Transformational Leadership is a leader who aspires to change people and situations for the better by tuning in to their follower’s values and using influence to change an entire organization (Northouse, 2019). Moreover, the leadership style characteristics are being charismatic, inspirational motivator, building trust, and being a visionary (PSU WC, 2021). Several transformational leaders have molded many folks, pushed them to be better people, and found answers to their problems. To transform followers, the leader must connect with them and earn their trust. Several famous people have been identified as transformational leaders, but I have been directly exposed to one of the best, Retired Assistant Chief, Rob Harvin. Assistant Chief Harvin was a trustworthy change agent who sought to develop and motivate all those he led and worked alongside him.
I remember it like yesterday when Rob Harvin and I work together in the Narcotics Division as Commanders of the Streets and Major Narcotics Enforcement Division. He and I had never worked together; however, we quickly learned one another’s strengths and capitalized on them. My strength was operations, and his was investigations, so we joined together and made an excellent team. Over time we would get promoted to Captain, Major, then Harvin got promoted to Deputy Chief. He was the Deputy Chief over the Bureau of Administration and Homeland Security, and I was the Commander of a district station. He called me one day and asked if I would be interested in being his Executive Officer, and I did not hesitate one bit to say “yes.” It is not every day when you can work with a phenomenal leader who truly wants the best for his followers and the organization. From day one, as Harvin’s Executive Officer, he said to me, “what I know you will know, I will not be here always, so you need to know the ins and outs of this division.”
Inspirational motivation is a vital factor of Transformational Leadership, stating the leader is clear and concise in their communication, providing encouraging words, and has high expectations of their followers (Northouse, 2019). I was insecure with communicating with the upper echelon, and Deputy Chief Harvin told me not to second guess myself and just be me. Moreover, he stated his expectation was for me to run the bureau while he attended daily meetings, and he had confidence in me to make appropriate decisions. From that point, I was more invested and poured into those below me as Deputy Chief Harvin had poured into me.
Charisma is another essential factor of Transformational Leadership where leaders lead by example, causing their followers to relate with them and desire to emulate their style. When I was first asked to be the Executive Officer to Harvin, I did not know what to expect and was unsure how I would do in the position. However, I learned a lot from watching how he communicated with his followers, other leaders, and community members we served, and I desired to be as successful. I learned from Deputy Chief Harvin’s leadership style and added to it, making my own. The Chief of Police recognized my hard work and dedication to the agency, and I was later asked to be his Chief of Staff, and Deputy Chief Harvin was later asked to be the Assistant Chief of Police.
Transformational Leadership is a popular leadership style that involves transforming followers to advance their careers and the overall organization (Northouse, 2019). I was fortunate to have worked with a truly transformational leader such as Retired Assistant Chief Rob Harvin. I learned a lot from him, and he was a true asset to the agency, leaving it in better shape than what he had inherited, being a visionary seeing what the agency needed. In addition, Northouse (2019) Transformational Leaders successfully communicate with people and their ability to build trust. Harvin was able to do all of those things. I am forever grateful for the experience he provided me.
References
Pennsylvania State University World Campus. (2021). PSYCH 485 | Lesson 10:
Transformational Leadership
https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2137573/modules/items/32271464
Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 8th Edition. Los Angeles: Sage
Publications.