Bu450 Leadership Skills Part Describe Charismatic Leadership

Bu450 Leadership Skillspart Adescribecharismatic Leadershipin Your Ow

Describe charismatic leadership in your own words. Explain what is meant by the statement that charismatic leaders use active impression management with their followers to support their image. Provide and elaborate on one original example. Access the article by Elrod (2012) and respond to the following: 1. In your own words, describe what it means to be an authentic leader. 2. Why is authenticity important for leaders? Provide two reasons. Discuss why charismatic leadership is considered a double-edged sword that requires careful monitoring to prevent abuse. Provide two reasons and one original example illustrating this phenomenon.

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Charismatic leadership is a leadership style where a leader possesses compelling charm and personal appeal that inspire followers to commit to the leader’s vision and goals. Such leaders often exude confidence, passion, and enthusiasm, which foster strong emotional connections with their followers. Charismatic leaders are capable of motivating people beyond transactional exchanges, creating a sense of loyalty and admiration that drives collective effort. Their influence is rooted in their personal qualities rather than formal authority, and they often appeal to followers' emotions and values to galvanize action. Importantly, charismatic leadership can inspire innovative and transformational change but also bears risks if misused or overly dependent on the leader’s personality.

Active impression management, as used by charismatic leaders, refers to deliberate efforts to shape or mold followers’ perceptions of the leader in a way that supports a positive image and sustains influence. Leaders engage in behaviors, communication styles, and actions designed to reinforce their perceived competence, integrity, or vision. This strategic presentation helps maintain followers' trust and admiration, reinforcing the leader's authority and effectiveness. For example, a charismatic CEO might consistently emphasize their commitment to ethical business practices through public speeches and corporate communications while privately engaging in decision-making that may sometimes contradict those stated values. This active shaping of perceptions creates a coherent image that fosters loyalty and motivates followers to support the leader's agenda.

According to Elrod (2012), authentic leadership means leading in a way that is true to one’s core values, beliefs, and personality. An authentic leader acts with honesty, integrity, and transparency, fostering trust by aligning their actions with their genuine self. Authentic leaders do not imitate others or adopt leadership styles superficially; instead, they leverage their strengths and openly acknowledge their limitations. They prioritize building genuine relationships based on trust and mutual respect, which enhances their credibility and influence within organizations.

Authenticity is vital for effective leadership because it cultivates trust and loyalty among followers. When leaders are authentic, followers perceive them as honest and reliable, which deepens the emotional connection that motivates commitment and engagement. Two reasons authenticity is essential include: first, it reduces skepticism and suspicion, enabling leaders to inspire confidence and foster collaboration; second, authentic leaders attract high-quality talent who appreciate transparency and ethical behavior, resulting in a more committed and cohesive team.

Charismatic leadership is often regarded as a double-edged sword because, while it can motivate and energize followers, it also harbors risks of misuse and potential abuse of power. One reason is that followers’ admiration can blind them to ethical lapses or manipulative behaviors of the leader, leading to an unhealthy reliance on the leader’s personal charm rather than organizational goals. A second reason is that charismatic leaders may concentrate power in themselves, undermining checks and balances, which could result in authoritarian tendencies or exploitation.

An example of this is a charismatic political leader who initially inspires hope and unity but gradually centralizes authority, suppresses dissent, and manipulates public perception for personal or political gain. This shift can turn a leader’s influence into a tool for oppression, exemplifying how charisma, if unchecked, can become dangerous and destructive.

References

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