Charasmatic Leader
Charismatic Leaders
February 19, 2014
SP2750
The German sociologist Max Weber is the person responsible for introduction the idea of charisma as being a type of leadership. Weber believed that leaders who possessed charismatic leadership qualities were highly esteemed persons. Talcott Parson is widely credited with importing Weber’s ideas to the United States. Lowell Bennion was the first person responsible for making available Weber’s original ideas in the United States. (Papers, 2009)
There is a great deal of controversy about whether charisma is a given or inherit trait and if it leads to effective leaders. A charismatic leader is one who attracts followers through their personality and ability to compel members to their way of thinking. These leaders tend to have articulate speaking skills that enable them to compel or captivate an audience, good listening skills that make the speaker feel important, a positive attitude, and the ability to inspire the people into action. They can also focus a great deal of attention in reading their environment and are good at sussing out the moods and concerns their audience. This allows them to hone their actions/words to suit the situation. (Ronald E. Riggio, 2012)
Charisma can also have a negative impact. Some charismatic leaders can lead people into nefarious actions. A young officer, Napoleon Bonaparte, in the French army was successful because he instinctively knew about human behavior and the fact that one needed to show appreciation to those who helped you succeed. A good example of this was after a key victory; Bonaparte demanded the gold and silver confiscated from those conquered when he then passed out to his soldiers as thanks. Napoleon’s charisma eventually led his army into battles (Russia) that advisors deemed not worth this risk and his imprisonment. (McManus)
Good examples of charismatic leaders include Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Winston Churchill; they
February 19, 2014
SP2750
The German sociologist Max Weber is the person responsible for introduction the idea of charisma as being a type of leadership. Weber believed that leaders who possessed charismatic leadership qualities were highly esteemed persons. Talcott Parson is widely credited with importing Weber’s ideas to the United States. Lowell Bennion was the first person responsible for making available Weber’s original ideas in the United States. (Papers, 2009)
There is a great deal of controversy about whether charisma is a given or inherit trait and if it leads to effective leaders. A charismatic leader is one who attracts followers through their personality and ability to compel members to their way of thinking. These leaders tend to have articulate speaking skills that enable them to compel or captivate an audience, good listening skills that make the speaker feel important, a positive attitude, and the ability to inspire the people into action. They can also focus a great deal of attention in reading their environment and are good at sussing out the moods and concerns their audience. This allows them to hone their actions/words to suit the situation. (Ronald E. Riggio, 2012)
Charisma can also have a negative impact. Some charismatic leaders can lead people into nefarious actions. A young officer, Napoleon Bonaparte, in the French army was successful because he instinctively knew about human behavior and the fact that one needed to show appreciation to those who helped you succeed. A good example of this was after a key victory; Bonaparte demanded the gold and silver confiscated from those conquered when he then passed out to his soldiers as thanks. Napoleon’s charisma eventually led his army into battles (Russia) that advisors deemed not worth this risk and his imprisonment. (McManus)
Good examples of charismatic leaders include Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Winston Churchill; they
References: Alain, P. (2011, November 4). The Charismatic Leader Traits. Retrieved from Industry Leaders magazine: http://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/the-charismatic-leader-traits/ Investor, G. (2010). Are Charismatic Leaders Born Or Made? Retrieved from Day-To-Day: http://gerarddoret007.blogspot.com/2010/05/are-charismatic-leaders-born-or-made.html Riggio Ph.D., R. E. (2010). Are Charismatic Leaders Born or Made? Retrieved from Psycology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201006/are- “The Charismatic Leader Traits." Industry Leaders Magazine RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. "The Most Charismatic Leader." : CHARISMATIC LEADER. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.