What is Idealized Influence?

There are four components to transformational leadership:

1. Idealized Influence
2. Inspirational Motivation
3. Intellectual Stimulation
4. Individualized Consideration

This post will focus on Idealized Influence: In their book Transformational Leadership, Bernard M. Bass and Ronald E. Riggio state, “Transformational leaders behave in ways that allow them to serve as role models for their followers” (p. 6). Essentially, transformational leaders don’t just talk the talk, they also walk the walk. 

In my book, A Leader Worth Imitating, I discuss integrity (Principle 4). I explain that integrity is when you practice what you preach. It’s when your words and actions are the same. 

As a transformational leader, one of the best way to be a role model is to have integrity. 

Think about it: Think about the things you ask you regularly ask people to do. Is there anything that you are “preaching” but not practicing

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If your interested in learning more about the four components of transformational leadership, check out the accompanying posts:

• What is Transformational Leadership?
• What is Inspirational Motivation?
• What is Intellectual Stimulation?
• What is Individualized Consideration?

_{Originally posted on July 6, 2023. Last updated on October 28, 2025.}