Charismatic Leaders: Introduction to New Religions Introduction Charisma is a Greek word meaning “gift understood as bestowed as a divine source”. Charisma benefits both the leader as well as the followers. Charisma can be seen as a path by uncultivated men or women to gain a religious career. Charisma can also be seen as a path in which a leader either destroys or develops the society. Charisma is one of three legitimization strategies used by religions.Charismatic leaders are those who often form the basis of new religions.This essay will delve more into what charismatic leaders and how they construct their charisma, maintain and distribute in new religions and alternative spiritualities. The pioneering sociologist Max Weber defines charisma 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 spiritual, superhuman or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These are such as are not accessible to the ordinary person but are regarded as of divine origin or as exemplary and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader” ( Weber inWessinger 2012, 81). On the other hand Followers are regarded as the strength of a charismatic leader.Followers help to maintain and distribute the teachings taught by their leader. However, all charismatic leaders do not pursue the same kind of powers or skills. Typology Charismatic leaders due to their divine gifts
realized his leadership role and responsibilities for a cause greater than that of his single person. The chapter repeatedly mentioned how he had no intention of becoming a prominent leader after his testimony. However, his message and delivery was so powerful and inspirational that he converted his audience to his followers/supporters. I think this clearly shows how people willingly choose their leaders and decide who to follow. I believe a leader’s initial impression or leadership potential/qualities attract the attention of followers, then the followers are the ones who give leaders their influential
Becoming an excellent leader proves to be more difficult than it sounds. Achieving what would be considered, “exemplary leadership,” takes time. One man from Genesis 37 of the Bible, Joseph, shows three great examples of what a leader should look like. Another fictional man, Telemachus, from The Odyssey, shows similar qualities during his own life. Joseph’s leadership is built upon his character, commitment, and competence, and these same three qualities are seen in Telemachus.
The term charisma alludes to an uncommon force, and Weber characterized it accordingly: "The expression "magnetism" will be connected to a specific nature of an individual identity by excellence of which he is viewed as phenomenal and regarded as blessed with extraordinary, superhuman, or possibly particularly outstanding forces or qualities. These are, for example, are not open to the common individual, but rather are viewed as of heavenly cause or as exemplary. "Charisma can deliver awesome great or extraordinary wickedness—both Hitler and Ghandi were alluring pioneers. Such persons have exceptionally affected history, yet shockingly numerous basic human science messages rapidly skirt allure. Indeed, even whole books have been given to it, however as I appear, sociologists quietly abstain from going up against its full
Week two talks about leadership qualities. Leadership is how an individual influences another individual or groups to achieve a common purpose. For a leader to achieve its set purpose or vision towards individual, organization, or a group, influence is the aim. Influence, therefore is the ability to direct or indirect manipulation to get others to act or respond in accordance to a leader’s want or desires. When a leader leads, the leader will often times have the people he or she is leading conform to his or her ways of doing things or at least agrees with the leader, which in this case regard as being obedience.
Charisma is “a special gift that certain individuals possess that gives them the capacity to do extraordinary things.” (Pg. 164
While followership has the characteristics of organization, understanding and making decisions. “Followership is a conscious act of free will” (2) (B112-R.a.) The willingness to follow a leader through types of different behaviors.
Winston Churchill was born into a society and country of greatness. His family, the Dukes of Marlborough, was of the elite class of the superior London. With his surroundings having such high standards, his father, Lord Randolph Churchill expected greatness from him; however, he struggled to achieve this as a child. School and academics did not come easy for the boy (Best 6). The struggle pushed him to be creative and think outside of the box, something that aided and distinguished him throughout all of his life.
This is evident in Jim Jones as he convinced a mass number of people to drink poison and end their life. A charismatic leader has the ability to highly influence their followers as they are thought to be a God-like figure. In addition, Dawson (2006:19) mentions that charismatic leaders take part in the process of impression management which involves, framing, scripting, staging and performing. I believe these four aspects of impression management is highly important and influential as it allows followers to be put into a context in which the charismatic leader is
Following a leader is a decision that many people face at various points in their lives. Whether it is a decision to join a political movement, support a sports team, or follow a religious figure; people are often drawn to leaders who can inspire and motivate them. Additionally, the leader's personal qualities, such as charisma and confidence, can also play a role in their ability to attract followers. A strong leader can inspire and motivate people to achieve a common goal, and can also provide a sense of security and stability. The rulers of Oedipus, the King, Antigone, and Constantinople all demonstrate the strengths a ruler must possess for his people to follow them.
Charismatic Leadership Author Name University name The word "charisma" comes from the Greek language (χάρισμα (khárisma)) and means “favor freely given.” It goes back to the word “Graces” or “Charites” (Χάριτες), which in Greek mythology was the name for three goddesses of beauty and grace. Even in ancient Greece people with charismatic qualities, were considered as favored by the gods who helped their chosen ones to achieve extraordinary success. Charisma is the magnetic force emitted by the person, the art of fascinating the others.
Leaders have followers who in turn become leaders when others are
Mahatma Ghandi is an example of a leader with charisma. He is known for his non-violent protests and selflessness to promote peace in our
Authentic leaders have a positive impact on followers, groups, and organization (Yaacoub, 2016). These leaders can be motivating on one hand and change to another style depending on the condition. Both leadership styles look for ways to partner with people, groups or organization. Servant uses measures to a leaders effectiveness (Reed, Vidaver-Cohet & Colwell, 2011).
Power is define to motivation to the follows. The nature of the followers’motivation is to share the same goals and values of leader (). The leader power is uses to reward to get the work done or complete the task/goal. Power is the ability to influence others to attain a goal or engage in a selected behavior. The power of leadership breaks down into coercive, reward, legitimate, expert, and referent.
Charismatic can be learnt. Uncle Lim had the ability to bring the people together. The people willingly did everything for him and followed him where he shared it in his book, “If you build a successful business and organization, always believe that the most valuable asset of a company is its people. It is the people that make up the organization. It is the people that run the organization.