ature is increasingly being focused upon the need of leaders to care about the development of their followers---a focus that can be recognized as applicable to church leadership. And, Crawford states, that it is currently recognized that the best leaders in any business, organization, agency, or institution are what has come to be known as "transformational leaders."
A transformational or transforming leader acts to maximize the needs of the followers as well as to stimulate the entire organization (company, school, church, etc.) toward goal accomplishment. The term "transformational" stems from the ability to develop people as resources and move them to a more satisfactory state of existence than they were at before they met the leader.
Transformational leaders are said to have six basic characteristics, almost all of which are associated with characteristics needed and/or desired by church leaders. These characteristics can be summarized as follows:
1. Creativity - Transformational leaders are innovative and able to bring fresh perspectives to enduring questions.
2. Interactivity - Transformational leaders are interactive rather than directive. Although in a position of authority, they are open to participation by followers. There interactions with followers are honest, open and frank.
3. Visionary - Vision is also an important component of the transformational leader. More than anything else, these leaders are able to communicate a vision to their followers and to challenge them to bring this mutually shared vision to fruition.
4. Empowering - Empowerment is the fourth characteristic of the transformational leader. He helps followers to believe that challenges can be confronted successfully and obstacles can be overcome as they move to effect their goals.
5. Passionate - Transformational leaders are passionate in their commitment to their goals, their task and to their followers.
6. Ethical - Trans...