Transformational leadership: the feminist connection in postmodern organizations

The article describes the changes occurring in the world and organizations and argues that the contemporary theory of transformational leadership can provide guidance for nursing leaders, who are predominantly women. Transformational leadership is defined and described. The feminist literature is briefly reviewed. A comparison of the attributes of women, who are constructed knowers, and those of transformational leaders is made, including the web of inclusion, caring, moral responsibility, reciprocity and cooperation, integration of voices, intuition, and hierarchic and patriarchal paradigms. It is argued that a new way of leading and new organizational structures are emerging that will provide a favorable environment for female leaders.