Charismatic Leadership

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Background 3

The Leadership Traits 3

Challenges and Recommendations 6

Conclusion 7

Bibliography 8

Appendix 9

Introduction

The oxford dictionary defines a leader as one who leads or commands a group, organization or country, whilst leadership is defined as that group of people that lead (Oxford University Press, 2014).

In a bid to understand aspects of effective leadership, a number of thought leaders in leadership such as Robert House, Fred E. Fielder, Dr Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard amongst others, have developed leadership theories. The trait and situational theories are two examples. The trait theory argues that effective leaders share common personality traits which are useful in leading others, thereby bestowing success solely on the personal leader’s traits (Dubrin, 2010).

In contrast the situational theory, of which path-goal theory and Hersey-Blanchard theory fall, contend that a leader needs to look at their environment and followers to determine the best fit of leadership style. Thus, there is no one correct form of leadership but rather the style is dependent on the situation (Mindtools).

In addition there is also Lewin’s style of leadership categorizing leaders into three, that is, autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire leaders. These formed the foundation of other leadership styles that followed.

According to Dave Berlew, effective leaders articulate vision and empower followers by building their sense of self-efficacy. Robert J. House concurred but also speculated that in addition, effective leaders arise motives relevant to their tasks, thus effective military combat leaders arise the power motive, effective leaders of social groups arise the affiliative motive and effective leaders of sales persons, profit centre managers, entrepreneurial firms, scientists and engineers arise the achievement motive (House, 1996). This image is strikingly similar to the stereotypical charismatic leader. Charisma...