Presentation on charismatic leadership created in my Principles of Management class at Simmons College's graduate school of library and information science

1. Wikimedia Commons
Charismatic Leadership
A Cult of Personality
LIS 404-04
Oral Presentation
By Eileen Fontenot

2. Charismatic Characteristics
• Almost “superhuman” qualities of mind and
speech
• Highly persuasive and controlling with
followers
• Dominant, influential and good with
rhetoric
• Passionate, articulate and unconventional

3. Charismatic Followers
• Unquestioning acceptance of the leader
• Utmost trust in the leader and his
decisions
• Willing obedience toward the leader
• Emulation and identification with the
leader
• Emotional involvement in the mission

4. Utilizing Charisma
Positives Negatives
• Higher output from • May not have best
followers interests in mind
• Broadening and • Manipulations and
elevating followers’ exaggerations
interest in the • Limiting communication
organization and access
• Gives meaning and • Can be polarizing among
purpose to followers’ followers
goals

5. Charisma In
Management
• Red tape, rules and
regulations can hinder a
charismatic leader’s
objectives.
• When or if a charismatic
leader leaves his position in
an organization, a company
can be left rudderless and
directionless.
• Charismatic leaders can be
egomaniacal and minimize
other personalities by sheer
force of will.
Wikimedia Commons

6. Charisma In Libraries
• Because of budgetary constraints and the ongoing transition
from paper to digital resources, charismatic leaders can be of
great benefit to libraries, giving them extra inspiration to get
through these tough times.
• More independent-minded staff can resent charismatic
authority and its dominance, which may lead some
employees to quit their jobs or internal conflict.

7. Questions or Comments?
Library of Congress