Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) Practice Exam

Which type of leader is most likely to inspire innovation among team members?

1. An authoritative leader

2. A transactional leader

3. A transformational leader

4. A delegative leader

The correct answer is: A transformational leader

A transformational leader is highly effective in inspiring innovation among team members due to their focus on motivating and engaging employees beyond mere transactional relationships. Transformational leaders encourage creativity by fostering an environment that values new ideas and perspectives. They promote a shared vision and inspire team members to buy into that vision, which often includes challenging the status quo. These leaders are adept at recognizing individual talents and encouraging their employees to exceed their own limitations. They also provide support and resources for team members to experiment with innovative solutions. Furthermore, transformational leaders cultivate a culture of trust and open communication, which allows team members to feel safe in sharing their ideas, potentially leading to groundbreaking innovations. In contrast, other types of leaders may not prioritize innovation in the same way. Authoritative leaders tend to focus on directing teams rather than inspiring them, transactional leaders mainly emphasize rewards and penalties for performance rather than creativity, and delegative leaders may not provide the guidance necessary to encourage innovative thinking. Thus, the transformational leader stands out as the one who actively inspires innovation.