TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP SERIES (TLS 59)

Solomon Appiah

ISA 58:12 JUNE 25, 2018

Welcome to the Transformational Leadership Series (TLS).

Two weeks ago, we discussed leadership from the perspective of influence alone.
Leadership is influence. Last week we discussed Leadership as Influence but from
the perspective of purpose. This week we will discuss Leadership as Influence from

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the perspective of direction. Next week, we will discuss leadership as influence
from the perspective of motivation.

The above is derived from the definition of leadership employed for this section of
our transformational leadership series which is taken from the U.S. Army
Leadership Field Manual. It defines leadership thus:

Leadership involves “influencing people—by providing purpose, direction,

and motivation—while operating to accomplish the mission and improving
the organization”.

DIRECTION

Leaders inspire others toward uncommon goals and never lose sight of the future
even as they labor tirelessly for the demands of today. One of the ways they do this
is by inspiring through providing direction.

DIRECTION, n. [L.]

1. Aim at a certain point; a pointing towards, in a straight line or course; as,

the direction of good works to a good end.

3. A straight line or course. A star appeared in the direction of a certain

tower. The ship sailed in a south-easterly direction.

4. The act of governing; administration; management; guidance;

superintendence; as the direction of public affairs; direction of domestic
concerns; the direction of a bank.

5. Regularity; adjustment.

6. Order; prescription; either verbal or written; instruction in what manner

to proceed. The employer gives directions to his workmen; the physician, to
his patient.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PURPOSE AND DIRECTION

Purpose has to do with giving followers an aim, end in view, or a consequence.

Direction involves showing followers how to reach that goal, or how to fulfil that
purpose. Purpose has to do with the end but direction has to do with the means to
the end. Giving purpose inspires and so does giving direction—showing followers
Some wonder how Adolf Hitler was able to lead the much of Germany into war based on
racism. He simply influenced them. He gave them purpose and direction. He showed them
an END game and also provided them with how to reach that end game. This is how he
influenced a great nation to perpetrate some of the worst atrocities known to mankind.

Practically speaking what are the components of direction. The U.S. Army Leadership Field
Manual has the following to say about managing direction.

When providing direction, leaders should:

1. Come up with a mission

2. Communicate the way you want the mission accomplished

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3. Prioritize tasks,
4. Assign responsibility for completing them (delegating authority when necessary)
5. Make sure your people understand the standard

Leadership that inspires via giving purpose and direction stand the chance of becoming
transformational influencers.