What transactional leadership gets right and wrong about motivating people

Think about Andy Sachs walking into Miranda Priestly’s office in The Devil Wears Prada. Every detail is dictated, every mistake punished, and every success rewarded only if it meets Miranda’s exacting standards.

That’s transactional leadership in action.

Sure, it might sound rigid, but it’s one of the most common styles you’ll find in workplaces around the world. And understanding how it works (and when it could work) could change the way you lead.

What is transactional leadership?

T...