Theory in Action: Part Two

Since interning at Youth Life, I have noticed a second theory in action: transformational/ transactional leadership. Transformational leadership is leadership that is inspiring and focused on a larger picture, rather than the day-to-day operations. I notice this at Youth Life, because every day we are working toward a larger goal: to prepare our students for the next grade by filling in the gaps in their public education. The directors of Youth Life seem to emphasize transformational leadership, which I particularly noticed during training week. The director of operations and the director of volunteers both focused their presentations on bigger public education-based issues. Instead of focusing on behavioral problems, free meals from FeedMore, or any other transactional-based operations, they emphasized the idea that we as teachers can make a difference in our students lives. They discussed how many of the students that attend Youth Life come from stressful home situations, and how our positive and welcoming attitudes can make a difference in their education.

Transactional leadership differs from transformational leadership because it focuses more on the day-to-day operations and what needs to be accomplished in the short-term. I notice transactional leadership from my lead teachers, who are focused on keeping on schedule, accomplishing all that needs to get done, and keeping the kids under control. While there is the overarching transformational ideas that are woven into the Youth Life model, in the every day-to-day work, it tends to be more focused on the transactional. This makes sense that the teachers physically in the classroom have a more focused approach to their leadership as opposed to the directors of the organization who are not in the classroom with the kids every day. I think it is nice to have both transformational and transactional in the workplace. It is great to have lead teachers who have goals that are focused and direct, while also seeing a greater, inspirational aim of our work from the directors of the organization.