Recognising the value of volunteers in performing and supporting leadership in rural communities

This paper explores the role of local volunteers in demonstrating transformational and transactional leadership in rural communities. Applying the lens of the Full Range Leadership Model and drawing on data from a case study of volunteers based in rural Western Australia, the nature of volunteer leadership was characterised. This characterisation revealed a mix of transformational and transactional leadership traits were applied across different volunteering activities in rural communities. The role of transformational leaders in introducing new initiatives was highlighted as was the importance of trustworthiness. A perennial concern for rural volunteering organisations is volunteer shortages, particularly in leadership roles. The study revealed that an individual's own perceptions about their transactional leadership capacities can present a barrier to their taking on a volunteering role. The study concludes by recommending that rural volunteer recruitment and retention strategies should focus on supporting volunteers to develop necessary transactional skills. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd