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[Abstract] The purpose of this study is to provide a conceptual framework of the behaviors needed to be an effective leader. The authors provide an interdisciplinary model for leader effectiveness and to classify four essential behaviors needed to identify transformational leaders as: 1) a vision-builder; 2) a standardbearer; 3) an integrator; and 4) a developer. According to leadership pioneers such as Peter Drucker, John McCall, Luther Gulick and others, these behaviors are vital for effective leadership within any industry. As a result, this study identifies basic behaviors essential to effective leaders and connects them to a conceptual model of transformational leadership.
[Keywords] behaviors, transformation leadership; organization;
Leadership Model Alignment
Much of the current leadership research focuses on the characteristics leaders need to be effective. Other research begins to identify the behaviors of effective leaders. The research that begins to identify behaviors tends to be focused on specific professions versus providing one integrating model of behaviors for leadership effectiveness. There is still another group of research that is not clear whether it is discussing attributes of the leaders, skills leaders need, or what leaders must do. The four behaviors identified by the authors of this study are framed as things leaders must do to be effective.
The transformational leadership model has its roots in charismatic leadership, which further developed into transactional leadership. Transactional leadership progressed into the transformational leadership model. The transformational leadership model continues to contain several branches including charismatic leadership, transformational leadership, and visionary leadership (McCann et al., 2006). This article focuses on where the model posited intersects with the current models to further define these relationships.
We identify four major behavior categories connected to transformational leadership that we hypothesize effective leaders need. These behaviors are vision-builder, standard-bearer, integrator, and developer. As these behavior categories have been further defined they intersect with the transformational leadership model presented.
These authors have developed an interdisciplinary leadership model based on the behaviors found in transformational leadership theory. This model is consistent with findings in current transformational leadership research in that leaders have an impact on organizational culture. From a functionalist perspective leaders are responsible for culture change "either through substantive, visible actions or through the symbolic roles they play" (Meindl, Ehrlich, & Dukerich, 1985 as...