An example of Transformational Leadership that continues to make headlines is known to millions of travelers. Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp are renowned as the founders of Uber. Their respective journeys as technology mavericks have been both lauded and criticized, depending on one’s vantage point. Uber has revolutionized the manner in which we “tap the app” in order to get from Point A to Point B. According to “folklore”, both were attending a technology conference in Paris in 2008 and on a particular snowy night, conceptualized Uber when they couldn’t catch a taxi. The company’s primary competitors in the taxi and chauffeured transportation sectors have been in “reactive” mode ever since Uber burst on the scene a decade ago.
What makes Uber’s founders such a fascinating study? Kalanick and Camp not only identified a consumer need…They successfully anticipated the future by responding to this need in an unprecedented manner. In a nutshell: Uber has transformed an entire market segment: Ground transportation. Kalanick and Camp are transformational leaders who predicted the future by parlaying their vision into a global phenomenon.
Today’s consumers are attracted to companies that offer immediacy, ease of use and tangible cost benefits when it comes to solving their problems. Transformational leaders are always ahead of the curve. They possess a unique understanding of real-world challenges and an extraordinary capacity to create new realities. Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp exemplify transformational leadership. They’ve changed the way that we go about getting transportation all over the world by making it easier and instantly accessible. What did we do in a world without Uber?
Anticipating the future as a transformational leader is not only about seeing the future and not only responding to change. Leaders who are transformational also possess the ability to predict the future before it even happens. It requires a relentless focus on creating and managing outstanding customer experiences. Uber has successfully gone above and beyond traditional marketing avenues to have brand ambassadors sharing these experiences in their communities, both on and off-line, locally and globally.
If you wish to see yourself as an example of transformational leadership, hone your ability to anticipate, act and trust in your vision. These are some of the most important characteristics of leaders who are cognizant of the need to think forward in times of constant change.
This article is a partial transcript of a video on YouTube.
Michelle Ray (Twitter) is one of the best international leadership keynote speakers in Vancouver. She helps you discover your potential through presentations, coaching and consulting. With over 20 years of experience Michelle has worked with hundreds of companies around the world. She is taking bookings for speaking engagements and can be contacted at MichelleRay.com
