Which leadership style involves giving subordinates expectations and rewarding them when those orders are followed?

• A. Transactional Leadership
• B. Situational Leadership
• C. Transformational Leadership
• D. Visionary Leadership

Answer: (A)

Transactional leadership centers on clear expectations and the rewards that follow when those expectations are met. A leader lays out specific tasks or performance targets and then provides contingent rewards—such as bonuses, praise, or preferable assignments—when followers meet or exceed them. This creates a straightforward exchange: do the work as directed, receive the reward. It’s different from other styles because it emphasizes compliance and performance through incentives rather than inspiration or adaptability. For example, a supervisor might offer a bonus for hitting a monthly sales target. In contrast, situational leadership emphasizes tailoring the approach to the follower’s readiness, transformational leadership focuses on inspiring and developing people, and visionary leadership centers on guiding toward a long-term future.