Transformational Leadership and Sharing Values

Does leadership stem beyond achieving a common goal? Transformational leadership might be the key to answering this question. Transformational leadership encourages certain beliefs and values to be passed on to followers (Northouse, 2016, pp. 15). Additionally, transformational leadership impacts emotionality, morality, beliefs, and goals, while pushing followers beyond their expected performance (PSU WC, 2016, L. 1). With the formation of transformational leadership, authentic leadership springs to life, where one is drawn to maintaining their own sense of self through their beliefs and morals (PSU WC, 2016, L. 1). Transformational leadership is impactful, thus when leaders are passionate about their values, followers are more likely to adapt to similar views and practices (Lanaj, Johnson, & Lee, 2016, pp. 239).

Transformational leaders are present in many areas of society, and one example that we can easily access through Netflix is the show Queer Eye. Harvey (2019) explained that the members of the reality television show strive to encourage self-care practices and love as essential values into the lives of the people that they help. Harvey (2019) stated “Although Queer Eye is a makeover show, the message of the series centers around the idea of finding commonality in the face of cultural, racial and religious barriers” (Harvey, 2019).

Netflix’s version of Queer Eye embodies the kind of transformational leadership that expands the idea of achieving a common goal into instilling common values, practices, and behaviors. Lanaj, Johnson, & Lee (2016) suggest that transformational leadership encourages followers to obtain similar qualities, thus followers are more likely to become similar leaders themselves (Lanaj, Johnson, & Lee, 2016). In terms of the values that Queer Eye attempts to pass to those that they help, it is possible that those people are becoming leaders themselves in passing on similar beliefs, practices, and values. Similarly, Lanaj, Johnson, & Lee (2016) explained that the emotions of followers often match those of their transformational leaders (Lanaj, Johnson, & Lee, 2016, pp. 239). With this in mind, we can gather that the values of self-care and love, and their importance, are felt by the people that the Queer Eye cast work with.

Transformational leadership not only encourages a common goal, but it influences followers to adapt their values, beliefs, and behaviors to those of their leaders. The reality television show, Queer Eye, exemplifies transformational leadership through the use of self-care and love values. In fact, it is reasonable to think that these values are effective and lasting, as Lanaj, Johnson, & Lee (2016) claim that transformational leadership encourages followers’ productivity more than alternative leadership styes (Lanaj, Johnson, & Lee, 2016, pp. 239).

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