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Introduction
What is your leadership style? The most interesting leadership style, by far, is the
charismatic leadership. According to the author, “charismatic leadership hurled to the forefront
of public attention with the 2008 election of the United States’ first African American president,
Barack Obama, who is charismatic, among many other attributes” (Northouse, 2013, p. 20).
This is the type of leadership I would prefer to follow or lead, possessing charisma. The leader
seemingly has a special gift and a special love for others.
Charismatic leadership is defined as a transformational leadership. The
transformational leadership is a process which changes and transforms the leader and followers.
This leadership is a form of “charismatic and visionary, whereas capitalizing on emotions,
values, ethical standards, and long-term goals of a vision” (Northouse, 2013, p. 185). The leader
is able to use his or her charisma to guide a group of followers in a specific direction.
Nevertheless, what distinguishes charismatic leaders from others is that leaders utilize the
trait approach. The trait approach self-monitors, impress others, and motivates to receive power.
Leaders who use the trait approach are consistent, thereby being portrayed as a great person and
effective leader. Characteristics of the trait approach include “intelligence, alertness, insight,
responsibility, initiative, persistence, self-confidence, and sociability” (Northouse, 2013, p. 20).
These traits help develop a leader as he or she focuses on the behavioral and situational factors of
self and others. Also, these traits help determine the rise and fall of the leader’s guidance. A
leader’s charisma has to be validated by the followers, the author noted.
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Overview
Northouse (2013) noted that leadership behavior is culturally related. Globally, different
cultures identify with leadership in various ways. The charismatic/value-based leadership
inspires, motivates, and generates a high expectation of followers. This type of leadership is
characterized as being “visionary, inspirational, self-sacrificing, trustworthy, decisive, and
performance oriented” (Northouse, 2013, p. 395).
Religiously, many missionaries, preachers, and teachers have been known as charismatic
leaders over the centuries. Don Finto, former missionary and a professor at David Lipscomb
University, was called the Godfather of the charismatic movement. He led a group of people
successfully for more than 40 years with charismatic leadership. Finto’s charismatic practices
included speaking in tongues, raising hands while singing, healing prayer, exuberant worship and
words of knowledge in the church. However, Finto used his charisma to turn a dying urban
congregation into Nashville's first modern megachurch (Belmont Church). He influenced local
celebrities and musicians to become part of his leadership (Smietana, 2010). This example of
charismatic leadership was effective because it used social power to influence the people.
The charismatic leadership is known for inspiring others and giving hope to the
followers. Pope Francis' charismatic leadership reflected on faith and instilled much hope to the
Catholic Church. This world spiritual leader offered encouragement, prayer, and small talk with
the common people on the telephone. This example of charismatic leadership was effective
mainly, because it enabled everyone to feel a part of the leadership. The author noted that the
“pope brought tears of joy to people who didn't know that that was what they were waiting for"
(Rhodes, 2013).
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Holmes (2013) reported that charismatic leaders are leaders whose followers are
mesmerized by his or her personality and charm. Those who use this leadership style surpass at
whatever the cause maybe. They make others feel that they are truly significant and necessary
for the leader to be effective. These charismatic leaders perform practices such as:

using direct eye contact

remembering personal details about the person they are speaking with

giving their whole attention to the other person for the time they are with them

understanding their environments and being experienced at identifying the attitudes of the
followers

modifying his or her manners and communication to suit the situation at hand.
Their smartness when leading others is to have their zeal transfer to their followers by being
exceptionally encouraging and spirited. However, followers need more than just a charismatic
leader to keep them supportable over a long period of time.
Meanwhile, Holmes (2013) mentioned the advantages and disadvantages of the
charismatic leadership. They are masterminds at selling the vision; helping people to see
opportunities and possibilities. They are masters at intertwining stories and narratives that enable
people to accept the vision, for example: John F. Kennedy leading a nation to put the first man
on the moon. A charismatic leader can bring in results by having people willing to go the extra
mile for him or her. Thereby, achieving great results and accomplishing things that other
leadership styles may not. One pitfall for charismatic leadership is when the leader’s ego has
surpassed its course. Charismatic leaders can sometimes get too jammed up in their own egos
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and desires, whereas causing an overwhelming effort on the followers, for example: the situation
with entrepreneur, Donald Trump and the downfall of his leadership. The budding disadvantage
for these leaders is that followers believe in their leadership. Then, they begin to believe that
without leader, the organization structure might fail to exist. Being a charismatic leader can be a
blessing or a curse in disguise.
Musser (1987) suggested “the charismatic leader gathers followers through dint of
personality and charm, rather than any form of external power or authority.” Charisma and
elegance are all that is required to generate a group of followers. The author also noted that a
charismatic leader should have self-confidence and relate to those who admire him or her,
mostly. Politically, many politicians have used the charismatic style in creating a numerous
amount of followers. Charismatic leaders who are in a political party, a religion, or a business
team, will often focus intensely on making the group very strong and distinct, thereby separating
it from other groups. They will then build the image of the group as being far superior to all
others. The charismatic leader, according to the author, along with the group becomes as one.
Thus, they create an undisputable position for themselves.
Moreover, Kellerman (2009) examined the nature of President Barak Obama’s
charismatic leadership. She stated this point of view about his charisma:
What was striking about the inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th president of the
United States was the degree to which the day mirrored the months that preceded it. The
fact that some two million were present for the occasion – an unprecedented number –
was somehow not astonishing. After all, this was the man who had been packing them in
since the caucuses in Iowa. This was the man who by raising small sums of money from
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large numbers of people filled his coffers to overflowing. This was the man who played
Pied Piper to legions of activists, who freely, eagerly, dedicated their lives to his cause.
This was the man whose silver tongue had moved many to the point of tears, had moved
them to move mountains to make him president.
Kellerman (2009) summed up the characteristics of a charismatic leader in action. President
Obama exemplified all of the attributes of a charismatic leader. He was, by far, one of the first in
our lifetimes to have been genuinely charismatic. Some critics and supporters alike recognize
that Barack Hussein Obama is unusual. He is a leader who inspires in his followers “complete
devotion…arising out of enthusiasm, or of despair and hope.”
Conclusion
Charismatic leaders should be competent in cross-cultural awareness and practice,
Northouse (2013) pointed. The author also noted that charismatic leaders should have an
understanding of cultural related issues globally, while developing competence to work and
communicate with all cultures. This practice will enable charismatic leaders the ability to be an
effective leader by generating positive outcomes in the workplace and society.
Conclusively, President Barack Hussein Obama was instrumental in communicating with
most cultures which awarded him the majority votes to become president of the United States.
Northouse (2013) noted that Latin Americans placed the most emphasis on charismatic
leadership. Leadership which is value-based, team-oriented, and self-protected. This is the
profile interest for most people in America, in general. Charismatic leaders builds confidence
and trust among followers. President Barack Hussein Obama’s motto was “Yes, we can!” This
motto enabled followers to think above whatever circumstance or situation they were facing.
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Northouse (2013) mentioned that charismatic leadership instills hope into the minds of followers,
whereas followers gain a sense of confidence and self-efficacy as they worked with the leader.
However, this relationship may or may not last forever. On the other hand, the author related that
charismatic leadership works. It joins the followers and their own concepts to the identity of the
organization or a specific cause.
Thereby, the charismatic leadership creates strong role models who demonstrate positive
behavior such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy. The charismatic behavior
portrays nonviolence, strong mindedness, and strong understanding of one’s own beliefs/values.
My final charismatic thoughts conclude with John F. Kennedy’s statement, “Ask not what your
country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” This statement empowered the
people to go far and beyond their capabilities as a citizen of the United States of America.
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References
Holmes, S. (2013). Charismatic leadership: Is it a blessing or a curse? Retrieved from
www.makeadentleadership.com/charismatic-leadership.html
Kellerman, B. (2009, January 22). Leadership: The nature of Obama’s charismatic leadership.
Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2009/01/the-nature-of-obamas-c
Musser, S. J. (1987). The determination of positive and negative charismatic leadership.
Retrieved from
http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/styles/charismatic_leadership.html
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Publications, Inc.
Rhodes, M. (2013, October 12). Pope Francis’ leadership reflects faith, inspires hope. The
Tennessean Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/
Smietana, B. (2010, May 3). Godfather of charismatic movement still spirited at 80. The
Tennessean Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/