Transformational Leadership: idealistic or realistic?

Linda Renton. School Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapy, School of health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, Edinburgh, UK, EH21 6UU. lrenton@qmu.ac.uk Word Limit: 236. Background: Transformational... [ view full abstract ]

Linda Renton.
School Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapy, School of health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, Edinburgh, UK, EH21 6UU. lrenton@qmu.ac.uk

Word Limit: 236.

Background:
Transformational leadership can be seen as both idealistic and realistic. Whilst studying for a Professional Doctorate the author encountered and explored transformational leadership in relation to higher education and in this paper she widens the scope, critiquing, exploring and investigating the topic of transformational leadership in relation to occupational therapy education and practice.
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Educational Philosophy or theory:
The four foundational components of transformational leadership are idealised influence, inspirational motivation, individualised consideration and intellectual stimulation (Burns 1978). This however at times reads like an idealised and unrealistic list of attributes and the literature critiquing transformational leadership introduces a realistic grounding to the topic.

Educational approach and evaluation used: Through a critical review of the literature the theme of transformational leadership will be critically explored and the question of transformational leadership being both realistic and idealistic will be confronted. The literature will be evaluated, synthesised and related to examples from occupational therapy practice and education into a coherent presentation.

Application to Education and /or practice: the work is relevant to occupational therapists with an interest in leadership, and with examples being used from both practice and higher education, occupational therapists in both higher education and practice will find the presentation specifically pertinent.


References :
BURNS, J.,1978. Leadership. New York: Harper and Raw.