Transactional Leadership

Knowledge Center

What is Transactional Leadership?

Transactional Leadership is the idea that effective leadership is based on a reciprocal exchange between leaders and followers. "Quid pro Quo". Conventional reward and punishment are used to gain compliance from the employees.

Transactional leadership involves giving employees something in return for their compliance and acceptance of authority, usually in the form of incentives such as pay raises or an increase in status. The theory was propounded in the 1970's by James McGregor Burns, building on earlier work of Max Weber (1947). The theory is is closely linked with its antithesis, Transformational Leadership, which involves moral, rather than tangible, rewards for compliance.

The transactional leader often uses Management by Exception, working on the principle that if something is operating to defined (and hence expected) performance then it does not need attention.

Typical Transactional Leadership behaviors

1. Contingent Reward. Refers to leadership behaviors focused on exchange of resources. That is, leaders provide tangible or intangible support and resources to followers in exchange for their efforts and performance.

2. Management by Exception - Active. Refers to monitoring performance and taking corrective action as necessary. The focus of management by exception is on setting standards.

3. Management by Exception - Passive. A less active version of management by exception in which leaders take a passive approach, intervening only when problems become serious.

4. Laissez-faire. Can be thought of as non-leadership or the avoidance of leadership responsibilities

Assumptions of Transactional Leadership

• People are motivated by reward and punishment.

• Social systems work best with a clear chain of command.

• When people have agreed to do a job, a part of the deal is that they cede all authority to their manager.

• The prime purpose of a subordinate is to do what their manager tells them to do.

Modern organizational experts or theorists would probably not recommend this approach to leadership anymore, although it is probably still quite prevalent.
 

Forum Forum about Transactional Leadership. Drawbacks or Limitations of Transactional Leadership What are the limitations or drawbacks of transactional leadership?... 2   🔥 Transactional or Transformational Approach in HRM? Which approach is more effective and more appropriate for human services (HR) work, transactional or transformational leadership? Why?... 0   2 comments Transactional versus Charismatic Leadership What is the difference between transactional and charismatic leadership?... 0   Not an Attractive Leadership Form It is evident why this type of leadership is not very attractive; sound leadership should evoke a deeper need to serve rather than extrinsic compensation.... 0   Start a new topic about Transactional Leadership Sign up for free

Courses about Transactional Leadership. Beginners Course Advanced Course Course for Experts

Expert Tips Advanced insights about Transactional Leadership. Here you will find professional advices by experts. Consultancy Tips Teaching Tips Practical Implementation Tips How to Combine Transformational and Transactional Leadership? Leadership Development In the book "Transformational and Charismatic Leadership: The Road Ahead", attention is paid to Transformational versus ...

Information Sources Various sources of information regarding Transactional Leadership. Here you will find powerpoints, videos, news, etc. to use in your own lectures and workshops. 10 Leadership Theories in a Nutshell Leadership Theories Overview, Leadership Development, Management Development, Leadership Styles, Coaching, Mentoring This 5-minute video gives a brief overview of 10 theories of leadership, explaining their main differences: 1. The Grea...

Tools Useful tools regarding Transactional Leadership. News Videos Presentations   Books Academic More

Compare with: Management by Exception  |  Leadership Continuum  |  Covert Leadership  |  Charismatic Leadership  |  Seven Surprises for New CEOs (Porter)  |  Active Listening  |  Storytelling  |  Chain of Command  |  Chairman of the Board  |  Chief Executive Officer  |  Management by Exception  |  Span of Control  |  Transformational Leadership  |  Seven Habits (Covey)  |  Level 5 Leadership (Collins)  |  EPIC ADVISERS  |  Core Group Theory  |  Strategic Stakeholder Management  |  SMART  |  Path-Goal  |  Leadership Continuum  |  Situational Leadership  |  Theory X Theory Y  |  4 Dimensions of Relational Work  |  Leadership Styles (Goleman)  |  Strategic Intent  |  Results-Based Leadership

Return to Management Hub: Leadership

More on Management  |  Return to Management Dictionary

This ends our Transactional Leadership summary and forum.