What is the main focus of transformational leadership?

Transformational leadership primarily centers on developing intrinsic motivation among employees. This leadership style emphasizes inspiring and motivating team members to exceed their self-interests for the sake of the organization and its goals. Transformational leaders achieve this by promoting a vision and encouraging personal and professional growth, which instills a sense of purpose and commitment in their followers.

By nurturing intrinsic motivation, transformational leaders create an environment where employees feel valued and engaged, thus fostering a stronger commitment to the organization's mission. This approach often leads to higher levels of creativity, innovation, and job satisfaction, as employees are driven by their own desires to contribute meaningfully rather than merely complying with rules or striving for extrinsic rewards.

Other options revolve around techniques that do not engage employees on a deeper, more motivational level. Compliance through rules relies on external control rather than inspiring internal drive, while consistent extrinsic rewards may motivate behavior in the short term but do not cultivate long-term engagement or passion. Fostering a competitive atmosphere can sometimes lead to unhealthy rivalry or stress rather than collaboration and personal growth, which are key tenets of transformational leadership.