Charismatic leadership emerged as a theory in 1976 proposed by Robert House. It emphasizes symbolic behaviors of leaders who inspire followers through personal charm and magnetism. Charismatic leaders display confidence and are highly persuasive, motivating creativity and satisfaction, though there are also risks if the leader's goals are self-serving rather than for the group. In occupational therapy, charismatic traits could be used to advocate for clients, provide vision, and influence organizations, if balanced with consideration of followers' needs.

1. CHARISMATIC
LEADERSHIPStephanie Piandes, OTS

2. HISTORY
1976
Robert J House
Theory of
Charismatic
Leadership
Unlike, previous leadership styles that emphasized leader/follower
exchange relationships that consisted of, DIRECTION, SUPPORT, and
REINFORCEMENT...

3. HISTORY CONTINUED....
...Charismatic leadership, emphasizes symbolic leader behavior.
Charismatic Leadership: Charismatic leaders have a combination of charm
and personal magnetism that contribute to a remarkable ability to get other
people to endorse their vision and promote it passionately (Konopaske,
2018).

4. CHARISMATIC LEADER & FOLLOWER
QUALITIES
Modified from: Northouse, P.G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: SAGE.

5. CHARISMATIC LEADER/FOLLOWER
RELATIONSHIP
Modified from: Willner, A. R. (1985). The Spellbinders: Charismatic Political Leadership. London: Yale University
Press.
Properties:
1. The leader is perceived by the followers as somehow superhuman.
2. The followers blindly believe the leaders statements.
3. The followers unconditionally comply with the leaders directives for action.
4. The followers give the leader unqualified emotional support.

6. CHARISMATIC LEADERS IN HISTORY1992 Town Hall Debate
Social Movement Organizations
Politics
Mahatma Gandhi
Martin Luther King Jr.
Malcom X
Michael Alig
Rose McGowan
Franklin D Roosevelt
Benito Mussolini
Bill ClintonAdolf Hitler
Robert

7. CHARISMATIC LEADERS IN HISTORY
CONTINUED Religious
Spheres
Business
Charles Manson and the
Manson Family (late 1960’s)
Jim Jones and the People’s
Temple (1978)
David Koresh and the
Branch Davidians (l993)
Keith Raniere and
NXIVM(1998-present)
Bernie MadoffKenneth Lay and Jeff
Skilling (Enron)Mary Kay Ash
Lee Iacocca

8. CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP IN OT
Founders of theory
The Bobath’s
Ayers
Kielhofner

9. STRENGTHS OF CHARISMATIC
LEADERSHIP
➤ 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.

10. RISKS OF CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP
➤ The term “charisma” is value neutral.
➤ Does not distinguish between good or moral and evil or immoral
charismatic leadership.
Table 1. Individual Qualities of Ethical and Unethical Charismatic Leaders
Unethical Charismatic Leader Ethical Charismatic Leader
* Uses power only for personal gain or
impact.
* Promotes own personal vision.
* Censures critical or opposing views
* Demands own decisions be accepted
without question
* One-way communication
* Insensitive to follower’s needs
* Relies on conventional external moral
standards to satisfy self-interests.
* Uses power to serve others.
* Aligns vision with followers’ needs and
aspirations.
* Considers and learns from criticism.
* Stimulates followers to think independently
and to question the leader’s views
* Open, two-way communication
* Coaches, develops, and supports followers;
shares recognition with others.
* Relies on internal moral standards to satisfy
organizational and societal interests.
Modified from: Howell (1992). The Ethics of Charismatic Leadership: Submission or Liberation?

11. CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP IN OT
➤ TRAIT based leadership theory——- possessing innate abilities or personality traits.
➤ Depending on the context, “charisma” could be used in OT to...
➤ Lead a failing treatment/intervention and turn it around.
➤ In collaboration with assertiveness and initiative, could motivate and advocate for
clients and or teams.
➤ Provide direction.
➤ Influence over vision for future of organization, team, or client.

12. QUESTIONS

13. SOURCES
Howell, J. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1992). The ethics of charismatic leadership: Submission or liberation?
Academy of Management Perspectives,6(2), 43-54. doi:10.5465/ame.1992.4274395
Johnson, D. P. (1979). Dilemmas of Charismatic Leadership: The Case of the Peoples Temple.
Sociological Analysis,40(4), 315. doi:10.2307/3709960
Konopaske, R., Ivancevich, J. M., & Matteson, M. T. (2018). Organizational behavior and
management. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and practice. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Post, J. M. (1986). Narcissism and the Charismatic Leader–Follower Relationship. Narcissism and
Politics,7(4), 71-88. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511920059.007
Shamir, B., House, R. J., & Arthur, M. B. (1993). The Motivational Effects of Charismatic Leadership:
A Self-Concept Based Theory. Organization Science,4(4), 577-594. doi:10.1287/orsc.4.4.577
Willner, A. R. (1985). The spellbinders: Charismatic political leadership. London: Yale University
Press.