Charismatic Leaders Seem to Shine

The cult of the heroic leader remains strong. Loren Gary

A charismatic leader may seem to be born with a gift to inspire. Particularly during a crisis, people turn to this powerful voice for a grand vision and hope for solutions. Such a leader can clarify the situation for his people and instill the confidence they need. People feel safe handing off a problem to this type of leader.

What makes charismatic leaders such champions? They differ from the norm in greater self-confidence, energy, enthusiasm, and unconventional behavior. Charismatic leaders tend to:

have a clear, fresh, new, and creative vision

be completely devoted to their vision

make great sacrifices to achieve their vision, taking personal risks--financial, professional and
social

create a sense of urgency among their followers

gain the absolute trust of their followers (and also their fear)

use persuasion rather than forceful commands or democratic appeals for consensus to
influence their followers

A charismatic leader is most successful during a crisis. For example, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a charismatic leader who led the United States out of the Great Depression and readied the nation for World War II. On the other hand, Adolf Hitler was also a charismatic leader who gave his defeated nation a new vision of power an might. Thus, charismatic leaders can have great power and influence, but how they use it determines whether their inspiration works for good or not.

However most organizations are not in a continual state of peril. A lofty vision for achieving a grand mission may not be attainable, and the value of inspiration may dissolve into a need for everyday, step-by-step progress. Thus, charismatic leaders are not always the best type of leader.

ACTION POINT: Balance the strengths of charismatic leaderships with the ongoing needs of your organization.