Charismatic Leadership
In the following, I would like to talk about two very
different leaders and provide an in-depth analysis of how each leader used
charisma to lead their respective countries. Emphasis is also placed on
where each leader was effective, and where each leader faltered as a result of
their power.
Adolf Hitler:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6E4H2nHmuo
Without ever seeing Hitler or hearing
his actual voice, it is tough to believe anyone would ever get behind his
message. After watching his speech, the power and intensity of his words
become evident. Even though no one in our group speaks German or knows what he
is saying, he presents his message with an unrivaled passion and energy.
Hitler was able to fill the void in Germany after World War I, uniting
the country towards a clear vision. Even though Hitler’s ideas were
radical, he was able to use his charisma to dominate Germany.
Evidence suggests that leaders with
charisma influence their followers using a four-step process. First, the
leader will present a long-term strategy towards an ultimate vision. For
Hitler, he emphasized the greatness of Germany and how he wanted it to become
the strongest country in the world. Following the initial vision,
charismatic leaders will present a “vision statement” in which the leader
presents the main ways of attaining the vision. Hitler’s main messages to
his followers were German greatness, the Aryan Race, and ridding Germany of
Jews. The third step for charismatic leaders is to convey the new set of
values through actions, and set an example for the followers. Hitler did this
by building up Germany’s military divisions, preaching about the pureness of
the Aryan race, and setting up concentration camps. Finally, charismatic
leaders induce emotions from their followers in an attempt to connect with them
on a personal basis. When Hitler came to power, Germany was still
recovering from the devastation of World War I. He was able to play into
the emotions of the demoralized German citizens, and he gave the German people
a rallying point.
The emotions and passion in which he
spoke was extreme, but he engaged his audience, and they fed off his
energy. When he spoke, people would listen, and they wanted to believe
what he was saying. Even though no one in our group knows what he is
saying in the video, it is clear to see how articulate and passionate he
was. Throughout the YouTube video, he used movement, projection, and
intensity to rally the crowd behind him. Although Hitler was very
effective in uniting Germany, he abused his power, and did not look out for
Germany’s best interest. He used his power to accomplish his own
interests and needs. His success in using his charisma led to the
atrocities that occurred in World War II. It should be noted that with
charisma, there can be negative effects which clearly occurred with
Hitler. Hitler’s idea were not ethical nor in the best interest for
Germany, but he was a very effective leader in uniting his people towards a
common vision by playing to their emotions. Hitler is a prime example of
how influential charismatic leaders can be, even when the mission is
unethical. Charisma can be a dangerous tool, and companies should be
careful when dealing with charismatic types; however, when used effectively and
ethically, charismatic leaders can be very effective.
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan is one example of a
charismatic leader. Charisma is defined as “a certain quality of an
individual personality, by virtue of which he or she is set apart from ordinary
people and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least
specifically exceptional powers or qualities.” This quality enhances
one’s ability to lead. Robert House studied it in leaders and came up
with the charismatic leadership theory. This theory states that followers
attribute heroic or extraordinary leadership abilities when they observe
certain behaviors. Leaders with charisma exhibit certain characteristics
including having a vision, personal risk, sensitivity to follower needs, and
unconventional behavior.
Ronald Reagan used humor and wit to
engage the American population and garner their trust and respect. This
approach differs from some other people in positions of authority who tend to
be more serious. Reagan also had a vision for the country. In his
first presidential race against Jimmy Carter he asked people if they were
better off than they were four years prior. With the struggles facing the
country at that time, he was able to set himself apart from the establishment
currently in power and provide solutions for how to deal with problems ranging
from foreign policy to rampant inflation.
President Reagan also took personal
risks in dealing with the Soviet Union. Implementing strong foreign
policy against the “evil empire” was certainly risky in terms of possible military
conflict; however, it was necessary in order to bring a long-term solution to
the disputes between the two nations. Eventually, Reagan was able to end
the Cold War without military conflict.
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