The contemporary theory of charismatic leadership is explored.

1. Contemporary Theories:
Charismatic Leadership
Shannon Charlton
March 29th, 2013

2. Charismatic Leadership.. What is
it?
• Does not lead with authority or power, but rather
charm and personality.
• Will talk to their followers as if they are the most
important person in the world.
• People are drawn to this leader.
– They are fascinated by them and will want to be just
like them.
– If you join the group, you join the leader.
• Storytelling, working the room, picking up on the
mood, body language

3. Real Life Examples
• Religious leaders, politicians, lawyers,
celebrities
• John F. Kennedy
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Barack Obama
• Sarah Palin
• Charles Manson
• Oprah Winfrey

4. What Are The Strengths of This
Leadership Style?
• Confidence in followers
• Highly persuasive
• Will sacrifice themselves for the greater
good and what they believe in
• Effective in conveying a strong image
within the group
• Boosts creativity, motivation, production,
and satisfaction

5. What Are The Problems With
This Theory?
• Critics claim that it is difficult, if not impossible,
to develop charisma.
• Ethics: Charisma could be used for as much
“bad” as “good”.
– i.e. Hitler, teenage peer pressure, corrupt politicians
• A charismatic leads by treating subordinates as
friends, and in doing so, they may lose their
authority
• Strategic decisions should not rely on charm
alone

6. Resources
• Changing Minds “Charismatic Leadership”
http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/styles/charism
• Bloomberg BusinessWeek “Five Secrets to Charismatic
Leadership
http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/nov201
0/ca2010112_608471.htm
• eHow “Problems with Contemporary Leadership
Theories”
http://www.ehow.com/info_8480508_problems-
contemporary-theories-leadership.html
• Money-Zine “Charismatic Leaders” http://www.money-
zine.com/Career-Development/Leadership-
Skill/Charismatic-Leaders/

7. Resources
• Changing Minds “Charismatic Leadership”
http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/styles/charism
• Bloomberg BusinessWeek “Five Secrets to Charismatic
Leadership
http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/nov201
0/ca2010112_608471.htm
• eHow “Problems with Contemporary Leadership
Theories”
http://www.ehow.com/info_8480508_problems-
contemporary-theories-leadership.html
• Money-Zine “Charismatic Leaders” http://www.money-
zine.com/Career-Development/Leadership-
Skill/Charismatic-Leaders/