The Art of Forgiveness: Differentiating Transformational Leaders

Abstract

Individuals, teams, organizations, institutions, and societies can only move forward when people aren’t preoccupied by past hurts. Therefore, one of the factors that differentiate truly transformational from more run-of the mill leaders is the ability to turn feelings of resentment, bitterness, and blame into something constructive and reparative. When leaders forgive, they dissipate built-up anger, bitterness, and animosity, releasing an enormous amount of pent-up energy that can be used in much more constructive ways. Forgiveness offers people the chance to take risks, to be creative, to learn and to grow their own leadership capabilities. Through forgiveness, truly transformational leaders instill a sense of pride, respect, and trust, creating heightened levels of commitment, self-sacrifice, motivation, and performance in followers.