One the books I am currently reading is One Heartbeat II: The Road To The National Championship by Bill Little and then Texas Longhorns head football coach Mack Brown. It covers much of Coach Brown’s life and coaching philosophy with a special emphasis on the 2005 national championship team.
On page 199, Little introduces the audience to an interesting tour of Glacier National Park located in Montana. One of the park’s most popular features is the Going-to-the-Sun highway. This road is one of the most scenic in all of America.
The day-long tours of this route are conducted in a specially refurbished buses which were originally built by the White Motor Company in the 1930s. While ascending the tiny mountain roads, the bus driver rolls back the canopy allowing the approximate half-dozen rows of riders an incredible view of their entire surroundings. The tourist can see the snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, deep canyons just to their side, and beautiful valleys and lakes.
But what makes the trip so special is not the scenic views or gorgeous landscape.
Little makes an insightful observation when he says, “The secret of success is the driver.”
You see an average driver tells you what you could already read on a map. “There’s the Rocky Mountains. There’s a thousand-foot cliff. There’s a beautiful valley. Notice the pretty lake.”
However, a great driver says, “I’ll slow down because if you look there you can see bears in the forest. It you look over there real close, you can see white mountain goats hidden in the snow. Look at the top of those trees and you can see a bald eagle nest.” A great driver will also tell you about this historical facts and little-known stories about the glaciers, lakes, or mile markers.
Here is something else you cannot forget about the great driver – they can deliver all of this information while not taking their eyes of the road. Because if they do, the thousand-foot drop would be certain death for all!!!
- A good driver simply drives the vehicle and dispenses information. Their message is transactional.
- A great driver also drives the vehicle but also gives you nuance, context, and provides a unique experience. Their message is transformational.
The same principles which apply to drivers also applies to leaders, in fact, more so.
Based upon the story above, the following are 10 Differences Between A Transactional Leader and A Transformational Leader:
- A Transactional Leader gives you an ordinary experience. A Transformational Leader gives you an extraordinary experience.
- A Transactional Leader does only what is asked. A Transformational Leader does more than is asked.
- A Transactional Leader focuses on a financial exchange. A Transformational Leader focuses on an emotional exchange.
- A Transactional Leader never improves. A Transformational Leader is committed to personal growth and becoming an expert at their craft.
- A Transactional Leader misses details. A Transformational Leader obsesses over details.
- A Transactional Leader prioritizes tasks over the people. A Transformational Leader prioritizes people above all else.
- A Transactional Leader delivers nothing memorable. A Transformational Leader delivers something memorable.
- A Transactional Leader gives you the minimum amount of time and effort required. A Transformational Leader gives you their soul.
- A Transactional Leader is forgettable. A Transformational Leader is unforgettable, is constantly talked about, and creates memories.
- A Transactional Leader changes nothing. A Transformational Leader changes lives.
What type of leader are you?
The Top 60 Leadership Quotes From 2021 Part 1 is my latest ebook. For many entering a post-pandemic environment, leadership looks completely different than the pre-pandemic world. People are more broken now. They are more uncertain. Fear and anxiousness are unwelcome constant companions. Cultures are more unhealthy. Relationships are more dysfunctional. Hope seems to be in short supply. Every day seems to bring a new hacking, natural disaster, or unexpected calamity.
Therefore, the fundamentals of leadership are more important than ever. The quotes in this book deal with the basics of leadership. If you want to be the best leader you can possibly be, click HERE or on the image provided to download this FREE resource. The lessons learned from last year, if applied, will sustain you for years to come.