Transformational leadership is well accepted as a leadership style conducive to change in educational settings. However, the pace and scope of educational reforms have accelerated in recent years, and questions about the effectiveness of transformational leadership in other organizations has been questioned as of late. Given this evolution and increase in dynamic environments associated with educational reform, it is important to reassess whether transformational leadership remains the most effective approach to change in educational settings, and if not, whether alternative approaches might be considered. From this perspective, this integrative literature review explores recent evidence to examine the effects of transformational leadership in educational reform settings. The findings demonstrate that while efficacy still exists, and in some areas is highly effective in promoting reform change, other areas are less affected and may benefit from more integrated styles of leadership. Implications for educational practices and future research are provided.
