Leadership Models Essay

Topic Selection and Rationale
The three leadership models I would like to address for my topic selection are transformational, authentic, and situational. The rationale behind selecting these models is that they engage others and create a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and follower, in their own distinct way. Furthermore, they exemplify the fact that good leaders are made and not born, which is an encouragement for those who may not be considered "naturals." To put it differently, if one has the desire and willpower, they can become an effective leader. To this effect, Jago (1982) asserted that good leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience.  
Leadership Model Overview
Transformational. One of the current and (Northouse, 2010) most popular approaches to leadership that has been the focus of much research since the early 1980s is the transformational approach. Transformational leadership is part of the new "New Leadership" paradigm (Bryman, 1992), which gives more attention to the charismatic and affective elements of leadership. Bass and Riggio (2006) suggested that its popularity might be due to its emphasis on intrinsic motivation and follower development. "Transformational leadership fits the needs of today's work groups, who want to be inspired and empowered to succeed in times of uncertainty" (Northouse, 2010, p. 171). In a content analysis of articles published in Leadership Quarterly, Lowe and Gardner (2001) found that one-third of the research was about transformational or charismatic leadership. "Clearly, many scholars are studying transformational leadership, and it occupies a central place in leadership research" (Northouse, 2010, p. 171).
As its name implies, transformational leadership is a process that changes and transforms people. It is concerned with emotions, values, ethics, standards, and long-term goals. It includes assessing...