Transformational vs Regenerative Leadership Coaching

Organisational leadership is changing.

Gone are the days of control and compliance. Today’s leaders are being called to rise - to lead with purpose, vision, and care (1, 2). 

But as more conscious leadership models emerge, so do the questions:

• What’s the difference between transformational leadership coaching and regenerative leadership coaching?
• Do they do the same thing? 
• Or is one more future-fit than the other?

At Kinwork, we believe both are powerful - but they’re not actually the same thing.

What Is Transformational Leadership Coaching?

Transformational leadership coaching helps individuals, especially founders, managers, and executives, evolve into more self-aware, inspiring, and values-driven leaders. Based on transformational leadership theory, developed by James MacGregor Burns (3) and later expanded by Bernard Bass (4), this style of coaching approach typically helps clients to:

• Discover and lead from purpose
• Inspire and motivate others around a shared vision
• Grow emotional intelligence and resilience
• Unlock innovation and creativity
• Model integrity and trust

Transformational coaching is ideal for leaders who want to shift culture, energise teams, and drive meaningful change within their organisation (5, 6).

What Is Regenerative Leadership Coaching?

Regenerative leadership coaching goes deeper.

Rooted in living systems thinking, deep ecology, and indigenous wisdom, regenerative coaching doesn’t just aim to improve performance - it helps leaders reimagine their role in restoring and co-evolving with people, place, and planet (1, 2, 7).

This approach invites clients to:

• Lead with life, not over it
• Think in cycles, systems, and relationships
• Make decisions that regenerate ecosystems, communities, and futures
• Build cultures of care, justice, and interdependence
• Align their organisation with long-term planetary wellbeing

Regenerative coaching is for leaders who want to go beyond sustainability - to create conditions where all life can thrive.

Transformational vs Regenerative: Key Differences

Do Transformational and Regenerative Coaching Overlap?

Yes, and beautifully so.

Both coaching styles:

• Develop conscious, reflective leaders
• Support change in complex, dynamic environments
• Prioritise purpose, vision, and care
• Challenge outdated, extractive leadership models (1 2, 5)

In fact, many Kinwork clients move from transformational leadership coaching into regenerative leadership work. One opens the door. The other changes the entire whole building.

Why This Matters for the Future of Work

Organisations are being asked to do more than perform.
They’re being asked to regenerate - to take responsibility for their impact on people and planet, and to redesign work around wholeness, justice, and wellbeing (1, 2).

Leaders can’t do this with old models.

They need coaching that meets the moment, and equips them for the one after that.

Final Thought

If you’re a founder, HR leader, or health practitioner ready to lead differently, you're not alone. You're exactly where this movement begins.

Let’s build what comes next. And let’s make sure it lasts.

References

1. Aoustin, E. (2023). Regenerative leadership: what it takes to transform business into a force for good. Field actions science reports, Special Issue 25, 92-97.

2. Balda, J. B., Stanberry, J., & Altman, B. (2023). Leadership and the regenerative economy ‐ Concepts, cases, and connections: Leveraging the Sustainable Development Goals to move toward sustainability leadership. New directions for student leadership, 2023(179), 121-141. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.20574

3. Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.

4. Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. Free Press.

5. Kao, S.-F., Tsai, C.-Y., & Schinke, R. (2021). Investigation of the interaction between coach transformational leadership and coaching competency change over time. International journal of sports science & coaching, 16(1), 44-53. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954120953946

6. Lee, M. C. C., & Ding, A. Y. L. (2020). Comparing empowering, transformational, and transactional leadership on supervisory coaching and job performance: A multilevel perspective. PsyCh journal (Victoria, Australia), 9(5), 668-681. https://doi.org/10.1002/pchj.345

7. Raworth, K. (2017). Why it's time for Doughnut Economics. IPPR progressive review, 24(3), 216-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/newe.12058