Leadership Theories: Charismatic Leadership

Improved Essays
Out of the many leadership theories out there, Charismatic leadership makes the most sense. Charismatic leadership attaches to individuals need to compare themselves with others, especially of those who display a level of fortitude that far exceeds those of so called average individuals. These leaders seem to come across as individuals, who complete tasks beyond expectations, and look cool while doing it. To further understand as to why charismatic leadership has a level of efficacy unmatched by the other philosophies of leadership requires a better understanding of the definition.

According to Robert House, as a whole, charismatic leadership is “a leadership theory that states that followers make attributions of heroic or extraordinary
…show more content…
“They have a vision, they are willing to take personal risks to achieve that vision, they are sensitive to followers’ needs, and they exhibit behaviours that are out of the ordinary” (Langton, 2016). These four factors all work together as a cohesive force to influence the followers in their control. Followers often need direction, but a bland delivery will have no effect on the level of productivity due to the lack of inspiration. “A vision is a great way to convey the message of a better tomorrow in an eloquent manner” (Langton, 2016). Charismatic leaders also possess a higher tolerance for risk and forgo personal benefit. They live with the understanding that their longevity depends on the ability to grow constantly, and know very well that taking calculated risks is the only way to accomplish it. Aside from the importance of the vision and personal risk, charismatic leaders also do not underestimate the “sensitivity of their followers” (Langton, 2016). A charismatic leader is forever responding to the changes in “their needs and feelings” (Langton, 2016). They are also no strangers to participating in counterintuitive behaviour; “charismatic leaders often go against the norms associated within a group” (Langton, 2016). These core characteristics are what allow for a stronger influence on people, and their effectiveness stems the fact that they appeal on a personal

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Candidness, elevated personal principles, respect, and consideration are some of the key traits of authentic leadership. Authentic leaders tend to show more compassion and parental style caring for their followers than other leadership styles. Charismatic leaders may get more from their followers, but authentic leaders give more back. While much of their leadership comes from the heart, there is still plenty of leadership from the head. They make decisions for the greater good, with all concerned in mind, even if it may be against their own personal beliefs. The hypothesis of the Multi-level Investigation of Authentic Leadership as an Antecedent of Helping Behavior (Giles Hirst) said that authentic leaders tend to have genuine followers due to their concern of serving others3.…

    • 398 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Antonakis, Fenley and Liechti (2012) argued that charisma is an obtainable set of skill through constant practice and training rather than fully agreeing to the idea of it being naturally blessed on certain individuals. It is a communication skill which delivers a straightforward and motivational message to the audience to concurrently draw their attention and excite them. Research has shown that anyone who undergoes training in “Charismatic Leadership Tactics” (CLTs) becomes more influential, dependable and authoritative in the eyes of others. There are a dozen of CLTs identified which have tremendous effect and is flexible to apply in any context.…

    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The behavioral/ style approach focuses on specific behaviors of a leader and not their traits. Therefore the behavior of a leader determines their success. The writer uses this approach to show that anyone can become a leader at any given time, provided they learn the most appropriate behavioral response to a particular problem. The contingency theory is another approach. I understand that it emphasizes on both the leader’s personality and the situation in which the leader operates. It is characterized by three factors which creates favorable or unfavorable situations. The factors are leader- member relations, task structure and the position of power. Finally, the charismatic leadership has leaders with extraordinary qualities that motivate a large number of people. For example, Martin Luther King junior was a charismatic leader who influenced many people positively (Keith, 2010). However, people should be cautious with charismatic leaders since this kind of leaders may believe to be above the law and sometimes they may fail to solve a dispute if it threatens their…

    • 1131 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    No one theory of leadership has ever been accepted by all, but the common thought of leadership is that it is an influence process, occurs within a group, involves goals, and attainment. Some people think leaders are born with a trait that innately makes them leaders, while others theorize that it is a characteristic of an individual, but we have learned that leaders are a product of their development and life experiences. Leaders are concerned with understanding people’s beliefs and gaining their commitment. They function without focusing on the opinions of others, which allows them to think of new ideas and motivate others to develop these…

    • 282 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A charismatic leader is described as someone with the “ability to empower employees to exceed normal expectations of achievement” (Loughman 159). Beowulf does this in his ability to manage his soldiers as described in the previous point. A charismatic leader is not just this definition alone. There are three stages of the behavior a charismatic leader develops and presents to his followers. “(Stage 1) Environmental assessment – followers perceive the manager's greater desire to change the status quo. (Stage 2) Vision formulation – followers perceive the manager's formulation of a shared, but idealized future vision. (Stage 3) Implementation – managers who are perceived as charismatic are seen to be engaging in exemplary acts that subordinates interpret as involving great personal risk and sacrifice” (Loughman 159). In stage one, the Geats share Beowulf’s desire to stop Grendel to return Heorot to its original state. In stage two, the Geats share Beowulf’s vision of a prosperous future for their kingdom. And finally in stage three, the Geats trust Beowulf as they see his willingness to save Heorot, even when it puts him in risk of death. Beowulf being a brave and charismatic allows him to have outstanding leadership and it helped the Geats fight on to save…

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I think Harvey Milk is a perfect example of someone who is a charismatic leader. Harvey faced numerous obstacles throughout his life and showed complete courage as well as compassion throughout all them all, two traits a charismatic leader would need to have in order to be successful. Harvey’s compassion helped him to interact in the LGBTQ community and be able to relate to others and help them to make sure they knew that they were not alone. Harvey specifically showed his compassion when he got a phone call from a teen boy in utter distress, who was scared about coming out as gay to his parents feeling that they would not understand or be happy about it. Harvey calmly talked to the boy trying to convince him…

    • 1437 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Esther was a prime example of a charismatic leader. Hackman and Johnson, (2013) argues that charismatic leaders are somewhat like the superstores of leadership because they have significant impact on the lives of others. She exemplified the five practices of exemplary leadership according to Kouzes and Posner (2012) and five elements for Baldoni (2003)…

    • 376 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Though for a long time it was believed that a charismatic leader was a good leader, as we learn more about the introvert and extrovert ideals, that conclusion proves to be false. These “leaders” we have today are simply idols with attractive extrovert characteristics. People watch and follow by example but only by the extrovert’s seducing magnetism that the people aspire to have. However, their ability to rally a crowd around their words is a powerful skill. People like Tony Robbins have that ability to make their audience believe their words, ultimately making them believe in…

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Compassion In Practice

    • 1230 Words
    • 5 Pages

    (Sullivan & Garland, 2009; Sherring, 2012) Sullivan & Garland underlines the limitations of this classical theory through the observation that not all people who possess these traits are necessarily inclined to become leaders. Also a leader who is accepted to be effective, may not in fact be gifted with any such characteristics (Sullivan & Garland, 2009). Contrastingly, behavioural theories focus on the actions, or behaviour of the leader in relation to goal achievement (Yukl, 1989; Sullivan & Garland, 2009; Kelly & Tazbir, 2013). An example of this would be charismatic leadership, whereby the leader motivates through their infectious enthusiasm and work ethic (Taylor, 2007; Sullivan & Garland, 2009; Kelly & Tazbir,…

    • 1230 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I’ve only had two people that I have worked with that I considered to have outstanding leadership ability. One was a first sergeant I had while stationed at Ft. Bragg and the other was my lieutenant while working at a prison. Their leadership styles were different but effective. Their leadership styles were very similar to the trait theory, situational leadership theory and path-goal theory.…

    • 458 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    These are not only the leaders worried and concerned in the process; they are also purposeful on helping every member of the group succeed as well. Transformational theory leadership play a big role to inspiration their follower’s intellectual developments and also support imagination between followers. Transformational leaderships help both individual and groups offering them helpful associations. The transformational leader continues to open columns of communication and listens to their follower, this may give followers to feel free to share their thought to be heard and in order that leaders can propose direct acknowledgment of the exceptional contributions of each follower. The treat theory of leadership spotlight on recognising character traits, and quality that are related to successful leadership across a diversity of circumstances: This line of investigating emerged as one of the earliest types of exploration into the nature of successful leadership and is joined to the great man traits. The “great man” leadership theory proposed by Thomas Carlyle in the mid-1800s declares that some people are born with the essential characteristic that set them apart from others and that these traits are responsible sites of power and authority. The advantage of the trait theory is that it presumes leaders come into those traits that they cannot obtain them later throughout life. I believe this supposition is correct in that I too believe most leaders are born, thus, with the traits that make them a leader. This theory also illustrates a lot of traits that I believe are necessary to being a leader, such as, drive,…

    • 1337 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I believe that there are some individuals who are natural leaders, but I also believe that leadership can be developed in individuals. The leadership theory that I relate to the most is the authentic leadership theory. This theory states that leaders are transparent and sincere, and leaders are not imitations (Kinsler,…

    • 724 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    What is leadership? Leadership can be traced back millions of years; one could postulate that the first forms of life on earth showed forms of leadership. For instance, Insects show leader ship behaviors with their foraging skills, as do birds with flocking. Thus, people from ancient times to now have tried to explain where leadership is derived. Consequently, there are seven theories that have been composed to explain leadership, great person, trait, behavioral, situational, contingency, transactional, transformational, and big five theories; each theory building upon the other and the ever advancing definition of leadership.…

    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Inspirational Motivation – Communicating the high expectations for followers and then motivating them to accomplish those goals is a characteristic of an effective transformational leader. Jesus inspired and equipped his followers to do some remarkable things, things they never could have done on their own, but were only accomplished because of who Jesus was and his relationship with them.…

    • 1526 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Charismatic leaders create a comfortable and welcoming environment using their charisma and social skills. They give their employees the feeling that their opinion matters and gives them confidence to speak up by listening to what they have to say. Lindsey shows this by taking the time out of her busy schedule to mentor her employees in a welcoming and judgement free environment, allowing them to speak their minds openly and honestly. An era of leadership which she would not fit into very well is the culture era. In the culture era employees, provided with the right culture, will be self leaders. Lindsey doesn’t fit very well into this because she provides the leadership for her team of employees, and beyond that she receives leadership from the company 's CEO and CCO. Therefore, with the high reliance on leadership from Lindsey and within the Petrotranz company she cannot fit into the cultural era…

    • 732 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays

Related Topics