CHARISMATIC LEADER

Charismatic Leaders Charismatic Leaders are often thought of as heroes that are able to use their personal allure to lead others. But that charismatic charm can be both a blessing and a curse on society. That's because charisma can be used for the good of a company or nation - but also for less-than-honorable reasons. Pros and Cons of Charismatic Leaders Charismatic leaders are able to use their personal charm to get things done. This can be an extremely powerful way to lead others. In fact, such strong charismatic influence can be achieved over followers that these leaders can make certain individuals accomplish some pretty extraordinary tasks. Pros of Charismatic Leaders Charismatic leaders have the ability to sense the gap that exists between what an organization is delivering to its followers, and what the followers need from an organization. This allows the leader to create a vision of a future state that everyone believes will be better than today's environment. The charismatic leader often articulates this vision using metaphors and stories in ways that everyone can understand the vision. The followers see the leader as one that possesses the ability to visualize the future with clarity. The followers are also able to see how they fit into this future state, and believe it will be better than today. Since followers can see themselves in this future vision, they support the goals of the organization and the leaders more readily. Rather than resorting to coercion, the charismatic leader builds trust among followers. Cons of Charismatic Leaders Charismatic leaders achieve their vision through persistence and personal sacrifice. These leaders become role models for their organizations. Since followers share in the vision, they are empowered to make decisions that move the organization more quickly towards the goal. Some followers may find this transformation uncomfortable and disruptive to the workplace or to them personally. Others may have difficulty relating to the leader's vision of the future. Charismatic leaders also rely heavily on their personal charm, and perceptions, which could be significantly influenced by rumors or "negative press." Examples of Charismatic Leaders History has painted a picture of former Presidents that have been both charming and charismatic. However, there have also been charismatic leaders with less honorable intentions - even outlaws. John F. Kennedy Arguably the most charismatic President of the United States, John F. Kennedy came from a powerful family, and was blessed with good looks in addition to his personal charisma. Due to the charismatic and stylish couple, John and Jackie, the Kennedy White House became known as Camelot. Alan Jay Lerner, Kennedy's Harvard classmate, even wrote a hit song "Camelot" for the Broadway musical, which was a personal favorite of President Kennedy. Charles Manson When we mentioned earlier that charismatic leaders could also use their influence for less-than-honorable purposes, the classic example of this abuse is Charles Manson. Some people believe it was a combination of the drug LSD coupled with Manson's charismatic personality that allowed him to manipulate others. In the end, Susan Atkins along with other members of the Manson family, were found guilty of the murder of the 26-year-old movie actress Sharon Tate and four others. Charismatic Leaders in the Workplace Charismatic leaders in the workplace can sometimes make a difference for a company. Other companies will do just fine without such a leader. As mentioned in previous articles, the situational leadership abilities of the leader are an important factor in determining success. When place in certain conditions, charismatic leaders can help to transform a company. In fact, charismatic qualities are very similar to those found in transformational leadership roles. Charismatic leaders can lead organizations into new areas, inspire followers, and sometimes obtain extraordinary performance and results from an organization. First described by Max Weber in 1947 as one of three leadership styles - Bureaucratic, Traditional and Charismatic - the study of this style later evolved with the thoughts of Burns into a transformational leader. Whether you think Weber or Burns is correct in their model of leadership styles is not important, what is important is to understand what characteristics charismatic leaders practice or possess. There appear to be at least four stages in the evolution of a charismatic leader, and they achieve these results by appealing to the followers in very simple ways. When the charismatic leader finally achieves the status of "hero," the organization is likely to have been rescued.

Style

The Charismatic Leader gathers followers through dint of personality and charm, rather than any form of external power or authority.

The searchlight of attention

It is interesting to watch a Charismatic Leader 'working the room' as they move from person to person. They pay much attention to the person they are talking to at any one moment, making that person feel like they are, for that time, the most important person in the world.
Charismatic Leaders pay a great deal of attention in scanning and reading their environment, and are good at picking up the moods and concerns of both individuals and larger audiences. They then will hone their actions and words to suit the situation.

Pulling all of the strings

Charismatic Leaders use a wide range of methods to manage their image and, if they are not naturally charismatic, may practice assiduously at developing their skills. They may engender trust through visible self-sacrifice and taking personal risks in the name of their beliefs. They will show great confidence in their followers. They are very persuasive and make very effective use of body language as well as verbal language.
Deliberate charisma is played out in a theatrical sense, where the leader is 'playing to the house' to create a desired effect. They also make effective use of storytelling, including the use of symbolism and metaphor.
Many politicians use a charismatic style, as they need to gather a large number of followers. If you want to increase your charisma, studying videos of their speeches and the way they interact with others is a great source of learning. Religious leaders, too, may well use charisma, as do cult leaders. 

Leading the team

Charismatic Leaders who are building a group, whether it is a political party, a cult or a business team, will often focus strongly on making the group very clear and distinct, separating it from other groups. They will then build the image of the group, in particular in the minds of their followers, as being far superior to all others.
The Charismatic Leader will typically attach themselves firmly to the identify of the group, such that to join the group is to become one with the leader. In doing so, they create an unchallengeable position for themselves.

Alternative views

The description above is purely based on charisma and takes into account varying moral positions. Other descriptions tend to assume a more benevolent approach.
Conger & Kanungo (1998) describe five behavioral attributes of Charismatic Leaders that indicate a more transformational viewpoint:

• Vision and articulation;
• Sensitivity to the environment;
• Sensitivity to member needs;
• Personal risk taking;
• Performing unconventional behaviour.

Musser (1987) notes that charismatic leaders seek to instil both commitment to ideological goals and also devotion to themselves. The extent to which either of these two goals is dominant depends on the underlying motivations and needs of the leader.

Discussion

The Charismatic Leader and the Transformational Leader can have many similarities, in that the Transformational Leader may well be charismatic. Their main difference is in their basic focus. Whereas the Transformational Leader has a basic focus of transforming the organization and, quite possibly, their followers, the Charismatic Leader may not want to change anything.
Despite their charm and apparent concern, the Charismatic Leader may well be somewhat more concerned with themselves than anyone else. A typical experience with them is that whilst you are talking with them, it is like being bathed in a warm and pleasant glow, in which they are very convincing. Yet afterwards, ask the sunbeam of their attention is moved elsewhere, you may begin to question what they said (or even whether they said anything of significance at all).
The values of the Charismatic Leader are highly significant. If they are well-intentioned towards others, they can elevate and transform an entire company. If they are selfish and Machiavellian, they can create cults and effectively rape the minds (and potentially the bodies) of the followers.
Their self-belief is so high, they can easily believe that they are infallible, and hence lead their followers into an abyss, even when they have received adequate warning from others. The self-belief can also lead them into psychotic narcissism, where their self-absorption or need for admiration and worship can lead to their followers questioning their leadership.
They may also be intolerant of challengers and their irreplaceability (intentional or otherwise) can mean that there are no successors when they leave