Toward a Better Understanding of Transformational Leadership: Differentiating between Altruism and Self-Sacrifice

This paper distinguishes between self-sacrifice and altruism, and reports a cross-sectional survey of working managers (n = 127). The study tested how the two variables differentially affect transformational leadership. Results yielded evidence that altruism is a better predictor of transformational leadership than self-sacrifice is. The hypothesis that self-sacrifice would enhance the effect of altruism on transformational leadership did not obtain support. Findings also showed that transformational leadership in turn leads to followers’ enhanced perception of collective identity and performance. Implications of the results are discussed and future directions for research are proposed.