Week Three: Leader/Follower Relationships; Theories in Action

Reaching Milestones is a small business that provides early intervention therapy services. There are twenty-one independent contractors working for the Director, who is also a speech therapist that provides early intervention services in addition to her Director duty and responsibilities. The Delaware County provides the Director with children in need of therapy, who then offers the cases to the independent contractors. Because the independent contractors are not employed individuals and therefore do not get benefits and insurance from Reaching Milestones, the unique dynamic of the organization calls the Director to adopt a more transformational or relationship-oriented leadership style in order to effectively influence the independent contractors.
A transformational leadership style that is relationship-based between the Director and the independent contractors is a more effective leadership style given the unique organizational structure in contrast to a transactional leadership style. A transactional leadership style would not be as effective for the Reaching Milestones Director because the emphasis would be on accomplishing specific tasks as opposed to building relationships and providing a vision to inspire and motivate the independent contractors.
While in Reaching Milestones’ office, I have observed the interactions between several independent contractors and the Director, all of which were very positive. I picked up on the Director’s transformational leadership style through her verbal and nonverbal communication with the independent contractors. For example, she is always smiling and enthusiastic. She speaks a lot about her own positive experiences with the families in need of the therapy services, which serves to motivate and inspire the independent contractors. She does a great job at building an identity for the work she expects and the representation of the organization through her own example and the messages she shares. She has a thorough understanding of her independent contractors’ weaknesses and strengths and therefore pairs them with the appropriate cases to enhance their success. Also, during my observations of the independent contractors, where I evaluate their services and session notes, I have heard only positive feedback from them about the Director and the way that they are treated.