CHARISMA IN LEADERSHIP Brenda Neckvatal University of Richmond November 2007
CHARISMA IN LEADERSHIP
Brenda NeckvatalUniversity of RichmondNovember 2007
DEFINING CHARISMA IN LEADERSHIP
Does it look like this?
What is your perception of charisma?
DEFINING CHARISMA IN LEADERSHIP
Or this?
What is your perception of charisma?
DEFINING CHARISMA IN LEADERSHIP
Or this?
What is your perception of charisma?
DEFINING CHARISMA IN LEADERSHIP
• how is it obtained
Many have a misunderstanding of • what charisma is
• It can be successfully trained
DEFINING CHARISMA IN LEADERSHIP
Extraordinary power and appeal of personality
The American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy …
A natural ability to inspire a large following
LEADER-FOLLOWER RELATIONSHIP
Before the 1970s, there was a different view on the effects of charisma in leadership.
Easily molded and persuaded
by dynamic leaders
Were drawn to charismatic
leaders because of what they
personally lacked
Were attempting to resolve a
conflict between who they were &
what they wanted to become
Psychoanalysts believed followers were…
LEADER-FOLLOWER RELATIONSHIP
• Articulating visions that serve the collective
• Empower and develop their followers
• Work through established channels of authority
Socialized
• Narcissistic & authoritative
• Have a high need for power & demand unquestioning obedience
• Hold goals that reflect their own self-interest
Personalized
1988 Jane Howell & Robert House identified charismatic behavior applied to leadership
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
Skills
Sensitive to the
environment
Show genuine concern towards others
Exploit new opportunities
Articulating an idealized
future
Deployinnovative
means
Use personal power to influence
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
Charismatic leaders’ use of high energy, persistence, unconventional and risky behavior, heroic deeds and personal sacrifices, are all to serve to articulate their high motivation and enthusiasm…which becomes contagious.
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
Deep commitment to learning about the organization
Market opportunities through networking
Makes accurate assessments on information gained
Charismatic leaders build credibility by developing a thorough understanding of the industry
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
Followers begin to innately trust leaders when they perceive that their leader is unflinchingly dedicated to their set vision and willing to work toward it even at the risk of personal and considerable sacrifice.
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
Is charisma an innate talent or can charisma be developed and trained amongst others in the organization?
Charisma comes from within.
It cannot be taught & when it is forced, it appears inauthentic.
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
Uses natural wit and sense of humor to draw followers in to his ideas
Always willing to be the butt of the joke at his personal cost
Assess the environment and has a unique ability to motivate ordinary people do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do
Tom Folliard, CEO & President of CarMax
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
WitWillingnes
s Ability
CONGER-KANAUNGO CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE
Rating scale6 = Very Characteristic5 = Characteristic4 = Slightly Characteristic3 = Slightly Uncharacteristic2 = Uncharacteristic1 = Very Uncharacteristic
CONGER-KANAUNGO CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE
Four leaders at CarmaxTom Foliard, CEO and President Cliff Woods, Vice President of
MerchandisingMike Otte, Regional Vice President of
Traditional SystemsSean Ramage, Director of Management
Training
CONGER-KANUNGO CHARISMATICLEADERSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE
Tom Folliard, CEO
Service Operations
Mike Otte, Regional Vice President of Traditional Systems
Business Operations
Cliff Wood, Vice President
of Merchandising
Sales
Store Operations and Training
Sean Ramage, Director of
Management Training
CONGER-KANUNGO CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE
Score
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
117
105
137
138
TomCliffMikeSean