Transformational Leadership: A Case of Barack Obama-Nursing Paper Examples

A Case of Barack Obama

Transformational leadership is an approach to leadership that involves changing individuals and social systems. Ideally, transformational leadership creates positive and valuable changes among subordinates. The end goal of these changes is to develop followers into leaders in their capacity. The primary focus is to motivate followers/subordinates. More so, to create changes, be innovative, and shape the future of an organizational structure (Tepper et al., 2018) (A Case of Barack Obama).

Consequently, followers develop morale and improve performance based on various mechanisms implemented by a leader. The primary mechanisms commonly used by transformational leaders include individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation, and idealized influence. These mechanisms are essential in pushing transformational leaders and their employees to higher standards and better outcomes.

The concept of transformational leadership is applicable across the business world, organizations, and politics. The essay uses the former president of the United States, Barack Obama, as an example of a transformational leader. Subsequently, describing how he exemplified transformational leadership through his actions (A Case of Barack Obama).

Barack Obama remains considered as one of the most efficient leaders globally. His leadership was exemplary, and many institutions continue to study his leadership engagements, traits, and style. From his time before becoming the most powerful man in the world, during and after his tenure as the US president, Barack Obama has depicted the qualities of a transformational leader.

Through aggressive, brilliant, resilient, and persistent policies, Obama leveraged every aspect of the power granted by the office of the American presidency. More so, to promote peace, safety, and a sense of belonging. Consequently, not only in the USA but also as a global leader in the 21^st century. Therefore, evaluating every essence of Barack Obama’s leadership principle is necessary (A Case of Barack Obama).

One of how Obama exemplified transformational leadership was through individualized consideration. Individualized consideration refers to how a leader responds to every follower’s needs. Hence, mentoring them, and listening to every concern (Khan et al., 2020). When Obama campaigned for the presidency, his common slogan was, “Yes, we can,”. Moreover, which gave every American across every social class hope in their abilities and a better future A Case of Barack Obama.

Barack Obama was very vocal on issues that affected American society. Notably, equality and equal rights regarding sexual orientation and racism. Obama gave people a voice, arguing that although he believed in marriage between a man and a woman, he and every other American had an obligation to ensure the LGBTQ share the same right or citizenship. Consequently, which affords access to social services, including hospitals. In addition, guaranteeing the right to transfer property and preventing discrimination at workplaces(A Case of Barack Obama).

The actions of Barack Obama during his tenure showed his inner concern for his people and the pressing social concerns. A study by Bodilenyane & and Mooketsane (2019) showed that transformational leaders remains committed to mentoring followers to transform their attributes and behaviors. Barack Obama’s empathy and support through effective communication were crucial in transforming people’s perception. More so of the middle and low class, people of color, and the LGBTQ (A Case of Barack Obama).

As such, there has been a significant amount of respect and celebration of ethical and sexual orientation in the United States. The aspirations and motivation driven by his actions were so immense. Consequently, that the US achieved some level of unity, a feat that was observable not only locally but globally. This remains possible through Obama’s ability to listen, advise, and mentor citizens. More so, through his moving speech as a presidential aspirant, president, and former president.

Barack Obama also exemplified transformational leadership through intellectual stimulation. Intellectual stimulation is a concept of the transformational leadership approach. Moreover, that describes the extent to which a leader challenges norms, takes risks, and uses followers’ opinions (Khan et al., 2020). Such leaders can encourage and stimulate their followers’ creativity and innovativeness. Creativity and innovation remains foundational for changing the status quo and transforming how things remain done in particular jurisdictions(A Case of Barack Obama).

A significant example of how Barack Obama challenged the status quo was his introduction of Obamacare to ensure every American had access to an affordable health insurance plan. Initially, families of income struggled to afford health insurance, and Obama made use of ideas from his close aides and his intellectual capacity to propose, pass, and implement Obamacare (A Case of Barack Obama). 

The other way Obama promoted intellectual stimulation is his concern for the persistent division between Islam and America. According to Barack Obama, Islam and America are non-exclusive, and there is no need for the two to compete in terms of ideologies or any other divisive factor. Farahnak et al. (2020) noted that transformational leadership remains characterized by the leader’s ability. More so to support positive relationships among followers and participate in adopting evidence-based strategies to solve existing problems.

Obama’s position on the relationship between Islam and America was that overlapping and common principles associated with justice and progressive tolerance, including all-inclusive dignities for everyone. These new principles facilitated change in how Islam is perceived in the United States and discarded old beliefs and assumptions, leading to a more integrated American society. This shows that a leader’s actions are crucial in changing people’s attitudes towards adopting new thought processes, including innovations. Such leaders are also capable of nurturing and developing independent thought processes among followers (A Case of Barack Obama).

In terms of technology, President Obama was at the forefront of ensuring technological advancement in the United States. Significant support for innovation remained through the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership initiative. Consequently, in which Obama convened leading minds in education, science, and industry. Moreover, to ensure that revolutionary products were invented and assembled in the US (A Case of Barack Obama).

The National Network of Manufacturing Innovation and advanced engineering schools remain considered as institutes of excellence in innovation. Through these ideas, Barack Obama promoted innovation among Americans, encouraging them to transcend personal interests for the sake of the US and its citizens.

Furthermore, Barack Obama epitomized transformational leadership by inspiring motivation among citizens. In the transformational leadership approach, inspirational motivations describe the extent to which leader share their vision in an appealing and inspiring manner (Khan et al., 2020). Through inspirational motivation, leaders challenge their followers to be optimistic about their goals or shared goals and aim for higher standards(A Case of Barack Obama).

Significantly, such leaders provide meaning for the present situation and the need for a sense of purpose through motivation. For instance, Obama inspired young people to think about their present situation in education or the workplace and identify actions they can take for the next phase of their lives. Obama confirmed that he remain committed to helping and preparing the next generation of leadership (A Case of Barack Obama).

Obama demonstrated charisma based on his ability to arouse excitement and assurance among the people. Taking you back to his campaign rallies, Obama drew massive crowds, and artists lined up songs founded on his ideologies. In his public address, Obama clicked with the audience, recognizing the failure of America and assuring the people of better days with his leadership.

According to Tepper et al. (2018), transformational leaders have the intrinsic ability to motivate their followers and are competent in driving performance beyond expectations. Significantly, intrinsic motivation is vital for psychological empowerment (Tepper et al., 2018). Consequently, Obama guided Americans in forgetting about their past and rising together from previous and present challenges to shape the vision of the future (A Case of Barack Obama).

The idealized influence is the last aspect of transformational leadership demonstrated by Barack Obama. The concept of idealized influence among transformational leaders is shown by the leader’s ability to act as a role model and exude ethical behavior, cultural pride, respect, and trust among followers (Khan et al., 2020). As such, transformational leaders demonstrate to followers how to address issues acceptably affecting the family (A Case of Barack Obama).

He is considered a role model to people across every social divide considering his kindness, resilience, and intelligence, a trait he combined through eloquent speeches. Obama attracted admiration from citizens of the US as he instilled hope among people who felt the American dream was lost.

Moreover, transformational leaders demonstrate principles and actions from which people can learn. A study by Budur & and Poturak (2021) showed that role modeling is a crucial trait among transformational leaders through which determination to achieve desired goals is demonstrated to followers. In this regard, such leaders act as role models to the subordinates as they gain a following, trust, and admiration (A Case of Barack Obama).

Obama once implored the people to trust the government with the roles that it is established to do, such as promoting the people and their common welfare, without which everything could be lost. Obama’s concerns and actions demonstrate the importance of people’s trust in the government, the need for shared goals, and ethical behavior among (A Case of Barack Obama).

In conclusion, the transformational leadership approach is ideal for transforming the status quo of society, including issues that affect peace, technological advancement, ethical leadership, motivation of followers, and promoting innovation. Barack Obama demonstrated every aspect of transformational leadership, leading to public admiration, transforming American society, and remaining a role model for many. Therefore, the transformational leadership approach is ideal for transforming the performance of many entities, including educational, entrepreneurial, and political institutions.

References

Bodilenyane, K., & Mooketsane, K. (2019). Transformational leadership and mentoring: A panacea for capacity building. International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternative (IPADA). http://hdl.handle.net/10386/2709

Budur, T., & Poturak, M. (2021). Transformational leadership and its impact on customer satisfaction. Measuring mediating effects of organizational citizenship behaviors. Middle East Journal of Management, 8(1), 67-91. https://doi.org/10.1504/MEJM.2021.111997

Farahnak, L. R., Ehrhart, M. G., Torres, E. M., & Aarons, G. A. (2020). Transformational leadership and leader attitudes influence subordinate attitudes and implementation success. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 27(1), 98-111. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051818824529 Tepper, B. J., Dimotakis, N., Lambert, L. S., Koopman, J., Matta, F. K., Man Park, H., & Goo, W. (2018). Examining follower responses to transformational leadership from a dynamic, person–environment fit perspective. Academy of Management Journal, 61(4), 1343-1368. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2014.0163