Revista Sextante

Transformational Leadership and Its Impact on Organizational Performance in Military and Naval Institutions

Isabela Marques Thornton

Atlantic Institute for Defence and Leadership Studies, Lisbon, Portugal

Keywords: transformational leadership, organizational performance, military institutions, naval command, unit cohesion

Abstract

Military and naval institutions rely on leaders who can maintain discipline while building initiative, commitment and adaptability in complex and hazardous environments. This article examines the impact of transformational leadership on organizational performance in such institutions. Drawing on the full range leadership model, motivational theory and field evidence from military settings, it analyses how idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration relate to cohesion, morale, commitment, operational readiness and mission performance. The analysis indicates that transformational leadership contributes to performance mainly by developing followers, building trust and aligning personnel with the mission, and that it augments rather than replaces transactional leadership. Limitations are also discussed, including measurement bias, the risk of dependency on charismatic commanders, ethical concerns and the need for context-sensitive leadership. An illustrative figure summarises the expected pattern of unit outcomes under high and low transformational leadership.