2020 iLEAD e-book

Charismatic Leadership (Weber)
Charisma is defined by Max Weber as "a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which he is set
apart from ordinary men and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically
exceptional powers or qualities. These are such as are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded
as of divine origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader
(...). How the quality in question would be ultimately judged from an ethical, aesthetic, or other such point of
view is naturally indifferent for the purpose of definition".
Charismatic people have a remarkable ability to distill complex ideas into simple messages ("I have a dream");
they communicate by using symbols, analogies, metaphors and stories. Furthermore they relish risk and feel
empty without it, they are great optimists, they are rebels who fight convention, and they may seem
idiosyncratic.
Charismatic leaders are pictured as organizational heroes or magic leaders who have the social power basis to
orchestrate turnarounds, launch new enterprises, inspire organizational renewal, and obtain extraordinary
performance from organizational members. These leaders inspire trust, faith and belief. Of course none of this
is a guarantee that the mission will be correct, ethical, or successful.
STRENGTHS OF CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE
Results in relatively strong, unchallenged levels of obedience
Useful in difficult times, such as an urgent organizational turnaround
Effective. If the leader’s vision is right, this leadership style can be extremely effective
Rhetorical ability
Energetic, inner clarity, visionary, unconventional, and exemplary
LIMITATIONS OF CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP STYLE
Results in relatively strong, unchallenged levels of obedience; tendency of gathering weak "yes -­men"
around him. Poor delegation.
People possessing these skills and attributes are relatively rare.
Tendency to narcissism; losing reality, insensitive to others
Lack of accountability, freedom from inner (moral) conflicts. If such leaders are well intentioned
towards others, they can elevate and transform an entire company. But if they are selfish, they
can create cults and effectively rape the minds of the followers.
Unpredictable. Potentially dangerous