Description/Overview: Transformational leadership is highly valued in society, business and the healthcare industry. This type of leader is able to use their passion to engage people in a special way, accomplish superb results and move beyond the traditional. Taking a lesson from the recent presidential election of Barack Obama and the outpouring of support, admiration and hope for the future across party lines, it is evident that people are looking for transformational leaders who can connect with them and seek their commitment, cooperation and give them hope for the future. While there are different viewpoints about what is needed to develop or mentor a transformational leader, it is evident that the ability to envision the future, engage others in a shared vision and achieve goals are critical to success in a dynamic and challenging healthcare environment. This paradigm shift will require fundamental changes in nursing education and the practice environment. Nurses are key stakeholders and hold important leadership roles in healthcare and education. While their authority and spheres of influence have significantly expanded, more transformational nurse leaders are needed. The transformational nurse leader who understand how to share a vision, how to connect with others, how to mentor and coach others will to exceed expectations and build high performance teams will be successful engage others in the work.

Learner Objective #1: The learner will be able to understand how a transformational leader contributes to a positive work culture, superior patient outcomes and high performance teams

Learner Objective #2: The learner will be able to compare characteristics of transactional and transformational leaders and their effect on organizational and patient outcomes and work culture