Transformational Theory Of Leadership In Apple Inc.

Many successful leaders have led organizations to growth and prosperity in different ways with diverse leadership styles. Each leader has made decisions based on their context and personal style. In the technology sector, Steve Jobs was the most fervent leader one could hope for. He was an unconventional leader. His leadership style was not the stuff of university textbooks. He was not known for his advice-giving or consensus building approach. Following issues could better describe Steve Jobs leadership style in Apple Inc.

• He forced the company to focus on and make a few great products.

• He admired simplicity; he pushed his colleagues to work hard for making something simple, for understanding the underlying challenges truly and coming

Separately, each theory provides some important insights toward leadership style but fails to lend a foolproof theory. As a whole, these theories provide a many-sided view of leadership while conceptually confronting the suppositions of each theory. In this report, leadership style of Steve Jobs will be evaluated in the light of two popular theories of leadership: Transactional theory and Transformational theory.

Transactional leadership theory

Instead of giving importance to the character of the people (Trait theory) or on the situation (Contingency theory), Transactional leadership theory emphasizes on the procedure of interaction between a leader and his/her followers. Transactional leaders emphasize on getting things done within the umbrella of the status quo. They work within the given system and strictly follow the organizational norms and values. Transactional leadership theory comprises two main interaction processes: contingent reward leadership and management by exception. Contingent reward leadership lets leaders to- make clear the roles and tasks expected of their followers, provide appropriate instructions and structure, set off proper rewards,

This indicates that Steve remained focused and pushed his followers to concentrate hundred percent on the development of selected products and ideas.

Steve’s passion to show people the future potential of a product portrays the visionary approach in his leadership style. He used to convey his innovative ideas to his followers. He persistently motivated and roused his team members by delivering inspirational speeches to convert innovative ideas and knowledge into an admirable product. Like a transformational leader, Jobs made every effort to bring and hand over innovative digital technology to consumers; and thus made them open their wallet contentedly.

Steve was also known for immense self-confidence and zero forbearance for slip-ups from his team members. Most of the time, Steve was autocratic and made decisions personally or with a small number of executives. This added focus and gravity in the goal and vision accomplishment that were articulated by Jobs. Instead of being democratic, Steve insisted on holistic involvement of every co-worker in the goal accomplishment. Such capability to persuade followers to vision and mission accomplishment is one of the key features of the transformational leadership