Which is a common disadvantage of transactional leadership?

• A. It does not encourage creativity
• B. It builds strong emotional bonds
• C. It fosters flexible decision making
• D. It emphasizes employee empowerment

Answer: (A)

Transactional leadership centers on clear tasks, supervision, and a rewards-punishments system tied to performance. A common disadvantage is that it does not encourage creativity. When focus is on following procedures, meeting exact standards, and sticking to predefined methods, employees are less likely to experiment, take risks, or propose innovative solutions. This approach tends to optimize efficiency and short-term compliance, which can limit adaptability in changing environments and hinder long-term development.

The other points don’t fit as well. Building strong emotional bonds aligns more with transformational leadership, which seeks inspiration and personal connection. Flexible decision making and employee empowerment are also more characteristic of approaches that grant autonomy and adaptiveness, rather than the structured, directive nature of transactional leadership.