Transformational leadership symbolizes the essential and significant quality for the successful management of the transformational changes in the organization (Bass & Avolio, 1994). A transformational leader with his exceptional qualities can properly lead an organization help the people to achieve their ultimate goal. Sam Walton, who is the founder of Wal-Mart, is one of those transformational leaders, who have utilized every opportunity in order to inspire and lead the people for achievement of the ultimate goal (Daft & Marcic, 2012). Sam Walton is regarded as a transformational leader due to the qualities such as his method of appreciation for the employees. Sam used to visit the Wal-Mart stores located in the country for meeting the employees in order to show the appreciation to the employees for their performance and for what they have done and are doing for the company. He has given the rules for success; one of his famous rules is to appreciate the associated employees with praise. He has taught his employees never give up and always set high expectations as they are a key to success (Bergdahl, 2010).
Furthermore, his extraverted personality has also allowed him to meet the people on the daily basis, which also an essential trait of transformational leadership. He has promoted an exemplified organizational culture. This fact can be explained with an example that Walton has worked for making workers eligible for the stock option share in the company. Furthermore, Walton has set the examples of idealized influence and sacrifice, by mortgaging his own home at the time of opening of first Wal-Mart store in the year 1962. He has taken this step so that he doesn’t have to borrow money from the others.
Sam Walton’s decision making style was consultative. He has made decisions by considering the opinion of all the employees working in different stores of Wal-Mart and by using his knowledge and decision making skills he has made that decision that work in the best interest of people of an organization so that satisfaction of people can be achieved. He has always focused on ethical decision making (Ferrel, Fraedrich & Ferrel, 2009). Walton has set high goals for the employees but at the same time he has provided them the required assistance. He has cared about the employees both physically and mentally. All these factors have played an important role for motivating the employees and ultimately Sam Walton has led the group through change.
In my opinion culture plays a significant role in Walton’s leadership characteristics. Walton has considered himself as the custodian of customs of corporation. He has preserved the core values and the principles of the culture. He has hired, promoted and rewarded disciplined individuals that were consistent with the central values of the culture. He has also introduced new systems in order to cope with the latest culture and demands and needs of the society.
Yes, I believe that I have the potential to become a transformational leader. In order to become a transformational leader, the first thing that I consider is to develop a positive and can do attitude. I should become passionate, enthusiastic and energetic, because this will help me to lead the people and induce positive change in order to attain the target. Furthermore, I should develop inspirational and motivational attitude, as this will give confidence and emotional support to people and make their achievement of goals easier
References
Bass, Bernard M., & Avolio, Bruce J. (1994). Improving Organizational Effectiveness Through Transformational Leadership. Sage Publications, New York.
Bergdahl, Michael. (2010). The 10 Rules of Sam Walton: Success Secrets for Remarkable Results. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New Jersey.
Daft, Richard. & Marcic, Dorothy. (2012). Understanding Management. Nelson Education Limited, Canade
Ferrel, O.C., Fraedrich, John., & Ferrel, Linda. (2009). Business Ethics 2009 Update: Ethical Decision Making and Case. Nelson Education Limited, Canada
