A transformational leader is defined as “a leader who influences, inspired, mobilizes, and transforms followers to achieve organizational goals beyond their self-interests” (Weiss 2011). Effective transformational leadership consists of four factors known as the “four I’s”. They are: idealized influence, individualized consideration, inspirational motivation and intellectual stimulation. The first female Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson Miller, is using these traits to transform Jamaica from rule under the British monarchy to a republic and is using charisma, the “four I’s”, and ethical leadership to bring about the change that Jamaican citizens are asking for.
Charisma played an important role in PM Simpson Miller’s bid for reelection. Successfully campaigning for a second term in office despite being removed from that very office after little more than a year, truly takes charisma and political fortitude indeed. After a recount in the 2007 elections, Simpson Miller conceded defeat but three years later, she successfully campaigned for and won the seat of PM again despite “a relentless negative advertising campaign that ‘demonised’ her, mocked her intellectual capacity, managerial competence and unsuitability” (Robinson 2012) for the position of Prime Minister. Another hurdle the new PM had to overcome was discontent over US$400 million that was mishandled during her short term in office. In the true style of charismatic leaders, Simpson Miller created and articulated compelling visions, showed her sensitivity to the environment and member needs and, most importantly for her campaign, used unconventional behavior and personal risk taking to win over a nation with an ailing economy and growing distrust of government leadership. Her platform impressed upon citizens that she was ‘for the people’ and would represent them by stimulating the economy, grating rights to the LGBT community and by breaking ties with the British monarchy. Her utilization of those four skills along with her charisma, led her to a landslide victory and ushered in a new era of transformational leadership for Jamaica. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was listed as one of Time Magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’ because of her efforts to break ties with the British monarchy and because she promotes and advocates for full civil rights for gays and lesbians in a country with a turbulent history of violence against homosexuals. The Time article states, “She will have a profound impact as she strives to be a transformational figure in Jamaica.” Arguably, she is already a transformational figure in her nation. In her inaugural speech earlier this year she said, “We need to complete the circle of independence. In this regard we will initiate the process of our detachment from the monarchy to become a republic with our own indigenous head of state” (Robinson 2012). Although this isn’t the first time a Prime Minister has raised the issue, this is the first time that the two main parties in Jamaica have agreed on the matter since Jamaica fell under British rule in the middle of the 17th century.
The second term Prime Minister of Jamaica is reportedly a strong-willed woman who has advocated for the rights of the people and been a catalyst for change since before her first term in office in 2006. She is viewed as someone who, despite smear campaigns, is a proponent of change and will be essential in bringing about the changes necessary to gain independence from the British monarchy as well as erase generations of hate for homosexual people. In a December debate she stated, “Our administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans. No one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Government should provide the protection [...]” (Davis 2012). For her thoughts on and support of the LGBT rights, she received a lot of speculation about her own sexual orientation. Despite the rumors, she said, “I certainly do not pry or do I have any intention of prying in the private business of anyone. I would appoint anyone with the ability, the capacity, and the capability to manage, in my cabinet" (Davis 2012).Although this issue has been a debate in the United States for many years and LGBT rights have changed drastically in this nation, this is the first time in Jamaica that the LGBT community has the backing that it needs to implement the necessary steps for civil rights. Also a hotly debated topic for which the PM has received as much praise as she has criticism, she is suggesting breaking from the monarchy and moving to a nation ruled by a republic. The “four I’s” and transformational leadership are essential in rallying the citizens to see the benefit in breaking with a monarchy that has been a part of Jamaica for over three and a half centuries. Idealized influence, individualized consideration, inspirational motivation and intellectual stimulation are crucial steps in continued success for PM Simpson Miller’s controversial plans. Idealized influence, or charisma has been demonstrated in her successful campaign for reelection. She displayed individualized consideration by targeting the citizen’s discontent with the leadership at that time, the discrimination of the LGBT community and the sufferers of the ailing economy. Inspirational motivation was key for rallying support for an administration that mishandled US$400 million despite an ailing economy. Lastly, she had to advocate for huge changes which she did through intellectual stimulation. Ethical leadership is also important in PM Simpson Miller’s campaign for change. Servant leadership is what Jamaica citizens are expecting in a leader after years of rule under a monarchy. This type of leadership involves “selflessly working with followers to achieve shared goals that improve collective, rather than individual welfare” (Weiss 2011). After supporting a monarchy that seemed not to support the Jamaican economy or citizens in return, stewardship would be helpful but the changes that need to be implemented are enormous and require more than empowering followers to make decisions. A nation that thrives on democracy, like the United States, would benefit from a combination of both leadership styles but for a country who is accustomed to an entirely different system of government, a strong ethical leader will make or break the campaign for change. Although PM Simpson Miller faces long uphill battles in regards to civil rights for the LGBT community, an ailing economy, and a break from tradition, she seems to have the political clout and the support for the citizens that she needs to bring about those changes. Political analysts express optimism in PM Simpson Miller’s second term in office and believe that she learned a significant amount during her short tenure in office several years ago and believe that this knowledge will assist her achieve her goals, especially after a successful initial 100 days in office. As is always the case with politics, only time will tell if Jamaican citizens will continue to rally behind their new leader or if missteps in office will lead to further discontent in an already ailing country.

References
Clarke, Yvette D. 2012. Portia Simpson Miller. Time Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_211199 6,00.html. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
Davis, Nick. 2012. Jamaica debates republic option. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin- america-17251369. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
Henke, H. W. (2006, April 6). Portia Simpson-Miller, Jamaica's first female prime minister. New York Amsterdam News. pp. 13-34.
Robinsosn, Calude. 2012. Portia earns respect. Jamaica Observer. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Portia-earns-respect_10473364. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
Weiss, Joseph. (2011). An introduction to leadership. Ashford University. Bridge Point Education, Inc.