A Review of Transformational Leadership Models and its Linkage to the Scholarship/Practice/Leadership Model

Grace S. Thomson, Nevada State College

Abstract

The success of organizations is the result of a combination of factors: financial, material and technological resources, logistics, and human capital.

These factors are put together to achieve the desired goals consistent with the corporate mission. In this context, firms are in constant seeking of the best individuals who will lead and carry out this journey to success. These individuals are expected to have special characteristics that ensure that their actions will turn out into positive results for the organization. These extraordinary individuals are the leaders.

This document will present a discussion of four leadership theories, their similarities and differences and their relationship with the Scholarship/Practice/Leadership (SPL) model. The first section of this paper will present the components of the SPL model and the way they interrelate. The second section will explain the characteristics of four selected leadership theories using as focal point the behaviors of leaders and their impact on organizational outcomes. The third section of the document will address how each theory fit within the SPL model. Finally, in the fourth section this work presents a discussion about contemporary leadership issues and challenges that might be addressed using the cited leadership theories.