• Describes an approach to leadership that transforms individuals from subordinate followers to self-directed leaders
• Builds on decades of past research (as well as the authors' own research) to integrate and synthesize a new, comprehensive leadership approach
• Shows how to cultivate the personal characteristics of a transformative leader and how to construct a transformative organizational culture
• Explodes the myths of charisma and shows how and why true leadership is antithetical to charismatic demagoguery

Leadership That Matters examines transformational leadership-leadership that not only improves productivity and performance but also makes a positive difference in the lives of organization members. Traditional, "transactional" approaches to leadership involve a kind of contractual arrangement: the leader issues orders and subordinates are expected to carry them out to the best of their abilities. This is fine as far as it goes. Transformational leadership goes a step further. Transformational leaders achieve superior results because of their ability to transform people from dutiful followers into self-directed leaders who go beyond simply doing what is expected of them. Drawing on research that investigates leadership, culture, and performance in dozens of organizations, the Sashkins describe the specific behaviors and personal characteristics of transformational leaders, who make leadership matter. They show how these leaders construct empowering organizational cultures that nurture self-reliance and long-term thinking. The authors offer practical advice on how to become a transformational leader. They also elaborate the crucial differences between charismatic leadership-which involves dependence on the leader-and true transformational leadership.