Which leadership style focuses on improving processes but lacks sustainability after the leader leaves?

The transformative leadership style is characterized by efforts to inspire and motivate followers to achieve higher levels of performance and engage in meaningful change. Transformative leaders typically focus on innovation and groundbreaking processes that elevate an organization’s vision. However, a notable drawback of this style is that the improvements and changes initiated may be heavily dependent on the personal vision and influence of the leader. Once the transformative leader departs, there may be a lack of institutional support and continuity to sustain those changes, as the foundation built by the leader is often not fully integrated into the organization’s ongoing practices or culture.

In contrast, other leadership styles such as democratic and situational involve broader participation and adaptability in decision-making, which can foster a collaborative environment and lead to changes that are more likely to be sustained over time. The systematic approach focuses on structured processes and methods that provide a framework for ongoing improvement, which can help ensure that efforts are maintained beyond any single leader's tenure. Therefore, while transformative leadership can drive significant change, its sustainability is often compromised when the leader who implemented those changes is no longer present.