Civil Service Supervisor Practice Exam 2025 – All-In-One Guide to Exam Success!

Transactional leadership primarily motivates subordinates through a reward and punishment system. This leadership style is based on a clear structure where expectations are established, and performance is monitored closely. Leaders using this approach focus on achieving specific goals and performance targets; they provide clear directives and use incentives to encourage compliance and productivity.

Subordinates are motivated by the understanding that their performance will lead to specific rewards, such as bonuses, promotions, or recognition. Conversely, failing to meet expectations may result in penalties or corrective actions. This direct and structured approach creates a predictable work environment, which can be effective for achieving short-term objectives and maintaining workflow efficiency.

While promoting team collaboration, providing emotional support, and allowing for flexible decision-making can be effective leadership strategies within other frameworks or organizational cultures, they are not primary characteristics of transactional leadership. Instead, the core of this style emphasizes contractual agreements between leaders and their followers, allowing for clear expectations and immediate feedback based on performance outcomes.