What is Intellectual Stimulation?

There are four components to transformational leadership:

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

This post will focus on Intellectual Stimulation. In their book, Transformational Leadership, Bernard M. Bass and Ronald E. Riggio state, “Transformational leaders stimulate their followers’ efforts to be innovative and creative by questioning assumptions, reframing problems, and approaching old situations in new ways” (p. 7). Essentially, transformational leaders encourage their team to be creative and innovative.

In my book, A Leader Worth Imitating, I discuss both creativity and inspiration (Principles 15 & 16). I explain that creativity is making original work and innovation is adapting existing work. You could think about creativity and innovation as you would think about a house. Creativity is building a house. Innovation is renovating that house.

As a transformational leader, sometimes you and your team will need to make something original. Other times you and your team will need to adapt something that exists. 

Think About It: How can you encourage creativity and innovation where you lead?

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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 Idealized Influence?
• What is Inspirational Motivation?
• What is Individualized Consideration?

_{Originally posted on July 18, 2023. Last updated on October 28, 2025.}