Psychology of management

2.2Concepts of charismatic leadership 
A special and quite modern group of leadership concepts adjoining the theory of traits are 
the concepts of charismatic leadership. They stem to the works by M. Weber and are 
represented, in particular, by such modern authors as V.M. Bass, B. Shamir, R,J. Hose, M. 
Arthur, et al. 
The charismatic leadership concepts proceed from the fact that an ideal employee 
corresponds to the personality of the leader, serves as the leader’s reflection capable of 
influencing his/her values transformation. As the manifestation of such an ideal employee act the 
belief in the leader, reverence for the leading personality, as well as enticement to action and 
inspiration experiences from its influence. The executive’s motivating influence is accomplished 
through the mechanisms of imitation, accepting his/her values and behavior by group members 
as an example, ascribing charisma to him/her. Only the select few possess the capability of 
influencing and changing other people’s values. 
Some authors of charismatic leadership concepts (B. Shamir, R.J. Hose, M.B. Arthur) 
consider leadership not so much as dualistic i.e. as one person’s influencing another, as a 
collective process. In its base lays the employees’ disposition to identify themselves with the 
group and highly appreciate their belonging to it. A charismatic leader increases such social 
identification by uniting corresponding ideas and values of every follower with group values and 
collective identity. The clearly expressed group identification means that a group member places 
group needs higher than individual interests and is even ready to sacrifice the latter if necessary. 
This, in its turn, strengthens collective values and norms of behavior. 
The decisive in leader’s character is the ability to influence the followers’ seeing, 
perception of reality, and their values. Such leaders can even instill in group members new 
values; but nevertheless they usually emphasize special significance of each employee’s 
individual values and try to link them with group tasks. For effective influencing leaders must 
know well and respect the needs, values, and identities of the followers. Only in this case can 
they count on group members’ trust, charisma shaping, and a high group identification. A 
leader’s charisma is strengthened by personal keenness on collective’s aims, readiness to risk for 
the sake of achieving them, self-identification with them and the group. 
Charismatic leaders emphasize in every possible way the symbolic character of labor 
activity, its moral aspects. Thanks to this, the employees’ input in realizing organizational aims 

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gets inner moral motivation: the followers link their work and role in the group with self-esteem 
and personal dignity.