1. Introduction: The past three decades has seen an upsurge in the correlation that “true leaders” have a positive impact on a given situation, organization or country. The world today is uncertain, and faces many challenges from the environment, conflict and the economic woes that have affected all nations; organizations need level five leaders. Although as Jim Collins clearly annotates the characteristics and skills of a level five leader are rare (Collins 2001).
Stephen Robbins and Timothy Judge (2009) state “that transformational leaders inspire followers to transcend their own self interests for the good of the organization and are capable of having a profound and extraordinary effect on their followers.” Appendix one clearly annotates the difference between transformational and transactional leadership characteristics.
Change is the only constant in today’s world and if an organization fails to change to meet the needs of the market and its clients it will become extinct. Isaac Asimoc (2004) clearly states “The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be”.
2. Change: So what is change? There are a number of definitions for change but, to alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance is the definition that I feel encapsulates change (Brainy Quote). Change and moving into the unknown can be a stressful time for people. Robbins & Judge state evidence indicates that uncertainty is the biggest stress factor people have with organizational change (Robbins & Judge, 2009:672).