My main takeaway from Cauto’s article is that somewhere within the duration of the existence of the term transforming leadership there has been the formulation of an alternative meaning different from its original meaning. Cauto credits the creation of the first alternative meaning to Bass. The article argues that the main difference between the original transforming leadership and the more prominent and modern transformational leadership is the context of each definition.
Bass’s definition describes a relationship between leader and follower in which the direction of influence flows one-way–from the leader to the follower. The context of Bass’s claim is within the scope of formal organization that is constituted by hegemonic behavior. In this relationship the leadership is influenced by the causal factors controlled by the leaders in which the followers are subordinates. This lack of cycling influence hinders
Burns’s definition differs in that the direction of influence is transferred throughout both parties of the relationship: leader and follower. Burns’s definition is created in the context of social movements that lack formal organization and are influenced by conditions the leader can not control.
I believe that Bass’s definition constricts the radical nature of transforming leadership by way of “…chang[ing] the test of the radical transformation from social change to the achievement of institutional goals…”
I also noticed and appreciated this distinction of one-way (Bass) and two-way(Burns) influence. Although from the past articles we learned that transformational leadership is typically regarded only as a two-way path, with both leader and followers benefitting, it is evident that there is a definition in which only the followers benefit without the leader learning. Honestly, though, I don’t completely agree that a one-way transformation is possible because the interactions between leaders and followers will eventually have an impact on the leader.
I really appreciate you highlighting this distinction. Working with our class definition, I’m not sure Bass’s definition fits at all.