Theory and research in outdoor leadership is often based on studies undertaken in the 1980s, however, whilst such findings are valuable, it is interesting that leadership theory in other fields such as sport, education, leisure, health, management studies and the military have taken on a different perspective. One of the most often studied models is the transactional-transformational model (Bass, 1985). This paper reviews the transactional-transformational leadership model in terms of its appropriateness for understanding and exploring outdoor leadership. Insights drawn from the discussion point to the transformational leadership model as appropriate for theorizing outdoor leadership. This conclusion was drawn as a direct response to the focus of certain key elements within outdoor leadership as a whole.