HOWE Q. WALLACE BLOG

Transitional Vs Transactional Leadership – The Difference? Better, Sustainable Results

Mike Matheny, who managed the St Louis Cardinals to a World Series championship, describes the difference between being a β€œtransactional” coach versus a β€œtransformational” coach.Β 

A transactional coach will do or say to his team whatever it takes to win.Β 

That can mean a lot of things:Β 

  • Authorize shortcuts for short term production gains.Β 
  • Look away from safety protocol.Β 
  • Play favorites with high performers, although their behavior is selfish and bad for the team.Β 

In my experience, a transactional leader doesn’t build a team. Turnover will be high, and integrity will falter. The lack of integrity costs.Β 

A transformational coach is more interested in growing his players beyond their performance.

  • They insist on standards.Β 
  • They are patient as they train.Β 
  • The steady leadership leads to better, sustainable results.Β 

Teammates are loyal to the transformational leader because the transformational leader has proven that they will do the right thing and it’s best for everyone.Β 

Which one are you?

-Howe Q Wallace JrΒ