to stay motivated when things are not going according to plan. This is because they tend to be more idealistic and focused on long-term goals, which can make it difficult to stay motivated in the face of setbacks.

Ultimately, both authentic and transformational leadership styles have their own pros and cons. As a leader, you will need to decide which style is best suited for you and your organization.

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Situations when authentic leadership is better than transformational leadership

Authentic leadership is more effective in situations where there is already a strong sense of team cohesion and trust. This style of leadership focuses on maintaining existing relationships and setting clear expectations. As a result, it can help to keep a team on track and moving forward even in challenging circumstances.

On the other hand, transformational leadership is more effective in situations where a team is either new or struggling. This style of leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating others to reach their full potential. By doing so, it can help to build trust and cohesion within a team, laying the foundation for future success.

In short, both styles of leadership have their own time and place. The best leader will know when to use each one in order to achieve the best results.

Situations when transformational leadership is better than authentic leadership

Transformational leadership and authentic leadership are two popular frameworks for understanding and motivating people. While both approaches have their benefits, there are some situations where transformational leadership is more effective than authentic leadership.

One such situation is when there is a need for change. Transformational leaders are skilled at inspiring people to embrace new ideas and ways of doing things, making them ideal for leading during periods of transition.

Another situation where transformational leadership is preferable is when there is a need for high levels of creativity and innovation. Transformational leaders create an environment that encourages risk-taking and creativity, while authentic leaders may be more likely to stick to tried-and-true methods.

Ultimately, whether transformational or authentic leadership is more effective depends on the specific situation and goals.

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Authentic leadership vs transformational leadership Summary

Transformational leadership and authentic leadership are two different types of leadership styles, with their own unique set of pros and cons. It’s important to understand when each style is most effective so you can choose the right one for your organization or individual needs. Have you tried using transformational or authentic leadership in your own work? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

1 thought on “Authentic leadership vs transformational leadership, difference, pros and cons”

  1. Balasubramanian E

    Thanks for giving the brief information about transformational and authentic leadership which helps me to better understand these leadership styles and when to apply those in the workplace.

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Hidayat Rizvi
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