We all know that quote about the definition of insanity: doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. And while it’d be a tad dramatic to call it insane, many leaders find themselves doing what used to work, even though things have changed, and they wonder why things aren’t improving.

For the most part, ambition or discipline isn’t the issue here; it’s that these leaders are stuck in management mode when they should be leading. This is where transformative leadership is needed, and it’s exactly what we’ll unpack in this article.

We’ll also explore the difference between a manager and a leader, the relevance of telescopes vs microscopes, and the value of strategic thinking in leadership.

What is Transformative Leadership?

Some people call it “transformational leadership”, but we use the term “transformative leadership” to describe leaders who don’t just let things tick over. Far from it, in fact, because transformative leaders unlock genuine, strategic, long-term growth for themselves and their organizations.

But how do you reach this level of leadership yourself?

A truly transformative leadership style comes from evaluating your experiences and applying them to real-life scenarios rather than relying on charisma or theory. It’s essentially where you show some mettle and do the honest, reflective work that takes you from reactive operator to visionary leader.

But first, there’s the matter of whether you’re acting like a manager instead of a leader, and why this could be costing you and your organization.

The Difference Between a Manager and a Leader

We use a nine-box model to differentiate between management and leadership, which is designed to help leaders map out where they’re at and where they need to grow.

• The X-axis - Management skill: low, medium, or high.
• The Y-axis – Leadership skill: low medium, or high.

By plotting these two dimensions, you get nine possible combinations. Think of it like a grid with different leadership types in each box. Here’s an image for the visual learners:

From axes to reality now, and what these characteristics look like in the real world:

• High management, low leadership, otherwise known as the micromanager, focused on processes rather than people or the bigger picture.
• High leadership, low management, AKA the visionary, full of ideas but struggles to execute them.
• Medium both is the “OK” leader, who’s a steady hand, but far from inspirational.
• High both is the transformative leader. This guy or gal can zoom out, align others, and drive significant change. The Optimus Prime of leaders, if you will.

And while “okay” might keep the wheels turning, as Tom Peters famously put it, “The enemy of great is being satisfied with okay."

Telescope vs Microscope and Strategic Thinking in Leadership

Understanding how to be a better leader comes from the ability to think strategically, which requires a shift from the microscopic to telescopic.

But what’s the difference between the two?

1. Microscopic thinkers are focused, scratch that, fixated, on the short term. They’re reactive, not proactive, and obsess over efficiency to the point of it becoming, well, inefficient.
2. Telescopic thinkers are focused on the big picture, guided by a vision and the long term. This doesn’t come from wishful thinking, but through strategic planning.

For sustainable growth, ditch the microscope and pick up the telescope, because strategic leadership isn’t about more action; it’s about better direction.

What Transformative Leadership Looks Like in Action

Of course, the odd micromanager can get results through an uncomfortable combination of control, stress, and pressure. However, this rarely works for long. Transformative leadership, on the other hand, helps you align others to a vision that makes sense, create space for autonomy, and operate from clarity instead of chaos.

Take Jane, a founder who operates with high management but low leadership. She runs a tight ship, super tight in fact, but her team lacks motivation, and growth has stalled.

Then, there’s Raj. He pairs high leadership with strong management and communicates the company’s vision clearly, trusting his team and modelling behaviors. His organization is moving in the right direction with sustained growth, and his people are learning and improving with it.

Want to be more like Raj? Start by recognizing where you’re stuck and shifting how you think. Better yet, listen to Episode 3 of the Stop Managing, Start Leading podcast to explore the full model and gain practical insights to move forward. 

Want to be more like Jane? We can’t help you there, buddy.

From Ego System to Eco System

Another lens we use is the idea of leadership eco systems or ego systems. Let’s break them down.

• Ego System: Focused on the self and dominated by control. More often than not, an ego system is an environment rooted in insecurity.
• Eco System: The opposite. Focused on the collective and built on collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and trust.

Transformational leaders operate within eco systems and create conditions for others to step up. They do this because they know growth isn’t a one-man show or solo sport, but a shared mission that needs everyone singing from the same hymn sheet and doing their bit.

How to Map Your Leadership Patterns

Wisdom doesn’t come from time served alone, but from evaluated experience. You could be doing the same things wrong for years and not learning a thing, for example, whereas examining how your actions have shaped outcomes in the past helps you build a better future.

Leadership journaling is a powerful tool to help you evaluate your lived experiences and move forward with confidence. So, take some time with your leadership journal this week and try these questions:

• Do I spend most of my time in telescope or microscope mode?
• Am I building an ego system or eco system at work?
• What leadership habit or mindset am I repeating that no longer serves me?

You can also check out our complimentary leadership journal prompts to give you a springboard to work from.

And remember, leadership journaling isn’t about writing for the sake of it. It’s about making the most of your experiences and using them to avoid mistakes you’ve made before and move forward more effectively.

Final Thoughts: Transformative Leadership is a Practice, Not a Title

No title, tool, or course can make you a transformative leader overnight. It takes the right models, mindsets, and methods to get there, but it’s worth it when you do. Why? Because it means you can shift from short-term thinking to long-term clarity, leading with confidence instead of control, and growing yourself and your business.

Find Out More

If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of the many leaders looking for more than daft management checklists. You’re probably after a framework for real, sustainable growth so you can develop a growth mindset and achieve your goals.

Check out Episode 3 of the Stop Managing, Start Leading podcast for all of these things and more, where we break down the models, metaphors, and the mindset shifts that drive real change.