Guest Talk by Sumera Rafi, Product Specialist ABL
September 26, 2016 34 Comments
“Don’t start by denying the world around them. Instead they describe a future they would like to create inside.”
Ms. Sumera Rafi, A Product Specialist at Allied Bank Limited, was invited as a guest speaker for the Students of Leadership Ethics and Change at IoBM. She spoke about the significance of being a leader within the corporate world as she herself is a firm supporter of transformational leadership.
Ms. Sumera said that a mother is a very vital organ of a family. She leads and manages everyone. She makes sure that all her children perform their best in every field of life. The children only prosper and flourish due to the mother’s constant guidance and selflessness. That is exactly what a leader is to do. A leader is to always make sure that all his followers follow him and prosper constantly while he guides them through. He is responsible for carving their paths, guiding their way and enlightening them always about the right and wrong. A Leader needs to be exemplary. If a mother lies the children shall too. So whatever set of values a leader bears, the followers will too because a leader will always act as a Role model for the followers.
While comparing Transactional and Transformational leadership, she highlighted the fact that Transactional leadership is all about give and take and results that are perfect. However Transformational leadership as a matter of fact is only about selflessly giving, and giving constantly so much so that the follower continues to prosper.
She spoke of how Transformational leadership Seeks to lead and guide while instilling a change and evolution for the better. This change comes within the teams only by leading through example and acting as a role model who follows moral values. A Transformational leader will constantly strive to inspire his followers to achieve something better from what they previously had, establishing a constant sense of improvement within them.
A transformational leader is always working on motivation through self actualization & creating deep rooted relationships amongst his followers. The sense of self actualization is to be created by the leader himself that the employee starts to feel complete about his personality.
The way a Shepherd trains his herd to enter through a small opening in the fence, the Leader trains his followers to always stay focused in one direction while guiding them constantly.A leader will always know the capabilities of his followers and will only put them in a situation which they can endure easily.
Speaking of the example of Mountain Climbing, Ms. Sumera insisted every person acts as a leader whilst the act. All the men are roped together so that when one falls during the climb, the second has his back and if he falls, the third has his back & so forth. Roped and elevating together every mountain climber is a selfless leader where he is readily available to grab and pick up his fellow in case of a slip. Likewise a leader always has his teams back. He pushes them for betterment and improvement and pulls them back up in case of a mistake. The success of the team is the success of the leader.
Shiraz and His Work 
Today, I am discussing the ideas and the learning which I get from the guest speaking session from the very talented Sumaira Rafi from the Allied Bank. She discussed with us the whole idea of the transformational leadership and she makes the session adorable by giving her personal work life examples regarding the work where the transformation takes place even by her own effort and because of the hard work. According to her leadership is very important we all have the inspiration in our life she gives the example of like in our home mothers are the leader. The idea she gives that leaders not necessarily be your CEO. We all have one guide in our life that takes our responsibility. Transformational leadership which I understood is transformational leaders always seeks to lead and drive change. She also adds that when a leader take a team with him and in this team he does not only lead but also make everyone feels that all of them are leader and special. Work of this team also appreciated. Leader work for the betterment. Leader is the one who takes you along with him , what he does is to inspire others to achieve things. If you don’t do the little things or work in your life then you will never be able to achieve great.
She also discuss the concept of self actualization, it is that stage where a person thinks that he did what he wants to do. It is the stage which makes you feel that it is all what you want to achieve throughout your life. It is the need which we cannot say same or similar for everyone, it differs from person to person. Teacher is also a transformational leader because he mobilizes us and challengizes us. According to her leaders have the responsibilities like you led 100 branches towards the achievement of one and the common goal. Leader is the one who owns you he is the one who mobilizes. She also discuss the role of transactional and transformational leaders like transactional leaders know the deliverable and put the implications like if you don’t do this that will happen to you and on the other hand transformational leaders are the opposite. Leader possess a goal in his mind to lead and to develop the team of the people. She explains that the leader is like shepherd this explains that he does not only guide you from the front he also remains and keep his eye at the back. Leader sometime can be anyone even a leader can be a member of a team. Leader make the member feel that we all are leader and it is not the fixed role . Transformational leadership is something in which we all transform each other for the betterment of the organization. In the transformational leadership what we do is not only transform the organization our focus is on the transforming people and by doing this they bring the super expected result and sometimes achieve more than expectations.
Ms summera gave a really inspiring and motivating session on transformational leadership. she gave her own personal example on transformational leadership that touched everyone’s heart. Ms summera gave the example of biological parental love. Just like biological parents love their children unconditionally something that inlaws cannot do similarly leaders should also “love” their followers in a way that that will motivate and inspire them. Just like parents love their children so much that they will never insult their children on their mistakes transformational leaders also do not directly tell their followers that they are wrong instead they look for an opportunity to explain them the correct way of doing things. She claimed that the end result is always performance beyond expectations.
According to Ms summer leaders may not necessarily be a CEO. Her own story is such that she left her former job as her boss was not nice to her and her supervisor was so inspiring that till this day she can turn to him for help and he will not say no. she said that transformational leaders seek and lead, they do not leave their followers behind they make sure everyone is on the same page and is clearly understanding whatever is going on in the organisation. she said that a leader is one who makes sure all his followers have one common goal; he mobilises them all and channels them in one direction towards a common purpose. Her current transformational leader is her CEO who mobilised 8000 employees, opened 1000 branches across Pakistan and earned a deposit of Rs7billion in Allied Bank. she said her CEO is the leader for all employees in Allied bank and they all look unto him.
Ms sumera’s own personal achievement is that she was uncharge of the debit card at Allied bank. she reached this level because of the different leaders she encountered during her career. she claims that a transactional leader can never do as much as a transformational leader can do. for e.g. a sales head/transactional leader will not care as much for his followers as much as a transformational leader will care. he will always be more concerned with sales.
“rough waters are a truer test of leadership, in calm waters everyone has a captain” this beautiful quote tells us that when an organisation is in crisis that’s when a leader shows his true leadership skills. In periods of stability it is very easy to lead and inspire but in periods of crisis, not so easy.
lastly, she talked about how transformation makes us better people. she said that transformation does not make an organisation better but, it makes us better people by teaching organisational values,skills,discipline etc. when these values are practiced and when followers transform they provide the organisation with better returns and by achieving greater outcomes.
hence, transformation is done through people and as a result the organisation is transformed.
Lastly i would like to thank Ms sumera for this meaningful and important session, it really gave us a better understanding of transformational leadership.
Ms. Sumera Rafi, the Product Manager of Banc assurance and Visa Debit at Allied Bank Limited gave an interesting session on Transformational Leadership to our class. She explained that leadership is process in which we consider a person as a leader who is our role model. By using the example of father and father in law as a metaphor, she beautifully explained that transformational leadership plays the role of leadership just like our fathers, whereas, the transactional leadership is just like how father in law treats us. In transformational leadership there are four components: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation. She explained idealized influence as by giving an example that our fathers are always at our back. They are our role models. Inspirational motivation means that our fathers inspire and motivate us at every stage of our lives. Intellectual stimulation means that our fathers are always challenging us to handle the difficult situations and by individualized consideration, she meant that they are our mentors and coach. They know our concerns and what we need in life.
She further enlightened us that leaders might necessarily not always be the CEO. It is your direct boss who is your leader first. If he isn’t your role model then how can the CEO be your leader, who is at the ultimate level of leadership. Leader is a person to whom you give your life in order to guide you.
By giving the example of the Mount Everest, she explicated that every person when climbing the Everest is holding the rope. That rope is used as a metaphor for leadership and the people holding it are the team. The leader is leading from the top and at every level of the rope there are other leaders who are holding the rope of goals and objectives tightly. She quoted: “This rope means to support each other. I watch your back you watch mine.”
She also emphasized on inspiration and told that without this nothing is possible. She then quoted an example a Janitor who worked at NASA. Someone asked him that what he was doing. He replied by saying that he sends people to space. This shows that he considers himself as a part of the big picture.
She also accentuated to create deep rooted relationships with your employees in order to become a good leader. She told that in December 2012 ABL Banc assurance superseded Bank Alfalah just because of good leadership. The leader mobilized the whole team.
According to her, Rafiq Rangoonwala is a good leader as he inspires her immensely. She then quoted a Swedish proverb: “Rough waters are true test of leaders; in calm water every ship has a good captain.”
By ending her session she explained transformational leadership brilliantly by saying that it is a way to lead and develop people, to transform organization and bring results that weren’t expected.
Leadership can be observed in all aspects even in family where a role playing figure either mother or father plays an important part in nurturing and developing a child’s particular strengths and overcoming their weaknesses. However, it isn’t always the higher authority that can be deemed as a leader like a CEO instead it can be anyone who recognizes you and inspires you towards accomplishing some goal via aligning your focus and through deliberate mentoring and coaching.
That is indeed the main idea what separates transformational and a transactional leader (give and take concept) as the quote clarified: “they don’t start by denying the world around them instead they describe a future they’d like to create instead”. Hence its is only through transforming people how you can transform the organization and bring about the desired outcomes
Ms. Sumera Rafi, product Specialist at Allied Bank Limited talked about the significance of transformational leadership and how it differs from transactional leadership. She was very much centered towards relating her whole session to the real life scenarios so that everyone could relate it in a better way. She started off by mentioning how everyone idealizes family members from a young age and aspires to become like them. Females look at their fathers and brothers for inspiration and want their husbands to be the same and the opposite happens with males. According to Ms. Sumera, while most people mistake a father for the ideal leadership role it is actually the mother who plays the role of a true leader in the family. According to her it is the mother who makes the most sacrifices ultimately physically and mentally to endure children and that is exactly translated into qualities of an excellent transformational leader. Such leaders make big sacrifices for their followers without expecting the tiniest bit of something in return. They guide them, lead them. Transformational leaders look over their followers like mothers on their children, guiding their every move, correcting their wrongs and making sure that they suffer the least harm throughout.
According to Ms. Sumera in the corporate world transformational leadership becomes very necessary and it is not compulsory that a leader needs to be a CEO. Ms. Sumera quoted the example of mountain climbers and how they are the perfect example for transformational leadership. She made it clear that during the climb all the people are tied to each other ensuring that no one gets left behind or no one falls with one person at the front. Technically he is the leader however all of them have each other’s back making it a whole rather than being separate parts and that is exactly how transformational leadership works. The leader inspires and influences his followers in such a way that they become a whole unit with one supporting the other and the leader is also part of that unit instead of being a separate autocratic identity.
Ms. Sumera compared transactional and transformational leadership making it clear that both are worlds apart while one functions purely on the basis of a top to bottom authority mechanics (the transactional one). Transformational actually goes all the way around ensuring that leadership is done through forming a relationship and making sacrifices without expecting anything in return. According to her transformational leaders strive people for inspiration. She also said that great transformational leaders make mobilization of resources in a very effective manner and ensure top notch productivity without bringing in dictatorship of any sort. Great leaders also strive towards one common goal and inspire their followers to do the same. A great transformational leader sees challenges as opportunities and ensures that all his followers go through it and come out victorious, he pushes and inspires his followers to do things they would consider impossible. Great leaders always peruse the evolution of positive change in the social system.
Ms. Sumera Rafi, product Specialist at Allied Bank Limited discussed the centrality of transformational initiative and how it contrasts from value-based administration. She was particularly focused towards relating her entire session to the genuine situations so that everybody could relate it in a better. She began off by specifying how everybody glorifies relatives from a youthful age and tries to wind up like them. Females take a gander at their fathers and siblings for motivation and need their spouses to be the same and the inverse happens with guys
Transformation really goes the distance around guaranteeing that authority is done through framing a relationship and making penances without expecting anything consequently. As indicated by her transformation leaders endeavor individuals for motivation. She additionally said that awesome transformation leaders make assembly of assets in an exceptionally compelling way and guarantee choice profitability without getting autocracy of any kind. Incredible leaders additionally endeavor towards one shared objective and motivate their supporters to do likewise. An extraordinary transformation leaders considers difficulties to be open doors and guarantees that every one of his supporters experience it and turn out successful, he pushes and rouses his adherents to do things they would consider outlandish. Extraordinary pioneers dependably examine the development of positive change in the social framework.
Ms. Sumera also sain that in the corporate world transformational authority turns out to be exceptionally essential and it is not obligatory that a leader should be a CEO. Ms. Sumera cited the case of mountain climbers and how they are the ideal case for transformational administration. She made it clear that amid the ascension every one of the general population are attached to each other guaranteeing that nobody gets left behind or nobody falls with one individual at the front. In fact he is the pioneer anyway every one of them have each other’s back making it an entire as opposed to being separate parts and that is precisely how transformational authority functions. The pioneer motivates and impacts his adherents in a manner that they turn into an entire unit with one supporting the other and the pioneer is additionally part of that unit as opposed to being a different totalitarian personality.
Ms. Sumera Rafi, the Product Manager of Bank assurance and Visa Debit at Allied Bank Limited conducted a session on Transformational Leadership. She started off her lecture with explaining the difference between transactional leadership and transformational leadership. Transactional leadership is one in which the leader make it followers work for a contingent reward whereas transformational leader is one that provoke it followers, stand behind them like a father. The common ground among both the leadership styles are that they are working towards achieving similar organizational goals and objectives.
She further explained transformational leadership, it seeks to lead and drive change for the better within their teams through leading by for example; inspiring others to achieve great things; creating buy in and motivation through self-actualization and creating deep rooted relationships on individual basis. A leader who is successful will take others along with him. She also discussed the concept of self-actualization; it is that one stage in life where a person thinks that he did what he wanted to do. It is the stage which makes you feel that it is all what you wanted to achieve throughout your life and differs from person to person.
Transformational leader leads and drive is one of the most important factors in order to bring change in an organization. He is a role model that will create a deep rooted relationship with everyone in an organization. Leaders might necessarily not always be the CEO. It can be your immediate boss who is your leader first. If he isn’t your role model then how can the CEO be your leader, who is at the ultimate level of leadership. Leader guides you. Unlike transactional leaders who care about the deliverables only transformational leaders mobilizes on it. They don’t deny the world around them instead they describe a future that they need to create.
A true transformational leader is analyzed through rough and tough times. When they stand with its people. Ms. Sumera quoted the example of mountain climbers and how they are the perfect example for transformational leadership. A true leader stands from the front and from behind also.
She further explained that leadership is an interchangeable goal where not only one person is a leader; ever other person can be a leader in case of working towards the betterment of organization. So concluding it’s about transforming people that in return will transform organization in terms of achievement of superior organizational goals and objectives.
Ms. Sumera Rafi, Product Specialist at Allied Bank Limited conducted a session on transformational leadership. She started the session by explaining that in family, transformational Leadership role is played by Mothers. Not merely CEO is a leader, your immediate boss can also be a leader. Anyone can be a leader irrespective of the position.
She described the four components of Transformational leadership: Influencer – Being a charismatic role model who builds confidence and trust. He provides meaningful work and setting high standards – Motivation. He encourages creativity by questioning common assumptions and beliefs – Stimulation. He, being a mentor by responding to individual needs – Consideration.
“A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”
There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock, go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way. The leader is going to hold on to the end of the rope and each of the followers will hold on to the rope as well. As long as they keep holding on to the rope, they will be able to follow the leader. Leader cannot see back but he is not alone.
She also discussed about Self-actualization, is growth of an individual toward fulfillment of the highest needs; those for meaning in life, in particular. The motivation to realize one’s own maximum potential and possibilities.
When you are in a group where someone took control of the situation by conveying a clear vision of the group’s goals, a marked passion for the work, and an ability to make the rest of the group feel recharged and energized. This person is called a transformational leader.
Transformational leadership is a type of leadership style that can inspire positive changes in those who follow.
She gave an example how her team led, there was a concept of some people in ABL that brochures should be kept in the store not to distribute to customer otherwise stock of brochures will come to an end if brochures were distributed to customers, customers visit to bank they take brochures with them. Her team took lead and distributed the updated brochures to all 99 branches and advise concerned persons that brochures are for the use of customers. If customers will not be aware of our product how they will purchase our product. Transformational leaders are energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate. Not only are these leaders concerned and involved in the process; they are also focused on helping every member of the group succeed as well.
Leader just not leads but moving all the team for the betterment of team and leads by example. Just like, teacher mobilizes you and focus you towards your goal, he is also a transformational leader because whole class follows teacher.
Transformational leadership, transform people and in return people transform the organization.
* leadership very important.
*She believes in transformational leadership.
*Father gives an idealize influence.
*clothes are the leader for everyone.
*Father in-law goes for transactional leadership.
* Leader might not be your CEO but it can be your managers too.
*The movies “Everest”.
*Supporting each other with the leader taking the lead in mountain climbing (the role of the rope in mountain climbing).
*Transformational leader seeks to lead and drive change.
*Self _ actualization~› the feeling that is set within your self to attain a position.
*An office colleague who always helped her is a role model for her who used to help her out for little things like Ms excel without getting irritated.
* They made a team, changed the collaterals, made brochures and send then to all the branches. This resulted in their success of making a 7 billion deposit.
*Rangoonwala is the one of the most highly paid executive, he was her class fellow and remembered her and called her by name in a program in Marriot and helped her to enter in the program although he met her after a long time.
*Transformational leader don’t start by denying the world around them. Instead, they describe a future they’d like to create inside.
*Rough water are truer tests of leadership. ln clam water ever ship has a good captain.
*A leader… Is like a shepherd.
*You transform the people and it is actually people who transform the organization.
I found your observation (and of others in the thread) with regards to the session very interesting, thereby I couldn’t resist replying to your narration/ understanding in particular.
The crux of entire session was how transformational leaders nurture their colleagues/ peers/ subordinates & channelize their strengths for an overall high-end aim/ objective.
The examples/ metaphors used in the session were only to relate real life examples for better understanding and long term remembrance….or at least this is how we remember theories from our time at Uni even as of now…( which seems light years away though:).
Here i would like to add that the event of marketing collaterals being kept in vaults, was just one of the many instances which we encountered i.e. the core issue is resistance to the accepted norms/ routine. The important fact is no one wants to ruffle their feathers and want to live in their respective comfort zones instead. It is a tedious and painstaking task to change the overall mindset of people, thereby the immediate reaction is to resist change.
If you want to change the basic understanding/ perception of people within the organization,it is thus, the vision and the confidence given by the transformational leader that makes us believe that yes we might be able to achieve the unthinkable. Quoting some of the instances were intended to keep the session as an interactive one, i.e. to avoid boring classroom session talk where most of the attendants loathe & wait for the bell to ring.
I would like to clarify that Mr. Rafiq Rangoonwala is respected for his humility and magnanimous demeanor not because of his salary :)…although he was one of the highest paid executives of Pakistan at one time. A leader does not consider himself to be a self- centered super human ; instead is deep grounded aiming for the stars.
Also, if i may add that the Bank achieved the exponential rise in the deposit because of the ownership being taken by the field force to achieve the collective overall target of the Bank, not by printing marketing collaterals; in fact it was the recognition of individuals on weekly basis on Pan Pakistan basis which boosted their morale and subsequently led to a successful campaign.
All-in-all, it was an amazingly refreshing session and I would like to wish you all the very best in achieving your respective goals in life.
Ms.Sumeira Rafi, Product Manager Allied Bank limited shared her views on Transformational Leadership. She started her session by giving us real life examples of transformational and transactional leaders to make it easier for us to relate and understand the topic being discussed. In transformational leadership, they are four main components: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration. Ms. Sumeira also told us that we all have a transformational leader in our lives in the form of our mothers. The reason being is that they sacrifice so much for their family and expect nothing in return and these are some of the qualities required of a transformational leader.
According to Ms. Sumeira, it is not necessary that a leader should be a CEO of the organization. Rather we find leaders in many walks of our lives. She quoted the example of a mountain climbers to explain transformational leadership. She said that all the people are tied to each other, so that if anyone falls down or gets left behind the others are there to help him. Hence transformational leaders play a very important role in building teamwork and inspire his followers to work towards one common goal.
Ms. Sumeira also gave her views on transactional and transformational leadership saying that both these forms of leadership are directed towards the same goal which is performance beyond expectations. She also highlighted that great leaders carries the team with their own success and move towards one common goal and inspire their followers to do exactly the same. Ms. Sumeira said that transformational leaders don’t start by denying the world around them, instead, they describe a future they like to create instead.
Ms. Sumeria Rafi, the Product Manager of Bank assurance and Visa Debit at Allied Bank Limited conducted a session on Transformational Leadership. she started her session by discussing the four main components which are idealized influence,inspirational motivation,intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration. She said that it creates deep rooted relationships on individual basis.Leader should manage all the matters by example so to get the desired outputs and to get outstanding performance.The transformational leader seeks to lead and drive change for the better within their team.Leader should not start by denying his duty is to work at any cost should buck up people do their job. A good leader should firstly transform people first and then transform the organization.She told us that we a ll have a transformation leader in our lives in the form of our mothers the reason being is that they sacrifice so much for our family and they do not expect any return these are some of qualities required for transformational Leader.She told that it is not necessary that a CEO Can be Leader
in the organization it also plays a very important role in building teamwork.She said great leader carries the team with there own success. She gave an example of his office colleague who always helped her is a role model for her who used to help her out for little things like Ms excel without getting irritated. A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, let the most nimble go out where upon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.She also discussed about Self-actualization, is growth of an individual toward fulfillment of the highest needs; those for meaning in life in particular.
Ms. Sumera Rafi, the Product Manager at Allied Bank Limited gave an interesting session on Transformational Leadership to our class. She explained that leadership is process in which we consider a person as a leader who is our role model. By using the example of father and father in law. She explained father as transitional leader and father in law as transactional leader. Further she explained the four transformational leadership components: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation. She explained idealized influence as by giving an example that our fathers are always at our back. They are our role models. Inspirational motivation means that our fathers inspire and motivate us at every stage of our lives. Intellectual stimulation means that our fathers are always challenging us to handle the difficult situations and by individualized consideration, she meant that they are our mentors and coach. Further she said that leaders might necessarily not always be the CEO. It is your immediate boss who is your leader first. If he is not your role model then how can the CEO be your leader, who is at the ultimate level of leadership?
She further emphasized on inspiration and without inspiration nothing is achievable. She then shared an example of a Janitor who worked at NASA. Someone asked him that what he was doing. He replied by saying that he sends people to space. This shows that he considers himself as a part of the big thing.
Further she said that, to develop good relationships with your employees in order to become a good leader. She told that in December 2012 ABL superseded Bank Alfalah (in terms of just because of good leadership. The leader mobilized the whole team. She considers, Rafiq Rangoonwala is a good leader as he inspires her immensely. She then quoted a Swedish proverb: “Rough waters are true test of leaders; in calm water every ship has a good captain.”
She concluded by saying, that, transformational leadership is a way to lead and develop people, to transform organization and bring results that are not expected.
Ms Sumera Rafi, Product Specialist from Allied bank Limited shared with us various lessons from her personal experiences about transformational leadership. She described that a mother is basically what a leader is and should be. She takes care of her children, always stands by them and acts as a role model to them. She said that the best way to differentiate between transactional and transformational leadership approaches is to look at them as a father and a father in law. Moreover, she explained that transactional leaders are like strict bosses that thrives on expected outcomes and wants to get their work done no matter what, like sales head who just concentrates on getting certain numbers. Transformational leadership comprises of idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration. Both consider getting performances beyond expectations.
She associated transformational leadership with mountain climbing summit. In the summit, you have teams and each team is assigned with a custodian who knows everything and who is basically responsible for your life. Also, there is a rope attached to every team member signifying team spirit that means you watch my back I’ll watch yours. Here, the role of transformational leadership is quite evident as his job is to lead and drive the change for the benefit of the team. He leads the team by going first symbolizing a behavior of lead by example and inspires others to take the step. Also, his job is to create a buy in and motivate others with consensus.
Another important thing which she thought is pivotal for a leader to become transformational is self actualization. It is the feelings from within that gives you jubilation like this is what I always wanted to do. Ms. Sumera described how a leader channelizes and mobilizes focus of its followers by relating it to the shepherd and herd scenario where the shepherd guides its herd to flow in the direction provided by him.
In addition to this, she emphasized the value of creating deep rooted relationship with the leader which can be apparent with the way you idealize and respect him. She gave an example of one of her bosses from Allied Bank who despite of being so senior never refused her even for once for the same query she get stuck to every time in one of the formulas in excel. He always helped her without showing a hint of infuriation towards her. She developed so much respect and adulation for him that even now she considers him her inspiration.
Moreover, Ms. Sumera gave an example of how his boss believed in her ability to carrying out a project of disseminating marketing collaterals (brochures) of different products to 1000 branches all over the country, without any prior experience. Earlier, this practice was not happening in the company as tellers in the branches used to keep it in their cash vaults instead of putting it on their desks for the customers. This entire project generated a turnover of 7 Billion. According to her, a leader should own you she explained this concept brilliantly with her personal example where Mr. Rafiq Rangoonwala, who is the highest paid executive of our country, remembered her from her name in one of the conferences and asked her to sit inside when one of her friends forgot to buy her a pass for attending the conference.
She concluded that we can all become leaders by transforming others so transformational leadership is about transforming the people and in return they actually transform the organization.
Guest Speaker Session by Sumera Rafi
On Saturday, 24 September, 2016, Mr. Shiraz Ahmed’s Leadership, Ethics, and Change class had the privilege to hear the thoughts and wisdom of Miss Sumera Rafi, who serves as Product Specialist at Allied Bank Limited (ABL). The rough 60 minute session was not only full of knowledge, but showcased how the term “leadership” is consistent with what we have learned in class and how theory seems to be directly acquired from practice.
Background
Miss Sumera Rafi has valiantly served at Allied Bank Limited, in her capacity as a Product Specialist, leading various products, brands, and programs such as Bancassurance. While she may not have as much experience as the previous guest speaker, Mr. Abbas Sajjad, she certainly displayed greater tenacity, energy, and her own take on leadership that sure fired up the class.
The Session
Sumera Rafi began with the general question on what leadership is and what the difference between a regular leader and a transformational leader is. Interestingly enough, she likened the difference between a father and a father in law, where the father in law wants results and will push you only to them and a father will always guide you and push you beyond your own capabilities so you can excel.
She also likened a leader to a mother, where her constant care and guidance, coupled with her selfless attitude, helped her children, substituted for team, flourish. According to Miss Sumera Rafi, that’s what a leader is.
Using the movie Everest and the concept of climbing it as a similar concept, she talked about how a leader was the mountain climbing guide who connected the team behind them by rope. In doing so, she showed that a leader not only moves forward but pulls the entire team with them. Moreover, if they fell, the entire team, due to their connection, could pick them up.
She continued on to detail the differences between a traditional transactional leader and a transformational one, citing major differences that fell in line with what we were learning the same day. She talked about how a transformational leader works as a role model, adhering to ethical behavior and exemplifying small things such as remembering team members’ names to become an ideal example for them. They not only inspire their team to reach their goals, but go beyond them.
Miss Sumera Rafi further likened a leader using a ‘shepherd and herd’ concept, where the shepherd was the leader and the team was the sheep. The leader’s job is to guide the team in the right direction, like the shepherd guides their sheep through a small fence. In doing so, they always ensure the best for the team.
Conclusion
While some examples may have seemed rather strange, Miss Sumera Rafi was definitely inspired and motivated by her own boss and CEO, who seemed to have left not only a mark on her, but a library of wisdom in her through his own selfless example. She passed on that same wisdom to us and entrusted us to be transformational leaders, and showing how our theory comes directly from an extraction of best practices in the field, like she aptly demonstrated and discussed.
Miss Sumaira Rafi- Product Manager and Head of Visa Debt at Allied Bank
Ms. Sumaira had conveyed his speech on Transformational leadership through different examples and her past experiences which helps us to clearing more about transformational leadership.
In the beginning she discussed the difference between transformational leader and transactional leader, She stated that Transactional Leader is the person who lead and manage the team same as transformational leader but in case of transactional leader, he is the one who treat us as father-in-law, who is in relationship of give and take, If they reward to their follower on their performance so even they will punish on their mistakes while transformational leader role is same as father whose objective is to giving their child selflessly without the expectation of return.
She discussed most of their past experiences she said that she will deny that just CEO was the leader she believed that may be your immediate manager will be your leader.
She discussed one of his bad experience with her past employment, during this sharing of her bad experience she want us to make aware that the person who is good in front of you not all the time will be good at your back, as this she had share their life experience of their immediate manager at the time of appraisal.
She discussed that even she makes awareness to their teller of their bank who hide brochures in safe to avoid that customer would take it, she makes awareness that these brochures is not for a safe these are for customers and market. She shared one of their experience that their present manager who lead 100 branches at a time without a single disturbance.
She also discussed that the person who is quiet and silent is not necessary that they will not helpful, cooperative or not be a good leader. She discussed an example of her last manager who was quiet and do not have any concern rather than their work but he was much helpful to her when she need him, even when she call her today he give her a positive response and help her.
She gives one example of leader is that at the time of climbing you give all your responsibility to you guide and they were responsible for you at that time even they will be the leader of you at that time and manage you properly.
She concluded their speech by giving an example of Rafiq Rangoonwala who is Chief Executive Officer of MAP and one of the highest paid CEO, she said that once upon a day that person after meeting come to her and call her name and ask “Sumaira everything alright” so that makes her so proud that the highest paid CEO knows her by her name that is the quality of transformational leader at that time she inspires a lot from him. In their conclusion she said that Transformational leader transforming knowledge and skills to people and that people transforming to the organization.
Ms. Sumera Rafi, the Product Manager of Banc assurance and Visa Debit at Allied Bank Limited gave a session on Transformational Leadership. With a lot of real-life examples and her experiences she made the session interesting and attention grabbing.
In the beginning of the session, she explained that leadership is a technique. It is an art of handling your workers/ team successfully. When the term leader comes in our mind we consider it as a chief who we consider as our role model. She further explained this with an example of a father and a father in law where she defined that transformational leadership performs the function of management simply like our fathers who are very caring and owns us and our every single decision, whereas, the transactional leadership is just like how the father in law treats us.
In transformational leadership, she explained 4 components that are an idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation.
According to her leadership is very important we all have some sort of inspiration in our life. The idea she gave was that leaders cannot necessarily be your CEO. She also highlighted that direct boss is the one who becomes your ultimate chief. If he isn’t your role model then how can the CEO be your leader who is at the top level of the hierarchy.
She gave the instance of the Mount Everest, she explained that the leader is leading from the top and at each stage of the rope there are other leaders who are protecting the rope of dreams and goals tightly, The simple thought behind this example was to watch and check each other’s back/ moves and supporting each other morally and physically.
She also emphasized on the fact that a leader is an individual to whom you give your existence in order to guide you. She informed that a leader’s quality is that he mobilizes his team and tries to motivate and inspire his team through the kind of dedication and efforts he put in to make his team a success runner and achieving the set objectives of the organization. According to her, Rafiq Rangoonwala is an accurate chief as he inspires her greatly in many ways.
In the end, she concluded the session by explaining the importance of leadership and how to transform a leader. She further explained that transformational leadership is all about bringing the positive change in the management system and encouraging the workers in order to achieve the organizational goals and objectives.
Ms Sumera Rafi, Product manager from Allied bank restricted shared with us numerous training from her personal studies about transformational leadership. She defined that a mother is basically what a pacesetter is and must be. She looks after her kids, always stands via them and acts as a function version to them. She said that the quality manner to differentiate between transactional and transformational management procedures is to have a look at them as a father and a father in regulation. moreover, she defined that transactional leaders are like strict bosses that thrives on predicted results and wants to get their work accomplished no matter what, like income head who simply concentrates on getting sure numbers. Transformational management incorporates of idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration. each don’t forget getting performances past expectations.
She associated transformational leadership with mountain climbing summit. within the summit, you have got groups and each group is assigned with a custodian who knows the entirety and who is essentially liable for your existence. also, there is a rope connected to every group member signifying team spirit which means you watch my lower back I’ll watch yours. here, the position of transformational leadership is pretty glaring as his job is to guide and force the change for the benefit of the group. He leads the crew by means of going first symbolizing a behavior of lead by example and evokes others to take the step. also, his activity is to create a buy in and encourage others with consensus.
every other crucial thing which she notion is pivotal for a leader to end up transformational is self actualization. it’s far the feelings from within that gives you jubilation like this is what I constantly desired to do. Ms. Sumera defined how a frontrunner channelizes and mobilizes consciousness of its fans through pertaining to it to the shepherd and herd state of affairs where the shepherd courses its herd to glide inside the path provided via him.
similarly to this, she emphasised the value of creating deep rooted courting with the chief which may be obvious with the manner you idealize and admire him. She gave an instance of certainly one of her bosses from Allied bank who regardless of of being so senior by no means refused her even for as soon as for the equal query she get caught to whenever in one of the formulas in excel. He continually helped her with out showing a hint of infuriation closer to her. She evolved so much respect and adulation for him that even now she considers him her notion.
within the company it also plays a totally vital role in building teamwork.She said exceptional leader consists of the group with there own achievement.
Miss Sumaira Rafi- Product Manager and Head of Visa Debt at Allied Bank started her talk by giving her introduction and how she was demotivated when she joined Allied Bank and challenges she faced in transforming people in Allied Bank. She talked about the idea that a leader idealized influence which means a transformational leader has certain influence on the employees which gives them inspirational motivation which enhance their Intellectual Stimulation. There are two types of boss, one who follows transactional leadership and other is the one who follows transformational leadership. Both expect performance beyond outcomes. She also said that people at top positions such as CEOS are not always leaders and it needs other qualities to become a leader. She aided this point by saying that when certain people are climbing by the rope every person in front of the other person can become a leader.
She also talked about her role model who never said No to help her when she had problems in any of her work and according to her a leader is the one who is very humble and down to earth with his or her employees. So she said it is necessary to be humble with people around you.
In her view Transformational leader seeks to lead and drive change. She also talked about the importance of team working and how a leader can build an effective team. Leader does not only lead but also drive change for the team. A leader always inspire others by his or her own performance or abilities or behavior and he does not force anyone to change or be inspired. People get inspired by him automatically.
Self-actualization is the feeling that gives employees a high motivation and to create this feeling a leader has to work effectively. Without the help of a leader an employee can not achieve this status of Self-actualization. She also said that the work of the teacher is to channelize. She then talked about the Deep rooted relationships which means person should be there for their employees in the time of problems or hardships. They should be personally attached to people around them and should try to solve their problems and help them. An effective leader is the one who knows the strength of people around them and they capitalize on their strengths and work on their weaknesses to make them more strong. They do not consider anyone less or more important. Leaders does not only motivate from the front but also direct from the back and give their employees all the back up they need.
Ms. Sumera Rafi, who works at Allied Bank Private Limited, gave a very inspiring session over transformational leadership where she discussed about how TL plays an important role in an organization. According to her a leader is the one who provides constant guidance and works selflessly to improve his employees. If we even see around us we can see our mothers who are performing this duty every day and acts as a leader when it comes to inspire us, motivate and guide us. She is the one who tells her children about right and wrong. This is exactly what a leader does. He enlightens his employees, inspire them and bring them on a single aim.
She also talked about the climbers who are trekking with the single vision in mind to reach the top. They work as a team with a leader in front of them. They are all attached to each other in a single rope which helps them to move together. Each one ahead acts as a leader and guider who make the walk and climb high. To reach destination working together is important than working in isolation.
She also compared transformational leadership and transactional leadership. She said that transactional leaders are worried more about fruitfulness and results of work. However, transformational leaders guide you constantly, selflessly and want that his employee prospers. They are the ones who inspire others and they have high chance to become your mentor. You look upon them even for the tiniest information and seek their help.
She also talked about the shepherd who walks ahead of sheep if he wants them to walk in one direction and reach destination however, to make them pass from certain gate he stands at their back and make them move. He while doing this acts as a leader who knows where to watch them and where to guide them. Leader is just like this shepherd they know the best in you and the best you can do to utilize your knowledge and skills. They can see what you cannot. They are the ones who give you the charge and confidence to do what seems to be impossible.
To bring minor transformations they give freedom to their employees to do as they want however, they make sure the ultimate goal of everyone is similar to that of the organization. He knows what an employee is capable to do and what he lacks. Looking on such things he makes a single team for small projects to bring changes within the organization. He is the one who increases your self esteem and make you go beyond your imaginations for the organization.
Ms. Sumera Rafi is the Product Manager of Banc assurance and Visa Debit at Allied Bank Limited. She was invited as a guest speaker in our leadership class to discuss about transformational leadership. According to her we all have those people in life who we adore and wants to be like them. Leader is that person who influences us and provides us intellectual stimulation. She quoted an example saying like for a girl, her father is a role model, whom she wants to follow and become like him. In transformational leadership there are four components: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation. she compared father to be like a transformational leader and father in law to be transactional leader. Transactional leaders expect outcomes whereas, transformational leaders they expect outcomes but with the comfort and satisfaction of the employee. The end goal of both the leaders are to achieve performance beyond expectations.
She also clarified that it’s not necessary that only CEOs will be the leaders of the organization. For us our immediate supervisor could be the leader. If he isn’t your role model then how can the CEO be your leader, who is at the ultimate level of leadership. Leader is a person to whom you give your life in order to guide you. When u climb the mountain so you tie rope to all the members so that each member see the back of the other member and no one gets lost. The one who is at the front not only goes up but also takes everyone along with him. transformational leaders are just like them. When the leader goes up he takes all the rest with him. if someone gets hurt they leave them at the safe place and come back after completing the goal. Leaders do not only motivate from the front but also direct from the back and give their employees all the back up they need. According to her, Rafiq Rangoonwala is a good leader as he inspires her immensely. She then quoted a Swedish proverb: “Rough waters are true test of leaders; in calm water every ship has a good captain.”
She also pressurizes inspiration and told that without this nothing is possible. She then referred an example a Janitor who worked at NASA. He was sweeping the floor when someone asked him that what he was doing. He replied by saying that he sends people to space which reflects that he has been treated in a way which makes him feel that he is the part of the big picture.
She also talked about self actualization. It is a moment in one’s life where you give damn about what others say and u stand up for self and feel happy. It’s the feeling that you feel once u reach the summit when hardworks pays off.
Lastly she said that transformational leaders don’t transform the organization rather they transform the people to achieve the desired results. successful leader is the one who knows the strength of people around them and they take advantage of their strengths and work on their weaknesses to make them more strong.
Ms. Sumera Rafi, the Product manager from Allied Bank Limited shared a vital knowledge on Transformational Leadership. Which she made very interesting by sharing a number of real-life examples and her experiences.
She started the session by explaining the techniques of leadership and told us that leadership is how to successfully handle your workers. Whenever we hear the word leader we think it as someone who is a chief or our role model whom we want to follow and to be like him/her and she also gave an example of a father and a father in law in which she very clearly explained that transformational leadership performs the function of management simply like our fathers who are very caring and owns us and our every single decision, whereas, the transformational leadership is just like how the father in law treats us.
She explained the 4 components of transformational leadership that are: an idealized influence, inspirational motivation, individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation.
In her opinions leadership plays a vital role in our lives, everybody is inspired of someone, it is not important that it should be the chief executive officer of your company, your chief can be your direct boss but if he is not your leader then how can the CEO be your role model who is top from everyone.
She further highlighted her session by giving the example of Mount Everest in which she explained that the leader is always on the top of it and the persons who are climbing are more leaders who are working hard to achieve the goals and targets. This example clearly explains that in a company everyone is supporting each other and not a single work can be done without the absence of one person of a certain company with the guidance of the leader.
She told us that a leader is a person who motivates his workers, leads them on the right path, inspires them he endeavors the goals and objectives of his company. Leader is that one person whom we trust and give our self to lead us right. She is even told us about the person she is inspired of Rafiq Rangoonwala who she is very much inspired of.
She concluded by telling us the relevance of leadership and how to transform into a leader and she even told us that if positive changes are made in the management system of the company it can encourage transformational leadership which helps in achieving goals and objectives easily.
Sumera Rafi is associated with banking sector from last 12 years and is currently working at Allied Bank. She has headed many successful projects in insurance and visa products in his career. She shared her experiences with us. She explained all the dimensions of transformational leadership by giving examples from her own career. She firstly discussed the difference between the transformational and transactional leadership. She highlighted that the ultimate goal of both the leaderships is to produce results but the major difference is the process through which you yield results. She gave the example of movie Everest and how everyone works as a team player to achieve the target. She said the leader’s task is not just to lead from the front but also to be at the back of its team in case of need. The concept of role model was discussed where she talked about her role model. It is important that you look up to your leader and that he gives you confidence. She shared an experience where someone’s behavior inspired and motivated her to take him as a leader. Other key element of discussion was support and trust that is provided by a leader. A transformational leader is one who is capable of analyzing your strengths and knows how to capitalize them. It is the ability of transformational leader to motivate and inspire others and this quality of your immediate boss can be a great influence. She also cleared the doubts that CEO or head of the company is not the leader instead immediate boss can also be a leader if he inspires you towards a vision. Creating strong leadership is a must for a leader because it is the basis of team work. If a leader fails to maintain good relations he would not reach the goal. Individual consideration is the basis of strong relationship and she explained that mentoring makes a transformational leader. She said that her immediate boss has been her mentor and even now after leaving the jobs he look up to him for guidance. By sharing her experiences she cleared the concept of transformational leadership and how one can work towards becoming one. She also shared the quote of Nelson Mandela and explained it with reference to transformational leadership. She said that transactional leaders are not true leaders and she herself believes in transformational leadership. Her experiences highlighted the importance of good leadership and how it impacts in attainment of goals. Popular transformational leaders are those who are inspirational, ethical, and intellectual and are good mentors. All these qualities were explained by her through examples of her personal experiences.
We had the chance to have an absolutely amazing guest speaker in our class on Saturday. Ms Sumera from Allied Bank was an absolute delight to listen to. She has over 12 years of experience and shared with us with a good humour, her journey of Allied bank.
She had prepared a presentation for us In advance which was impressive considering the busy work schedule she must have.
Anyway, she started by telling us how different types of bosses leave an impact on people. She shared her story of a bad boss and a great boss. Ms Sumera explained transactional leadership with the example of a household and the explained transformational leadership with the example of the summit climbing movie Everest. She explained how a true leader takes everyone along. She related this by giving us the example of a rope that ties everyone together when climbing a mountain. The rope ensures that the success of one person is transferred to another and so own. It shows how true leadership values teamwork.
Moreover, Ms Sumera explained how Transformational Leadership seeks to lead and drive change. This is done through leading by example. A leader does not give orders and gets work done but helps along the way.
She told us how leaders help you reach self actualization. And how they help you channelize your energies towards a focused approach. Also, she went on by saying how leaders create deep rooted relationships. She validated this by describing her relationship with her team leader, where he had empowered her In accomplishing major tasks and how she still trusts him.
Leaders create relationships on an individual basis, they remember team member’s names. She told us how Mr Rafiq Rangoonwala remembered her name and recognized her as an individual. They mingle with their team and do not stand alone.
She shared the inspiring story of her bank and how over 8000 employees were motivated towards ONE goal.
Her presentation was equally inspiring and what caught my attention was a quote that said “rough waters are a truer test of leadership. In calm water, every ship has a good captain”.
She closed the session by telling us how a transformational leader transforms people and how in turn the people transform the organization.
Transformational leadership is the best way to lead and develop the people is who in turn give you unexpectedly superior results
The session conducted by Ms. Sumaira Rafi – Product Manager and Head of Visa Debt at Allied Bank spoke about Transformational and Transactional leadership. She started of with relating these two big terms with the difference in a Father and Father-in-law.
She related both terms pretty well which made it very interesting. She Added ” However the ultimate ends for both relations are performance beyond expectations”
Further she stated ” Your CEO’s does not necessarily mean he is your leader” and I agree.
She told us a story regarding Mountain Hiking, and how each and every member needs to be a leader, Not just the one who’s in front. The important thing however was the rope that is attached to each member of the team i,e if one falls everyone goes down.
Then she moved on to the definition of Transformational leader i.e He/she seeks to lead and drive change within their teams through example, inspiring others to achieve, creating buy-in and motivation through self-actualization and creating deep rooted relationships on individual basis.
A quote by Seth Godin was displayed stating leaders don’t start by denying the world around them. Instead they describe a future they’d like to create instead.
It’s really great that people are sharing this innoamrtiof.
We’re talking about … We’re talking about elected parts of government Obama and the Dems control(Judicial, Congress, Senate, and WH). I’m not a moron. I know there’s only 3 branches of Executive, Legislative, + Judicial. Being a lib I’m sure you think Judicial makes the laws, right? Nice insults, though. Wouldn’t expect more from a lib that uses a complete and total failure like a guy from the bankrupt Air America who can’t answer a question 2 supposedly prove his point while failing beyond miserably. Try again.
The guest speaker session by Sumera Rafi, product specialist at ABL on significance of leadership was definitely an inspirational one. The session not only involved theory on transformational and transactional leadership but what was inspiring was the personal work life examples she shared with us.
It’s true how she said leaders play the same roles as mothers. Just like a mother in a house is responsible for the wellbeing, nourishment and success of each family member, leaders play the same role. Constant support and guide, inspiring family members, setting an example are all equally qualities of a leader. Leader is the ultimate role model who helps its followers pave paths for what’s best for them.
During her session, she enlightened on the different types of leadership. Transactional leadership is about giving and taking, rewards and punishments whereas while highlighting upon the real meaning of transformational leadership, she explained it’s where the leader guides and supports his/her team through a change by creating that vision and inspiration that actually helps a team execute the change. The aim is to instill within the followers a sense of constant improvement, striving for the better, raising the levels of morality and motivation. Our teachers are also a form of transformational leaders who builds in us the confidence and the motivation to take up challenging and tough tasks and brings in us the flexibility needed for our success and betterment in future.
She also discussed the concept of self actualization and its significance. It is the key of transformational leaders where they actually build those strong relations and bond with their followers. This, according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs play a crucial role in motivation. Leaders, by motivating thier followers and making them realize their full potential bring the best out of them. That’s the real quality of a true leader: someone who inspires to extract the best out of his followers so that they prosper. He shows the success of the team is his ultimate success and vice versa.
By giving examples like of a Shepherd where he trains his herd, leaders also supports his team to stay focused, knowing the real capabilities of their followers and putting them in a situation where they are best suited.
Rafiq Rangoonwala, according to her is a great leader. She is immensely inspired by her. She also quoted a Swedish proverb: “Rough waters are true test of leaders; in calm water every ship has a good captain’”
She remarkably concluded saying that leaders actually know the right way to develop, guide and lead the people and transform the overall organization where the results are what which were beyond the actual expectations.
This session brought about great leanings for all of us that we, as employees in the corporate life can actually implement, drive the best out from within us and also from within our teams. It’s definitely a gradual concept which one learns and develops overtime.
A great quote that actually kept me hooked throughout the session mentioned by her was:
“they don’t start by denying the world around them instead they describe a future they’d like to create instead”
In the second Sumera Rafi, Product Specialist at Allied Bank Limited, talked about the transformational leadership and transactional leadership and highlighted the differences between the two leadership approaches.
She explained the differences between both approaches by explaining the term “transactional” refers to the fact that this type of leader essentially motivates subordinates by exchanging rewards for performance. A transactional leader generally does not look ahead in strategically guiding an organization to a position of market leadership; instead, these managers are solely concerned with making sure everything flows smoothly today.Wheras Transformational leadership styles focus on team-building, motivation and collaboration with employees at different levels of an organization to accomplish change for the better. Transformational leaders set goals and incentives to push their subordinates to higher performance levels, while providing opportunities for personal and professional growth for each employee.
She quoted the example of Everest, and added when climbers climbing towards highest point there is a leader who is leading and other are following along the rope and everyone give guidance to other and leading the person behind him. Similarly leadership in business environment follows the same approach leader brings all employees together understands their strengths and weaknesses. Assign them tasks and responsibilities according to their ability. So leader is the one who identifies your hidden strengths, ability and give you trust that you can successfully complete the given tasks.
Leaders are not only CEOs, everybody can become leaders. Both the approaches are different but the result demanded is same that is the performance which should be beyond expectation. The transformational leaders lead and drive. They take you along don’t leave member. Inspires by setting examples to achieve.
She explained self-actualization means the level on which you want to be and gives satisfaction and this is the work of leaders to guide you.
Leaders mobilize and channelizes followers in common direction. Leaders own his followers then you idealized them. Transactional leaders want deliverables.
She quoted a saying of Nelson Mandela:
“A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.
Leaders are shepherd, they back from backend to move you forward. Leadership is interchangeable role. Leaders change followers and followers change organizational culture.
In the second Sumera Rafi, Product Specialist at Allied Bank Limited, talked about the transformational leadership and transactional leadership and highlighted the differences between the two leadership approaches.
She explained the differences between both approaches by explaining the term “transactional” refers to the fact that this type of leader essentially motivates subordinates by exchanging rewards for performance. A transactional leader generally does not look ahead in strategically guiding an organization to a position of market leadership; instead, these managers are solely concerned with making sure everything flows smoothly today.Wheras Transformational leadership styles focus on team-building, motivation and collaboration with employees at different levels of an organization to accomplish change for the better. Transformational leaders set goals and incentives to push their subordinates to higher performance levels, while providing opportunities for personal and professional growth for each employee.
She quoted the example of Everest, and added when climbers climbing towards highest point there is a leader who is leading and other are following along the rope and everyone give guidance to other and leading the person behind him. Similarly leadership in business environment follows the same approach leader brings all employees together understands their strengths and weaknesses. Assign them tasks and responsibilities according to their ability. So leader is the one who identifies your hidden strengths, ability and give you trust that you can successfully complete the given tasks.
Leaders are not only CEOs, everybody can become leaders. Both the approaches are different but the result demanded is same that is the performance which should be beyond expectation. The transformational leaders lead and drive. They take you along don’t leave member. Inspires by setting examples to achieve.
She explained self-actualization means the level on which you want to be and gives satisfaction and this is the work of leaders to guide you.
Leaders mobilize and channelizes followers in common direction. Leaders own his followers then you idealized them. Transactional leaders want deliverables.
She quoted a saying of Nelson Mandela:
“A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.
Leaders are shepherd, they back from backend to move you forward. Leadership is interchangeable role. Leaders change followers and followers change organizational culture.
The session with Ms. Sumera Rafi, Product Specialist ABL was a food for thought. She started off the discussion with a very basic and a example that we all experience in our day to day lives. The example of a Mother being a leader of the family. She is the one who does all the work, remembers everything, manages house hold, teaches, understands, fears and expects the most for its family. Same is the case with a leader where he wants the best from his people which will ultimately be the best for him and the organization.
Ms. Sumera explained the tricky concept of Transformational & Transactional leader. Transformational leaders are Fathers and Transactional Leaders are Father-in-Law. As it happens in our daily lives Fathers are the one’s who will give all they have to offer to the family and to the kids till the point his children start standing up for there things and their rights. Similarly, the Transformational leaders give strength, vision and guide their followers to the point till they start reciprocating and responding to challenges. Whereas Father-in-Law are the one’s who will ask you result oriented questions and will expect results. What do you earn? how do you earn etc. They want to ensure the returns are there before allowing you to marry to there child. Similarly, the Transactional leaders are all about the returns. The returns on investment, the revenue or the profit. There efforts are more economy centric where as Transformational leaders are more personal growth centric.
She very simple defined leadership by the movie Everest where leader is the one climbing in front and followers follow the foot steps and the hold firmly to the rope attached to them. In the same story she spoke about the fact that leaders have to make rationale choices and have to at times take tough decisions like the hero did by leaving the sick member behind. She also talked about Transformational leaders seeks to lead, drive and inspire his followers to draw more out life from what they already are.
She gave another very basic example of Shepard and sheeps. The Shepard is a modern day teacher. He channelizes all the sheeps to enter and exit from the gate while there are no fences. He trains them and channelizes there skills to enter and exit from the gate. So is the job of a teacher. He channelizes the skills that are there in students and gives them a direction to excellence.
Leadership is all about creating the moment of self actualization and establishing the deep rooted relationships. Self actualization is the moment of accomplishment. The moment where a leader inspires his follower to an accomplishment. An accomplishment which follower cherishes throughout his life. Whereas the relationships of leaders and follower should be deep rooted. By deep rooted Ms. Sumera meant that one should stay connected with leaders and no matter how old it becomes the bond between leaders and followers which is based on inspiration and help should always remain intact.
Miss. Sumera Rafi, product Specialist at ABL talked about the understanding of transformational leadership and how it qualify from transactional leadership, She explained that leadership processes in which we speculate a person as a leader who is our role model or inspiration for us. She elegantly explained that transformational leadership plays the role of leadership just like our fathers, whereas, the transactional leadership is just like how the father in law. The connections that she gives that leader are not mandatory our CEO “A leader. .is like a shepherd. He stays behinds the flock, whereas the others are subsequent to, not realising that all along they are being directed from behind.” There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock, go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way. She also discussed Self-actualization, is the growth of an individual toward fulfilment of the highest needs; those for meaning in life, in particular, Every person is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchy toward a level of self-actualization. Unfortunately, progress is often disrupted by a failure to meet lower level needs. Life experiences, including divorce and loss of a job, may cause an individual to fluctuate between levels of the hierarchy. Therefore, not everyone will move through the hierarchy in a uni-directional manner but may move back and forth between the different types of needs. The motivation to realize one’s own maximum potential and possibilities She gave an example how her team led, there was a concept of some people in ABL that brochures should be kept in the store not to distribute to customer otherwise stock of brochures will come to an end if brochures were distributed to customers, the customers visit to bank they take way the brochures along with them. So, Ms Sumera and her team took the innate and given away the updated brochures to all 99 plus branches across the Pakistan though it was a huge task but they the team member took it as a challenge and advise concerned persons that brochures are for the use of customers. If the customers who are not aware of our product and services how they will purchase our product and invest.Transformational leaders are energetic, passionate, whole-hearted and wanton. Ms Sumera cited the case of mountain climbers and how they are the ideal case for transformational administration. If you want to be able to lead successfully you should have a transformational leadership style that can let you adapt to anything.
Ms. Sumeira Rafi, product specialist at Allied bank Limited gave her views on transformational leadership by starting off saying that such leaders have idealized influence and those people who idealize have intellectual stimulation. She also gave her views on transactional leadership saying that both transactional and transformational leaders are directed towards the same goal which is performance beyond expectations. According to Ms. Sumeira Rafi we all have a transformational leader in our lives and that’s our Mother, because she displays those exact same qualities required by a transformational leader when she takes care of her children and raises them up. She also highlighted the importance of a transformational leader in every business today, but says that leaders might not necessarily be your CEO. Ms. Sumeira during her talk gave an example of mount climbing where everyone is bound and connected by a rope so that one falls, the others would be there to save him. Hence the role of teamwork is very important and leaders can be in a team too. Therefore it is imperative for a leader to transform the people, because that transformation will lead them to change the organization.
Ms. Sumeira also highlighted that the transformational leader seeks to lead and drive change for better within their team through leading by example, inspiring others within the organization to achieve great things, creates motivation through self-actualization and deep rooted relationships on individual basis. Self-actualization is when you’re happy from within. Leader mobilizes everyone and motivates them towards one common goal.
She further explained that leaders should own you, because that how they inspire you to achieve great things. She concluded by saying that transformational leaders don’t start by denying the world around them, Instead they describe a future they like to create instead.
Strong people don’t put others down, they lift them up.
This is the statement that comes first to my mind when I recall about the session we had with Sumera Rafi. A banker by profession currently working in Allied Bank Limited. She was an easy going person with an inspirational story of her Success, How she switched her work place from Faisal bank to Allied bank and the change of culture and environment she went through and how she transformed it with her head high. She even introduced visa and debit card there.
She started her talks by saying the idea of leadership begins from your home, A person’s mother is the first leader he meets in his life. According to her a transformational leader is one who leads the team and just not leads the team they take everyone along. He posses qualities that inspire others and he instigate the passions in his team to reach the top. A good transformational leader is who creates a deep rooted relation with his subjects and the people follow him with all their trust to this she even gave the example of former American president J.F Kennedy when the democrats leader asked a janitor working in NASA that what he is doing and in response the janitor told him that he taking people to the moon. She even stated that a leader shows his team the gate and the trick how to surpass it. And in difficult times they buck their team up and push his people from behind instead of hitting them on their failure. But there are time when he has to take difficult decision at time and there his real leadership gets expose that how good he is. As there are time when he has to decide whom to leave behind whom to carry forward. She further to add weight age to her point gave an example of movie “Everest” how the track leader lead his team.
She in later part of her speech told people about her personal experience and incidents where she witnessed transformational leadership herself. She gave the example of her bank that people in Allied bank where old fashioned and used to stick to the task they were given She with her team ignited the fire of competition among these people and in no time bank reserves increased drastically in no time, she explained how a good transformational leadership can turn around their people. There team before were of this type that didn’t even used to give flyers to the customer instead they used to hide it in the vault to a time when they used to push people to buy their product.
She in the end told that you always remember good leader with good words she even told her story how Rafiq Rangonwala called her by her name and allowed to sit in. She believes that remembering names is also one of the traits of the leader.
She finished her session by saying that “ A leader transforms the people and then the people transforms the organizations”.
Buzz is kinda ok? I think wave will be better, one thing im dueudobnfmd on however is how Google hasn't created an app for CRM. It would be priceless with the integration of google docs, gmail and wave. Mr. Coder dude, email me if its in the works ill be happy to beta test!