Bass (1990) defines transformational leadership in this way: “Superior leadership performance -- transformational leadership -- occurs when leaders broaden and elevate the interests of their employees, when they generate awareness and acceptance of the purpose and mission of the group, and when they stir their employees to look beyond their own self-interest for the good of the group” (p. 21). The article proposes a concept of transformational leadership as a synthesis of adaptive, authentic and inspirational leadership approaches.

In recent years the topic of transformation has become increasingly important and sparked interest in both academic and empirical fields. Business and social environments are changing quickly and encouraging companies and societies to find new ways to adapt and change frequently. Transformation programmes have become common in all industries and markets -- continuous transformation is a new normal ecosystem.

The world of transformation management has evolved significantly. Though today’s leaders use artificial intelligence techniques to predict outcomes, transformation remains challenging and unruly. Kotter (2006) says, “Most major change initiatives – whether intended to boost quality, improve culture, or reverse a corporate death spiral – generate only lukewarm results. Many fail miserably” (p. 1).

Despite the rapid development of transformation management field theories, tools and techniques, only a handful of change efforts have in fact been successful. We therefore find it necessary to introduce a framework by which leaders can enhance a transformation programme and deliver expected results.

Empirical evidence and academic research show that transformation programmes almost always make problems worse than they already are. No matter how they are framed and organized, transformation programmes regularly fail: outcomes are unpredictable and horror stories are common. What is the solution? How should leaders cope with these problems?

“Like a pilgrim or a mendicant, I have moved on.

I have no right to inhabit your dreams,

to loom like a shadow on your patch of sunlight.”

- William Ayot