What Are the Effects of Charismatic Leadership?

Charisma is the term commonly used in the sociological and political science literature to describe leaders who by force of their personal abilities are capable of having profound and extraordinary effects on followers. These effects include commanding loyalty and devotion to the leader and of inspiring followers to accept and execute the will of the leader without hesitation or question or regard to 'one's self interest. The term charisma, whose initial meaning was "gift", is usually reserved for leaders who by their influence are able to cause followers to accomplish outstanding feats. Frequently such leaders represent a break with the established order and through their leadership major social changes are accomplished.
The Effects of Charismatic Leadership
Many writers agree that the effects of charismatic leadership are more emotional than calculative in that the follower is inspired to enthusiastically give unquestioned loyalty, commitment and devotion to the leader and to the cause that the leader represents. The charismatic leader is also seen to be an object of identification by which the followers evaluate the leaders’ values, goals, and behavior. Thus, one of the effects of the charismatic leader is to cause followers to model their behavior, feelings, and cognitions.
Through the articulation of a transcendent goal the leader is assumed to clarify or specify a mission for the followers. By the leader's expression of self-confidence, and through the exhibition of confidence in followers, the leader is also assumed to inspire self-confidence in the followers. Thus, the charismatic leader is asserted to clarify followers’ goals, cause them to set or accept higher goals and have greater confidence in their ability to contribute to the attainment of such goals.
Finally, according to the traditional literature on charisma the charismatic leader is assumed to have the effect of bringing about rather radical change by virtue of beliefs and values that are