ABSTRACT
Transformative leadership is a social justice–oriented approach undergirded by notions of democracy (e.g., opportunity, equity, fairness, freedom). In particular, transformative leaders are concerned with inequities facing diverse student communities, recognizing that these inequities are part of a larger societal context that reinforces hierarchical structures of dominance and power. Key to the practice of transformative leadership is the process of engaging communities, building inclusive structures, and encouraging collaboration from all stakeholders, particularly those who have experienced marginalization. Further, transformative leaders are aware of oppressive sociocultural norms and microaggressions (subtle discriminatory practices), which serve to reinforce the marginalization of nondominant groups. Nevarez & Wood – transformative leadership inventory is designed to assess the degree to which a leader adheres to a transformative frame. For aspiring leaders, conceptualize how the actions in formal (e.g., work) and informal (e.g., home, extracurricular activities) settings may determine the degree of transformative leadership influence.
