Do you run your own purpose driven business? 

Do you have a community of clients?

Do you employ or outsource parts of your business to other people? 

Have you got a Vision for your business that’s aligned to who you are and the impact you want to make in the world?

You are a leader.

Over the years, coaching ambitious, purpose driven business owners I have seen many times clients shying away from accepting themselves as a leader in their field. They fear what they have been conditioned to believe that label means. The traditional stereotype of what a leader looks like and behaves like simply doesn’t suit them or how they are running their business. 

What is a leader? 

According to the Collins English dictionary, it’s ‘a person or thing that leads; directing, commanding, or guiding head, as of a group or activity.’ This definition, particularly the aspect of ‘commanding’,  is rooted in masculine energy and long standing patriarchal power over dynamics. For many of my clients this is hard to align with. It results in a fear of being identified as such, it can actually hold visionaries back from growing teams or leading communities. It means they are losing money in their business and worst still, not living up to their true calling. 

I believe that being a leader is more than this. As a modern leader the concept of Transformational Leadership is more compatible with the definition that my clients identify with. 

A leader can influence an organisation's approach to workload, change, acceptance of innovation and mental well-being of team members, therefore it’s important to recognise the traits and qualities a leader can bring to this.

What is Transformational Leadership? 

Transformational Leaders have the following traits:

• Leading with a Vision
• Being proactive and responsive to change and challenges
• Able to win hearts and minds of all stakeholders
• Innovative and creative allowing for change and flexibility of approaches
• Accepting others people’s ideas
• Able to motivate and inspire
• A ‘pull’ leadership style

Transformational Leaders work for the needs of the people in their organisation and build commitment through motivation and inspiration. I’d also add that as part of your Vision you know you are making an impact on the world in some way. Whether that be through your products/services, your ethics or the fact you can contribute to charities or causes as a consequence of your success, what you do makes a difference, let’s face it we desperately need more of this type of leadership in the current global recovery! 

The 4 Is

In the 80s, Barnard Bass created the concept of the 4 Is and these are important to your leadership style.

A Transformational Leader role models behaviour in terms of how they are willing to achieve their Vision. They set the example of what they want to see from those who join the team. He called this ‘Idealised Influence.’

Clarity of Vision and great communication of this creates ‘Inspirational Motivation’, whereby people are willing to follow their lead to realise the goals set. 

A Transformational Leader sets achievable and purpose driven goals that team members want to drive forward. 

A Transformational Leader creates systems and opportunities to embrace innovation and creativity in bringing processes, products and services to market. They empower team members to bring and deliver these ideas without micro managing. 

‘Intellectual Stimulation’ is the life blood of the organisation and celebrated. Team ideas are appreciated and embraced in the company strategy. 

Understanding and meeting the needs of the individuals in an organisation is important to a Transformational Leader. They appreciate that this is the best way to get the most from individuals and a tailored approach allows clients’ needs to be met and team members thrive. ‘Individualised Consideration’ is a high priority in organisational culture.

However, whilst the Transformational Leadership concept aligns well with clients it doesn’t mean the work finishes there. With this leadership style comes a sense of greater responsibility. The ‘Mean Little Cow’ voice (inner critic) and accompanying saboteurs can trigger feelings of ‘Imposter Syndrome’ or ‘Comparisonitis’. This can have you freezing or running and hiding. Can you see that in yourself? 

How do you resolve these limits in belief around being a Transformational Leader?

A variety of RISE Method© work to overcome limiting beliefs around what being a Transformational Leader means for the client, identifying their own saboteurs, and creating a more personal definition of Leadership with a clear Vision allows clients to embrace the Leadership label they have been hiding from for so long. Work needs to happen in your business, but how you do it and how people receive it depends on your leadership style. 

Do you want to be a Transformational Leader or a Transactional Leader*? It’s a decision you can choose.

Having identified this stumbling block for many working towards their Vision, I knew I had to create a mini coach training to allow you to step into your true calling and embrace your own definition of leadership. You'll feel excited driving your Vision forward taking your clients and team members happily with you.

If you’d like to join us CLICK HERE for booking and full details. 

(*Transactional Leadership is reactive and demands compliance through rewards and punishments) 

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“Being self employed in a solo business often left me with a feeling of lack of support and verification that I was moving in the right direction at all…Michala has helped to shape the way I see my life and business direction in a much more positive light. She has helped keep me on track more than I ever have before and has been there when I need the support the most. She also often goes above and beyond what is expected and I am hugely grateful for this.” Helen Maher, UK