TRANSFORMATION LEADERSHIP IS WHAT KENYA NEEDS.

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By Felix Nasubo

Transformational leadership is a type of leadership style that leads to positive change in those who follow and subscribe to their philosophy. Transformational leaders are generally energetic, enthusiastic and passionate about positively transforming societies they lead. Not only are these leaders concerned and involved in the process; they are also focused on helping every member of the group to succeed as well.
The concept of transformational leadership was initially introduced by leadership expert and presidential biographer James McGregor Burns.

According to Burns, transformational leadership can leadership be seen when leaders and followers make
each other advance to a higher moral level and feel motivated. Through the strength of their vision and personality, transformational leaders are able to inspire followers to change expectations, perceptions and motivations to work towards common goals. Later researcher Bernard M. Bass expanded on Burns original ideas to develop what is today referred to as Bass Transformational Leadership Theory. According to Bass, transformational leadership can be defined based on the impact that it has on followers.

Transformational leaders, Bass suggested, garner trust, respect and admiration from their followers. Bass also suggested that there are four different components of transformational

Intellectual Stimulation. Transformational leaders not only challenge the status quo; they also encourage creativity among followers. The leader encourages followers to explore new ways of doing things and new opportunities to learn.

Individualized Consideration.
Transformational leadership also involves offering support and encouragement to individual followers. In order to foster supportive relationships, transformational leaders can offer direct recognition of each follower’s unique contributions.

Inspirational Motivation.
Transformational leaders have a clear vision that they are able to articulate to followers. These leaders are also able to help followers experience the same passion and motivation to fulfill these goals.

Individualized Influence.
These leaders serve as role models for followers because followers trust and respect them. They emulate the leader and internalize his or her ideals.

It therefore clearly shows that what is ailing Kenya today is lack of transformational leaders who are able to guide the masses to prosperity. Kenya is facing a crisis for lack of better leaders. What Kenya has is a grouping of tribal chiefs aligning themselves for elections and once elected they share the Kenyan cakeamongst themselves and forget about their followers, the voter. Local musician King Kaka in his latest
release which has been trending on social media for weeks now has told off Kenyans referring to them as Wajinga nyinyi.

It therefore clearly shows that what is ailing Kenya today is lack of transformational leaders who are able to guide the masses to prosperity. Kenya is facing a crisis for lack of better leaders. What Kenya has is a grouping of tribal chiefs aligning themselves for elections and once elected they share the Kenyan cake amongst themselves and forget about their followers, the voter.

There has been varied opinion as to whether his music is a true indictment on Kenyans or is exaggerated. He has talked of a country where there are a few millionaires stealing from millions of Kenyan taxpayers in day broad light without care of what happens to the economy. He cites rising unemployment rates, insecurity, major corruption scandals and lawlessness as the major diseases ailing Kenya. He calls out Kenyans for electing the same people who mess our country in the hope that they will change things yet they are the cause of our problems.

The problem with Kenya is Kenyans themselves. We entrust our lives with people who do not care at all. They only appear during elections to hoodwink us with promises we know very well are unrealistic. We sing to their tunes and easily forget what is actually ailing the country. We repeat the same mistake. We elect the same people who have killed our system yet we complain. We must now start thinking of how we can get transformational leaders in leadership positions and not just any leader if we are to realize the dreams of a prosperous Kenya.

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