Which of the following leaders is an example of transactional leadership?

Transactional leadership is characterized by an emphasis on structure, tasks, and the achievement of specific outcomes. Leaders who follow this style focus on setting clear performance standards and maintaining the existing organizational structure. These leaders utilize a system of rewards and penalties to manage their followers, emphasizing compliance and achievement of short-term goals.

In this context, a leader who sets clear performance standards exemplifies transactional leadership because they create specific expectations that employees must meet. This approach establishes a framework for accountability and performance monitoring, which is at the heart of transactional leadership practices. By defining what is expected, the leader can evaluate performance against these standards and provide appropriate feedback or reinforcements based on that evaluation.

On the other hand, leaders who inspire creativity, encourage risk-taking, or focus on long-term change tend to adopt transformational leadership styles. They motivate their teams to think innovatively and push beyond established boundaries, aiming for growth and significant shifts in organizational culture or vision. These qualities are not aligned with the transactional approach that prioritizes clear expectations and direct rewards or consequences.