Charismatic Leadership Style

The charismatic leadership style can readily transform attitudes and beliefs in others. This leader has the power to influence and inspire people and the goals of the organization generally reflect that vision. A charismatic leader is the type of leader that motivates their team or people by their way of expressive communication, persuasion, and personality. The charismatic leader is also talented in helping others see a vision of the future. This is the type of leader that can galvanize teams and point their collective efforts into a unifying goal.

Do You Actually Know Your Leadership Style? Take the 2 Minute Quiz

The charismatic leadership style is the concept of the German sociologist Max Weber. He first introduced the term “Charismatic Leader” in his book “The Three Types of Legitimate Rule” in 1958. 

“individuals who are both verbally eloquent, but also able to communicate to followers on a deep, emotional level”

Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D.

What sets the charismatic leadership style apart is the leader’s ability to communicate effectively. This leader knows how to strike a chord with their followers, often engaging with people on a more personal level. Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D. from Claremont McKenna College wrote of the Charismatic leader, “essentially very skilled communicators, individuals who are both verbally eloquent, but also able to communicate to followers on a deep, emotional level,” in an article from Psychology Today.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Charismatic Leadership

There are distinct advantages to the charismatic leadership style. Charismatic leaders are often a catalyst for social change. However, they may not be a fit for organizations or situations that depend on rigid processes to function. The charismatic leader may also find it tough to flourish is teams where other strong or more dominant personalities exist.

How does this leadership style compare with your own style? How does it compare to your manager? Whether you are a charismatic leader, another style, or a combination of styles below are some advantages and disadvantages to the charismatic leadership style to consider:

Pros

  • Inspire people to work together for a common cause
  • Can create cohesive teams or organizations because their staff have a clear purpose

Cons

  • Can develop tunnel-vision or arrogance, undoing their previous good deeds
  • Organizations can become dependent on the charismatic leader and suffer if he or she leaves the company
  • The charismatic leaders may believe they are above the law or current rules

Yes, there are pros and cons to each of the leadership styles, but understanding how to strike a balance is key to being a successful leader. Still unsure about your own style? To learn more about your style as a leader or an aspiring leader, take our short quiz that will give you a sense of your own style. To start the 2-minute leadership style quiz, click here.

Famous Leaders with Charismatic Leadership Style

From heads of state to religious leaders, below are a few of the many leaders in history that have displayed the charismatic leadership style.

  •   Sir Winston Churchill
  •   U.S. President Ronald Reagan
  •   Mother Teresa
  •   U.S. President Barack Obama 
  •   Pope John Paul ll
Icon White in Circle@0.75

RECAP: Charismatic Leadership Style

A natural at influencing and inspiring. This is the leadership style that often comes to mind when we think of the famous leaders in history. But this leadership style is much more than show. This is the type of person that tends to create currents of change in our world, just when the world needs it. Want to understand more about your own leadership style? Take our quick leadership style quiz now.

Want to know more about other leadership styles? Select one of these links for more comprehensive information about each style: Situational Leadership | Servant Leadership | Democratic Leadership | Supportive Leadership | Transactional Leadership | Laissez-fair Leadership | Transformational Leadership | Autocratic Leadership

This is Why Women Leaders are Better for Business.
Articles Research Women

This is Why Women Leaders are Better for Business.

Why Continuous Learning Makes You a Better Leader
Articles

Why Continuous Learning Makes You a Better Leader

15 Apps and Tools Every Leader Needs
Articles

15 Apps and Tools Every Leader Needs

The Power of a The Growth Mindset
Articles Personal Growth Research

The Power of a The Growth Mindset

Why Every Leader should know SWOT Analysis
Articles

Why Every Leader should know SWOT Analysis

5 Ways to Instantly Enhance Your Executive Presence
Articles Career

5 Ways to Instantly Enhance Your Executive Presence

8 Habits of Famous Leaders that You Should Try
Articles

8 Habits of Famous Leaders that You Should Try

The 10 Leadership Theories You Should Know
Leadership Style Articles Research

The 10 Leadership Theories You Should Know

A Leader’s Guide to the DISC Personality Assessment
Personal Growth Articles Research

A Leader’s Guide to the DISC Personality Assessment

5 Leadership Habits for New Leaders
Articles

5 Leadership Habits for New Leaders

The Best Way to Give Feedback—SBI Model
Articles

The Best Way to Give Feedback—SBI Model

Learn 8 Memory Techniques that Work
Personal Growth Articles

Learn 8 Memory Techniques that Work

9 Must-Have Job Skills You Can Use Anywhere
Articles Personal Growth

9 Must-Have Job Skills You Can Use Anywhere

10 Leadership Styles You Should Know
Leadership Style Articles

10 Leadership Styles You Should Know

The 17 Most Inspirational Videos to Inspire Better Leadership
Articles Video

The 17 Most Inspirational Videos to Inspire Better Leadership

Are the Best Leaders Born or Made?
Career Articles

Are the Best Leaders Born or Made?

The 12 Podcasts Every Good Leader Should Subscribe To
Articles Podcast Research

The 12 Podcasts Every Good Leader Should Subscribe To

5 Character Traits of Great Leaders?
Personal Growth Articles

5 Character Traits of Great Leaders?

11 Books Every Great Leader Should Read (or Return To)
Research Articles Books

11 Books Every Great Leader Should Read (or Return To)

What is the Situational Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Situational Leadership Style?

What is the Servant Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Servant Leadership Style?

What is the Democratic Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Democratic Leadership Style?

What is the Supportive Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Supportive Leadership Style?

What is the Transactional Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Transactional Leadership Style?

What is the Laissez-faire Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Laissez-faire Leadership Style?

What is the Transformational Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Transformational Leadership Style?

What is the Charismatic Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Charismatic Leadership Style?

What is the Autocratic Leadership Style?
Leadership Style

What is the Autocratic Leadership Style?

The 20 Best Quotes from Maya Angelou
Quotes

The 20 Best Quotes from Maya Angelou

29 of the Best Sports Quotes for Leaders
Quotes

29 of the Best Sports Quotes for Leaders

The 40 Best Innovation Quotes for Leaders
Quotes

The 40 Best Innovation Quotes for Leaders

The 40 Best Leadership Quotes
Quotes

The 40 Best Leadership Quotes

POC Principle: The 3 Words that will Change Your Life for the Better
Personal Growth Articles Inspiration

POC Principle: The 3 Words that will Change Your Life for the Better

Your 2020 To-Do List: 10 Things You Can Do to Make This Year Great
Articles Personal Growth

Your 2020 To-Do List: 10 Things You Can Do to Make This Year Great

5 Useful Lessons From History’s Greatest Leaders
Articles

5 Useful Lessons From History’s Greatest Leaders

GOAT: The 10 Greatest Leaders Ever ― Let the Debate Begin
Articles

GOAT: The 10 Greatest Leaders Ever ― Let the Debate Begin