transformational leadership ( group assignment)

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP 1

Transformational Leadership

Emma Haslydiana Binti Hasman

Fazilah Binti Mustaffa

Zakiah Binti Abu Kasim

University Utara Malaysia


Abstract

A leader is someone who has the ability to influence followers that have the same

determination and outcomes for change as he do. People build their leadership qualities

through life experiences and them able to effectively influence their subordinates. This

influencing is usually done by using their authority follower. This paper demonstrates that

Lee Kuan Yew as transformational leaders with a vision, some charisma, confidence,

courage, humility, a strong sense of justice, a willingness to be different, concern for others,

and a willingness to make great sacrifices for his vision. This paper also covers analysis about

effectiveness on his leadership and how he change Singapore from country political, social

and economic perspective.

Key words: Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, leadership qualities, planning, influence, locus of

control.


The objectives of the study are to support the idea that transformational leadership has

the positive impact on the follower development, performance and even organizational

profitability. This study also focuses on the theories of transformational leadership practiced

by Mr Lee Kuan Yew, former Minister Mentor of Singapore.

Leadership is an important aspect of a process which a person influences others to

accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive

and coherent. According by James Scouller (2011) definition “Leadership is a process that

involves: setting a purpose and direction which inspires people to combine and work towards

willingly; paying attention to the means, pace and quality of progress towards the aim; and

upholding group unity and individual effectiveness throughout” (p.26).

According to Richard L. Draft (2008), leadership can be defined as “An influence

relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes and outcomes that reflect

their shared purposes” (p.5). Leadership typically reflects a larger society, and the theories

have evolved as norms, attitudes and understanding in the larger world have changed. The

various leadership theories can be categorized into six basic approaches:

1. Great Man Theories - great leaders are born not made. These theories often

portray great leaders as heroic, mythic and destined to rise to leadership when

needed.

2. Trait Theories - assume that people inherit certain qualities and traits that

make them better suited to leadership. Trait theories often identify particular

personality or behavioural characteristics shared by leaders.

3. Behaviour Theories - are based upon the belief that great leaders are made,

not born. It focuses on the actions of leader’s not on mental qualities or


internal states and people can learn to become leaders through teaching and

observation.

4. Contingency Theories - focus on particular variables related to the

environment that might determine which particular style of leadership is best

suited for the situation.

5. Influence Theories - These theories examines influence processes between

leaders and followers. Leaders influence people to change by providing an

inspiring vision of the future and shaping the culture and values needed to

attain it.

6. Relational Theories - known as transformational theories which focus upon

the connections formed between leaders and followers. Leaders are focused

on the performance of group members, and want each person to fulfil his or

her potential. Leaders with this style often have high ethical and moral

standards.

Transformational leadership is the one of most effective leadership style.

Transformational leaders are those who transform their followers into becoming leaders

themselves. From Wikipedia, A transformational leader focuses on "transforming" others to

help each other, to look out for each other, to be encouraging and harmonious, and to look out

for the organization as a whole. In this leadership, the leader enhances the motivation, morale

and performance of his follower group.

The idea of transformational leadership first appeared in the 1973 where sociological

study conducted by Downton, J. V., "Rebel Leadership: Commitment and Charisma in the

Revolutionary Process. The concept of transformational leadership was initially introduced


by James Macgregor Burns (1978). According to Burns, he described “Leaders and followers

raise one another to higher levels of morality and motivation” (p.20). Transformational leader

help followers grow and develop into leaders by responding to individual followers' needs by

empowering them and align the objectives and goals of the individual followers, the leader,

the group, and the larger organization. Burns also influenced by Abraham Maslow’s Theory

of Human Needs where this theory recognizes people have a range of needs to which they

will perform effectively in workplace will be affected by the extent to which these needs are

satisfied.

Transformational leadership theory is about leadership with values and meaning, and

a purpose that transcends short-term goals and focuses on higher order needs. “Essentially the

leader’s task is consciousness-raising on a wide plane. The leader’s fundamental act is to

induce people to be aware or conscious of what they feel - to feel their true needs so strongly,

to define their values so meaningfully so they can be moved to purposeful action”.

(Leadership, p.43-44)

In 1985, Bernard M.Bass extended Burns’ theory defined transformational leadership

in terms of how the leader affects followers, who are intended to trust, admire and respect the

transformational leader. Bass also suggested that there were four different components of

transformational leadership, which also known as four dimensions (Four I’s).These four

components of transformational leadership, which are:

1. Idealized influence or Charisma

This is the degree to which the leader behaves in admirable ways that cause followers

to identify with the leader. Charismatic leaders display convictions, take stands and

appeal to followers on an emotional level. This is about the leader having a clear set

of values and demonstrating them in every action, providing a role model for their


followers. Genuine trust must be built between leaders and followers. Trust for both

leader and follower is built on a solid moral and ethical foundation.

2. Inspirational motivation

The degree to which the leader articulates a vision that is appealing and inspiring to

followers. Leaders with inspirational motivation challenge followers with high

standards, communicate optimism about future goals, and provide meaning for the

task at hand. Followers need to have a strong sense of purpose if they are to be

motivated to act. It is also important that this visionary aspect of leadership is being

supported by communication skills that allow the leader to articulate his or her vision

with precision and power in a compelling and persuasive way.

3. Intellectual stimulation

The degree, to which the leader challenges assumptions, takes risks and solicits

followers' ideas. Leaders with this trait stimulate and encourage creativity in their

followers. The leader’s vision provides the framework for followers to see how they

connect to the leader, the organization, each other, and the goal. Once they have this

big picture view and are allowed freedom from convention they can creatively

overcome any obstacles in the way of the mission.

4. Individualized consideration or individualized attention

The degree to which the leader attends to each follower's needs, acts as a mentor or

coach to the follower and listens to the follower's concerns and needs. This also

encompasses the need to respect and celebrate the individual contribution that each

follower can make to the team (it is the diversity of the team that gives it its true

strength). This approach not only educates the next generation of leaders, but also

fulfils the individuals need for self-actualization, self-fulfilment, and self-worth. It

also naturally propels followers to further achievement and growth.


Brief Background of Lee Kuan Yew

Lee Kuan Yew was undoubtedly the founder of modern Singapore. He was the first

Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, governing for three decades from 1959 until he

stepped down in 1990 (though he remained in the cabinet as Senior Minister and Minister

Mentor until 2011. Singapore was transformed into a modern and the most developed city

state under his guidance. Lee industrialized the country and made Singapore the most

prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.

Lee was born in Singapore on September 16, 1923 to a wealthy Chinese family. In

1931 he attended the Telok Kurau English School before he moved to Raffles Institution four

years later. In 1939, Lee sat for the Senior Cambridge Examination and emerged as the top

student for the whole of Malaya. The outbreak of World War II in Europe made him shelve

his plans for further studies in England. After the war, he briefly attended the London School

of Economics before moving to Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied law,

graduating with Double Starred First Class Honours. He became a lawyer worked as a legal

adviser to labour unions and won election to Singapore's legislative council in 1955, while

the country was still a British colony. Since then, Lee had started his political career and his

long journey to become a great leader.

Political Career

During the World War II in February 1942, Lee had a tremendous impact when

Japanese conquered Singapore. Lee said “The Japanese brought politics to me. … The

Japanese occupying forces were blind and brutal and made me, and a whole generation like

me, in Singapore and Malaya, work for freedom - freedom from servitude and foreign

domination. We decided that from then on our lives should be ours to decide, that we should

not be the pawn and playthings of foreign powers”. (Alex Josey, 1968)


The impact of the Japanese occupation on his country, had expressed patriotism in

Lee to make Singapore independent. He started to articulate the vision to free the country and

the people from foreign rule.

After completing his study in Cambridge University, Lee joined the law firm and after

a few years he established his own company. However, he was more interested in politics

and the anti-colonial movement in Singapore. He became the honorary legal adviser for

several trade unions after being acquainted with their leaders. In February 1952, his

leadership was exemplified when he managed to guide the Postal Workers Union, in

obtaining important concessions from the colonial government.

With his strong, expressive forms of communication in articulating his vision, his

followers starts to build their strong belief and trust on Lee’s appealing vision and his

extraordinary capability to fight for independence of Singapore. Lee together with his strong

followers had started the preparations to form a political party which eventually led to the

formation of the People's Action Party (PAP) on 1954. With the strong base of followers

support, Lee then started to pave his road to take over the government from British control. In

April 1955 Lee was elected as PAP's candidate for Tanjong Pagar against David Saul

Marshall's Labour Front-led coalition government. PAP won 43 out of 51 seats and obtained

53.4 percent of the votes. On June 3, 1959, Singapore attained self-government, and two days

later Lee and his colleagues formed the first government, with Lee as the first prime minister.


Pre Independence of Singapore

His early political career starting in 1959 when he took over Singapore from British

colony, where Lee had faced a very serious problem of high unemployment, severe housing

shortage and widespread corruption. The existence of these problems has sparked Lee Kuan

Yew a vision to change Singapore. For Lee, change needs to be implemented to address these

problems. He initiated an industrialization program to solve the unemployment issue,

launched low-cost housing program to move his people from the slum area and implement

the anti-corruption strategy. He has implemented a comprehensive legislation (the Prevention

of Corruption Act), where he directed the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and initiate

the periodic revision of civil service salaries and improve the working conditions to motivate

his civil service to avoid corruption

In 1961, Lee began to campaign for merger with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak to end

British Colonial rule after accepting the proposal from Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Malayan

Prime Minister to form a federation. He strongly believes that a small country like Singapore

needs to be part of the federation for a better future but been objected by pro communist

party, Barisan Socialis. Through his campaigns he gain a strong support by won 70% of the

votes where were cast in support of his proposal and plan. Singapore officially merged with

Malaysia in September 16, 1963. However the merger was not last for long. The failure of the

merger was a heavy blow to Lee, who believed that it was crucial for Singapore’s survival

(Lee, 1998). Singapore was fully independence on 9 August 1965 thus Republic of

Singapore was created.


Post Independence of Singapore

According to Okombo et.al (2011) Singapore was faced with major challengers where

they are the lack of natural resources, a water supply system that was beholden primarily to

Malaysia, a very limited defence capability, limited land space, a weak industrial base, a fall

in trade, as well as a growing population. (p.105)

Deficiency makes him more determined to develop Singapore. Because of these

related issues, his emphasis on three major concern that is national security, economy and

social issues. He implemented several transformation policies and programmes, tightly

controlled welfare stated with an economy based in private enterprise, encouraged foreign

investment and discouraged political decent. He also stressed discipline, correct public

behaviour, oppositions to drugs, English education, and interracial tolerance. Despite of

Singapore’s limited land space, small population and lack of natural resources, Lee had

proved that he grew Singapore to one of the most developed nation in Asia.

The Transformation of Singapore

From Lee Kuan Yew's perspective, a country needs stability changes from an

economic, political and social. That is the main foundational success in the transformation of

Singapore. Without these foundational strength and stability, no leaders in the world would

ever successfully lead and transform his country to the success. We will discuss the

credibility of Lee Kuan Yew as a transformational leader as below:

Idealized influence or Charisma

Lee influences started when Postal Union under his guidance obtained important

concession from colonial government. He also received support from pro-communist trade

unionist. His followers has a strong belief that Lee’s has a vision and capable to fight for

independence for Singapore. Further to this Lee and his colleagues, also his strong followers


like Goh Keng Swee, Toh Chin Chye, S. Rajaratnam, K.M. Byrne and Samad Ismail have

form a People Action Party (PAP), a political party in November 1954 and prepared for the

coming election. His influence on voters reveals when he won the seat in Tanjong Pagar as

one of the PAP’s candidate in election in April 1955. This was followed by next victory by

Lee’s when PAP won 53.4% votes in first general election in May 1959. Lee was then elected

as the first Prime Minister.

In another scenario, his influence can be seen when his idea to merger with Malaya

received majority support. The merger of Singapore into Malaya took place on September 16,

1953. Lee realized this was the best opportunity to end the British colonial rule.

Unfortunately the merger was not last for long. We believe this happened because of his

vision and sense of mission has influence his supporter, that merger with Malaya is important

for a small country like Singapore.

Inspirational motivation

During the World War II, he resolved to make Singapore independent and started to

articulated vision to free the country and the people foreign rule. With his strong, expressive

forms of communication in articulating his vision, he started to gain more and more follower

including the support from the pro-communist trade unionists. The follower started to build

their strong belief and trust on Lee’s appealing vision and his extraordinary to fight for

independent of Singapore.

Lee has a strong commitment to solve corruption in his government and he

implemented anti-corruption strategy via comprehensive legislation and effective

enforcement. Apart from his cabinet, he had to keep motivate and internalized his vision and

values to the top civil servant and their department. In parallel, he had initiated the periodic

revision of civil service salaries and improves working conditions to build up a highly

motivated and corruption free government.


Lee Kuan Yew said that they must decide as a community that they would see their

problems through. It was only when they stayed and solved their problems, and not so quitted

and so dodged unpleasantness, that they could make a better future for all. He always

emphasized that Singapore needed to be strong enough and independence. The people had to

stay and face whatever was coming. They also have to increase their competitive power and

efficiency so that they could compete with the neighbour countries.

Lee was trying to attract foreign technology, elite and capital as well. In 1961, the

Economic Development Board (EDB) was established to attract foreign investment, offering

attractive tax incentives and providing access to the highly skilled, disciplined and relatively

low paid work force. It may help to make the people realized the importance and the benefits

of the economic development to Singapore.

Lee Kuan Yew advocated Asian Values which encompasses some flavour of

Confucianism, in particular loyalty towards the family, corporation and nation, the forgoing

of personal freedom for sake of society’s stability and prosperity, the pursuit for academic

and technological excellence, and work ethnic and thrift. Besides, he particularly emphasized

the importance of respect for elders, family and working hard in order to increase the moral

values of the citizens. These may also raise the people to the higher level of motivation and

then strive for upper needs. They would also consider the community as a whole, not

individuals.

Intellectual stimulation

After coming out from British colonialism, Singapore was faced with major

challenges of high rate unemployment, severe housing shortage and widespread corruption

which were due to the high population growth rate during the post-war years. Lee strong

commitment on internalize his visionary is to focus on civil service servants or subordinates.

Then, he motivates them and encourages them to follow his goals by improving of working


conditions and salaries. Lee also had made some revision on top professionals’ civil servants

salaries in the private sector, arguing that this would help recruit and retain talent to serve in

the public sector. Lee set example as a role model on anti of corruption and also influence

society from involve by setting on action and enforcement.

In 1960, Lee used military infrastructure to develop Singapore and he tried to attract

foreign investment to improve on the country infrastructure. Nowadays, Singapore has been

the busiest port in the world and become the international trade connection with modern port

such as air port facilities, sophisticated telecommunications network and comprehensive land

transport system. If Lee Kuan Yew is not willing to take risk and challenge Singapore will

not be as what we see today.

During his leadership era, Lee has created his own successor. He saw the importance

of rising up the next generations of leaders to lead the nation. As a leader, the organization

must transcend the individual and the leader to continue his legacy. Goh Chok Tong was

selected by Lee to be the next Singapore’s Prime Minister.

Individualized consideration or attention

Social integration is one of the three main concerns when Lee Kuan Yew is building

Singapore. Over a quarter of country he was promoting social integration among races in

Singapore within consists of mainly Chinese, Malay, and Indian. Lee Kuan Yew and his

government aware that to achieve stability and economic success, Singapore need to have a

integration of the various ethnics in the country. Lee also realised that Singapore has no

natural resources; the only resource potential that Singapore has is their people.

Therefore, Lee emphasized education as one of the important regional strategies. He

ensures that every child had a place in school and enforced English as a language to be used

in teaching and learning. At the same time, Lee makes Mandarin, Malay and Tamil become


official languages to harmonize these ethnic group. Lee has stated publicity that all four

major languages in Singapore were official and equal.

Lee set himself as role model on developing high standard at public health and quality

environment and as well control on noise pollution. In 1968, “Singapore Garden City to

Model Green City’ was lunching by him and Singaporeans follow on his program that has

been implanted. He also created a unique Singapore identity between other races and success

to make Singaporeans as one community without communalism.

Conclusion

Lee Kuan Yew is one of the examples of a transformational leader where a leader with

has the leadership qualities and capable of giving change to the country. He has the respect of

his followers, believed to have a vision and a strong sense on his mission.

As a transformational leader, he has the ability to inspire his followers and has a strong

commitment to serve Singaporeans. Key leadership of Lee put trust as important to apply to

Singaporeans. As Lee himself has said, Singapore leadership’s “greatest asset was the trust and

confidence of the people”, “the other valuable asset” – “hardworking, thrifty, eager to learn”

(Lee, 2000). He also transformed Singapore from a tiny port to a metropolitan first- world city

with his strong influences, belief and trust.

The most important aspect is his characteristics of a successful transform plans and

vision been executed to his follower. He also has a great power to motivate his subordinates

and people to carry out his plan.

Lee Kuan Yew had a vision for Singapore and created opportunities and circumstances.

He made use of his charisma not only to gained the heart of his peoples but won the confidence

of foreign investors by selling Singapore as the well-prepared Southeast Asian country for

investment. He also inspirationally motivates his subordinates and peoples by setting a good

example of a person with great integrity. He also made his government by executing certain


policies to provide a challenging yet attainable goal. Sometimes he may seem autocratic to

stick with his own thoughts, but having self confidence and being decisive are crucial to a good

leader.

He might be considered as autocratic, but with the situation in Singapore or Asian

countries, some extent of autocracy might ensure effectiveness. It is no doubt that he did

everything to protect the interest of Singapore. However, the most important criteria of good

leadership are the ability to lead. He did manage Singapore well during his time and

demonstrated that visionary leadership is extremely important in moving a country to

sustainable development. His leadership had enabled Singaporeans to develop a national

identity and bond founded on the core values common to the country’s diverse cultures and

traditions. Lee Kuan Yew as a transformational leader are charismatic, dynamic , innovative,

commented and motivate follower to achieve beyond his wildest idea that bring success to

Singapore from third world to first world country under his reign.


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transformational leadership ( group assignment)

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