Abstract
Like a skilled boxer in the ring, transformational leadership delivers decisive, impactful actions that inspire, empower, and mobilise individuals toward systemic change. The "knockout effect" metaphor highlights the leader's ability to confront deep-rooted issues, break barriers, and foster lasting transformation. This leadership style, characterised by a compelling vision, trust-building, and motivation, is pivotal in advocacy. Transformational leaders navigate complex social, political, and cultural landscapes with resilience, courage, and adaptability, balancing strength with strategy to address societal challenges. By promoting empathy, collaboration, and innovation, transformational leaders empower the teams to tackle obstacles head-on, turning resistance into opportunities for reform. Their unwavering commitment to equity and justice delivers a "knockout effect," driving progress and shaping positive change. This concept underscores the intersection of transformational leadership and advocacy, showcasing how leaders can unleash the potential to effect meaningful and lasting societal transformation. The article explores the knockout effect in leadership, the foundations of transformational leadership, and its application in advocacy. It delves into developing leadership skills, sustaining leadership efforts amid adversity, and leveraging vision, authenticity, and adaptability to challenge existing systems. By combining strategic planning with values-driven action, transformational leaders inspire others to join in creating lasting societal impacts. This exploration emphasises the transformative potential of leadership in advocacy, highlighting its crucial role in addressing contemporary challenges and advocating for sustainable change.
References
Avolio, B. J., & Bass, B. M. (2004). Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Manual and Sampler Set (3rd ed.). Redwood City, CA: Mindgarden. http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s1532754xjprr1602_2 Bakker, A. B., Hetland, J., Olsen, O. K., & Espevik, R. (2023). Daily transformational leadership: A source of inspiration for follower performance? European Management Journal, 41(5), 700-708. Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational leadership. Psychology Press. Bass, B. M., & Bass, R. (2009). The Bass handbook of leadership: Theory, Research, and Managerial applications. Simon and Schuster. Bornman, J., & Louw, B. (2023). Leadership development Strategies in interprofessional Healthcare collaboration: A rapid review. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 175-192. Broome, M. E. (2025). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader. Springer Publishing Company. Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row. Chanana, N. (2024). Inspirational Women Leaders: Diverse Success Stories and Inspirations. In Empowering and Advancing Women Leaders and Entrepreneurs (pp. 37-59). IGI Global. Chandrahaas, C. S., & Narasimhan, N. (2023). A comprehensive model of leader moral courage- A study of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. using grounded theory approach. International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 29(4), 524- Chemonges, A. K. (2023). Leadership Legacies: An Analysis of Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela. African Journal of Emerging Issues, 5(10), 54–76. Daniel, S., & Jonathan, H. (2024). Transformational Leadership and Its Impact on National Development. Easy Chair Preprint. Deep, G. (2023). The power of resilience and flexibility in business leadership: Adapting to change. Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews, 9(2), 086–091. Duarte, N. (2010). Resonate: Present visual stories that transform audiences. John Wiley & ` Sons. Esposito, P., Ricci, P., & Sancino, A. (2021). Leading for social change: Waste management in the place of social (ir) responsibility. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 28(2), 667-674. Everly, G. S., & Athey, A. B. (2022). Leading Beyond Crisis: The Five Pillars of Transformative Resilient Leadership. American Psychological Association. Foster, A., Wissman, N., Bray, L. A., DeBoer, J., Ergene, S., Stewart, O. J., & Dunham, I. M. (2024). Rising to the challenge: Embedding environmental justice in management and organization studies. Organization & Environment, 37(2), 159-193. Ghasabeh, M. S. (2021). Transformational Leadership: Implementing a Cultural Approach in Organizations. Journal of Values-Based Leadership, 14(1). Goleman, D. (2021). Leadership: The power of emotional intelligence. More Than Sound LLC Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R. E., McKee, A., & Johnston, F. (2015). Mindful leadership: Emotional Intelligence collection (4 Books). Harvard Business Review Press Hayes, G. W. (2024). DocuStory & Impact Campaigns: Examining the Dynamics of Cocreating Change Through Digital Storytelling (Doctoral dissertation, Royal Roads University (Canada)). Heath, R. L. (2011). External organizational rhetoric: Bridging management and sociopolitical discourse. Management Communication Quarterly, 25(3), 415-435. Henry, E., & Jonathan, H. (2024). The Role of Vision and Purpose in Effective Leadership (No. 13670). EasyChair. Klug, K., Felfe, J., & Krick, A. (2022). Does self-care make you a better leader? A multisource Study linking leader self-care to health-oriented leadership, employee self-care, and health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), Ledesma, J. (2014). Conceptual frameworks and research models on resilience in leadership. Sage open, 4(3), 2158244014545464. Maier, S. L. (2023). Rape victim advocates' perceptions of the# MeToo movement: Opportunities, challenges, and sustainability. Journal of interpersonal violence, 38(1-2), 336-365. Martin, C. (2024). The impact of the pandemic on leaders: A pathway to healing and self- care. Nursing Management, 55(1), 12–19. Mayberry, M. (2024). The Transformational Leader: How the World's Best Leaders Build Teams, Inspire Action, and Achieve Lasting Success. John Wiley & Sons. McLean, K. C. (2024). Why change is hard: The power of master narratives over self and society. Oxford University Press. Mudd-Fegett, K., & Mudd, H. K. (2024). Transformational Leadership. In Transformational Learning in Social Work and Human Services Education (pp. 63-83). IGI Global. Northouse, P. G. (2025). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications. Zhanda, K., Dzvimbo, M. A., & Chitongo, L. (2021). Children's climate change activism and Protests in Africa: Reflections and lessons from Greta Thunberg. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 41(4), 87-98. Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications. Orphan, C. M., Laderman, S., & Gildersleeve, R. E. (2021). Advocates or honest information Brokers? Examining the higher education public policy agenda-setting processes of intermediary organizations. The Review of Higher Education, 44(3), 325-355. Ogirri, O. K. (2024). The role of project management professionals in building a virile economy. In Proceedings of 9th Annual International Academic Conference (pp. 110-126). Rahman, Z. (2022). A Missed Opportunity: The Rhetoric of Social Cohesion in Parliamentary Debates-1994–2014. Tan, A. B., van Dun, D. H., & Wilderom, C. P. (2024). Lean innovation training and Transformational leadership for employee creative role identity and innovative work behaviour in a public service organisation. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 15(8), 1-31. Yousafzai, A. K., Rasheed, M. A., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2013). Annual research review: Improved Nutrition–a pathway to resilience. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54(4), 367-377.
