From Roof Trusses to Transformative Leadership
Before my career in Rehabilitation Counseling, I spent years building roof trusses—those
triangular wooden structures that give homes their shape and strength. While they may
seem simple, trusses are engineering marvels, and surprisingly, they offer powerful lessons in leadership.
A roof truss spans the space between two exterior walls, distributing weight through a balance of tension (pulling forces) and compression (pushing forces). This dynamic interplay keeps the roof stable and the space below safe.
Now, imagine your organization as that structure. The “clear span” is the space where your team operates—the environment you shape as a leader. The walls are your foundation: one side grounded in purposeful leadership (vision, values, and direction), the other in conscious leadership (self-awareness and adaptability).
Spanning that space is the truss of transformative leadership, built from:
- Cultural strength through psychological safety,
- Creative freedom that fuels innovation,
- Inspirational energy that drives engagement, and
- Collaborative trust that fosters synergy.
Just like a truss holds a roof together, these leadership elements support a thriving, resilient organization. When built with intention, they create a space where leaders, teams, and those they serve can truly flourish.
Tension, Compression, and Leadership—What’s the Connection?
You might wonder what construction terms like tension and compression have to do with transformative leadership. Surprisingly, quite a lot. Just as these forces hold a roof truss together, they also mirror the dynamics that hold strong organizations together. Let’s break it down.
Tension and Compression in Transformative Leadership
In construction, tension and compression are forces that hold a roof truss together. In leadership, they represent the pressures and pulls within an organization that, when managed well, can strengthen teams and drive transformation. Transformative Leadership is about inspiring growth—both personal and organizational. As leaders move through the Transformative Leadership Cycle—from shared purpose to creativity, inspiration, and collaboration—they must also navigate the natural tensions and pressures that arise.
Tension: A Catalyst for Growth
Tension in organizations often stems from differing perspectives or competing priorities. Rather than avoiding it, transformative leaders embrace tension as a source of energy and innovation. They:
- Foster psychological safety so all voices are heard.
- Encourage constructive dialogue to find common ground.
- Reframe challenges as opportunities for learning.
- Use tools like polarity management to balance opposing but valuable forces (e.g., stability vs. change).
Compression: Pressure That Needs Balance
Compression shows up as stress—tight deadlines, micromanagement, or lack of autonomy. While some pressure can be motivating (eustress ), too much stifles creativity and engagement. Transformative leaders mitigate harmful compression by:
- Reinforcing each team member’s value and purpose.
- Prioritizing well-being and offering support.
- Empowering staff with autonomy and trust.
- Focusing on people over process, recognizing that success comes from those doing the work—not just the systems around them.
Finding the Balance
Great leadership doesn’t eliminate tension or compression—it balances them. Like a well built truss, organizations thrive when these forces are aligned and managed with intention. By doing so, leaders create a strong, supportive structure where teams can grow, innovate, and succeed together.
Reference
Joubert, S. (2024) Transformational Leadership: How to Inspire Innovation in the Workplace.
Northeastern University Graduate Programs. https://graduate.northeastern.edu/knowledgehub/transformational-leadership/
Submitted By:
Russ Thelin, M.S., CRC, CRL
EVENTS
All CRL Roundtable
October 14th, 12:00 – 1:30pm Eastern time
Hey CRLs! You’re invited to our next Roundtable. Please check out the following resources to prepare for our discussion.
- Watch the YouTube video: “What is Emotional Intelligence?“
- Read the article by the Harvard Business Review titled “Emotional Intelligence and Transformational Leadership“
VR-Inclusive Postsecondary Education Partnerships Workshop
Don’t miss the VR-Inclusive Postsecondary Education Partnerships Workshop on Monday,
October 20th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in Syracuse, NY! Hosted by the Think College
Inclusive Higher Education Network, this interactive pre-conference workshop provides
an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between IPSE programs and state VR agencies.
You will hear real-world examples, explore key resources, and leave with actionable
strategies for building stronger, more effective partnerships that lead to better student
strategies for building stronger, more effective partnerships that lead to better student
outcomes. Register today to secure your spot: https://taishoffcenter.syr.edu/sota/conference/
RESOURCES
CEUs for CRLs
The wait is over! Your first opportunity to obtain continuing education units to maintain your certification with the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) is ready. We think you’ll enjoy the podcast-style review of our original lesson: Organizational Purpose.
Book Corner
Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney
By: Lee Cockerell
The secret for creating “magic” in our careers, our organizations, and our lives is simple: outstanding leadership—the kind that inspires employees, delights customers, and achieves extraordinary business results.
Combining surprising business wisdom with insightful and entertaining stories from Lee’s four decades on the front lines of some of the world’s best-run companies, Creating Magic shows all of us – from small business owners to managers at every level – how to become better leaders by infusing quality, character, courage, enthusiasm, and integrity into our workplace and into our lives.
