Business View Magazine | February 2021

221 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2021 Transformational Leadership By Daniel M. Campbell, Partner and Higher Education Services Director, CapinCrouse “Leadership is essential in a crisis.” Doris Kearns Goodwin Pandemic. Economic collapse. Racial inequality. Social injustice. Isolation. Each in and of itself qualifies as a crisis. Experienced simultaneously, these crises challenge a society’s leaders in unique and specific ways. The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes a crisis as “an unstable or crucial time in which decisive change is impending; the decisive moment; the turning point.” Think of a crisis as a choice point. Going straight ahead is no longer an option. These choice points require transformational leadership to navigate successfully. Transformational leadership is visionary. Visionary leaders see not only what could be, but what should be. Visionary leaders know what to do, understanding the demands and challenges of the time they are in and the best interests of their constituents. Knowing those interests may be in conflict with the short- term best interests of their organization, they make hard decisions while remaining mindful that the organization will be the ultimate beneficiary of doing the right thing. Transformational leadership is focused. Focused leaders tune out what their peers are saying and doing. They focus on what their constituents need instead. They ask the question, “What do our constituents need to successfully navigate the times?” They understand that one singular solution cannot address all of the needs of all of their constituents. Certain groups of constituents may have fewer resources and thus need greater service. Other constituents have access to other resources and only need a plan. Transformation leadership plans. These leaders are known for planning and re-planning. As crises unfold, strategic plans and budgets are set aside and contingencies are developed. Leaders do not give up or give in; rather, they develop a new model of constituent service that is unique to the times. Transformational leadership leads. Leaders build teams and trust. They trust their teams to do their jobs and their teams trust them to do theirs. They have high expectations but are forgiving and compassionate before taking corrective action and training. Think about leadership at your organization. What challenges do you face? What opportunities for improvement can you identify? What are your strengths, and how can they be built upon? Transformational leadership has never been more vital. Taking the time to assess and apply the characteristics of transformational leadership will help your organization move forward with clarity and confidence, even in times of crisis. About the Author Daniel M. Campbell serves as Partner and Higher Education Services Director at CapinCrouse. Dan has more than 35 years of public accounting experience leading audit engagements of nonprofit organizations and for-profit industries. Dan leads the firm’s higher education practice segment, which includes more than 80 client relationships, and commits a significant portion of his professional time to board training, strategic planning initiatives, and accreditation support. Learn more at capincrouse.com .