On Fire: Charismatic Leadership and Levels of Analysis

Charisma is a fire that ignites followers’ energy, commitment, and performance. Charisma resides not in a leader, nor in a follower, but in the relationship between a leader who has charismatic qualities and a follower who is open to charisma, within a charisma-conducive environment. When a leader shares charismatic relationships with all of his or her subordinates, charisma is homogeneous-a raging tire. When a leader shares charismatic relationships with one or a limited number of his or her subordinates, charisma is not homogeneous but variable-pockets of fire. We explore the determinants and consequences of the extent of homogeneity of charisma within a group of followers, discuss the practical implications of our theoretical propositions, and pose new questions for research.