Obama or McCain: Charismatic or Traditional Leadership
Edward Brown from the Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute shared a very interesting comment on 8 Steps to Charismatic Leadership that gave me pause, and made me realize I needed to share it with you:
There appears to be two dominant leadership models on the current world stage, Charismatic Leadership (often described as arousing the emotions of the populous through imagery and poetic prose) and Traditional Leadership (Often described as operations-centric and unilateral while courting consensus building). Interesting enough, both forms are effective, but only under specific social-economic conditions.
During times of uncertainty and upheaval, Charismatic Leadership is effective at restoring hope and productivity. Once the crisis has abated, Traditional Leadership is effective for stabilizing operations and maintaining a steady course until another shake up emerges. The important dynamic essential for the two models to be effective is the competency of the Charismatic and Traditional Leader.
The two models represent a particular philosophy as well as direction, which require scholarship and experience. The U.S.’s current tumultuous conditions favor the Charismatic Model. But, the Charismatic Model steeped with experience as much as style.
How this might affect our upcoming election?
In the Charismatic camp is Barack Obama. He is an amazing orator, and stirs my emotions greatly when he speaks. Senator Obama’s campaign commercials are filled with vivid imagery, and he tugs at my heart strings with many of the ways he paints our country and what he plans to do with the office of president should he win.
In the Traditional camp is John McCain. Senator McCain is a little rougher around the edges, but he is more of a traditional leader, having spent time in the military, and as a POW. He’s the one who has spent time in the Senate (okay, spent a LONG time in the Senate) and understands the inner workings of the political machine that is Washington DC.
I really have no clue who will prevail this year, but based on only this singular piece of information, I predict John McCain will win.
Questions for Managers to think about for Charismatic or Traditional Leadership:
- If you’re a manager, do you know which style you are?
- Which style is your manager?
- Which style do you prefer?
- Does it really matter to you?
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POSTED IN: Phil Gerbyshak, leadership
13 opinions for Obama or McCain: Charismatic or Traditional Leadership
csbmonkney
Oct 8, 2008 at 6:34 am
Do not discount an overall feeling, though, that “traditional leader” kind of got us into a mess.
My interpretation is that McCain is “folksy” in his leadership styles and Obama is more contemporary and is a “delegationist” in his leadership style (it’s not a word, I just made it up, but mainly meaning someone that delegates when necessary). By “folksy” I guess I mean that McCain starts with an opinion and then works from that as the facts come in.
CK
Oct 8, 2008 at 10:10 am
Charismatic leadership is the type that “gets things going” or hopping! They inspire and motivate people to go beyond their confort zone.
Given the trying times we are currently in, it is my belief that we need someong who is “charismatic” as well as visionary!
Change is also needed - and it’s not going to be confortable!
“If you don’t like change, you’ll going to like irrelevance even less.” – General Eric Shinseki, Chief of Staff, US Army
Mary
Oct 8, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I’ve worked for both Charismatic and Traditional leaders and found the Charismatic leader to be the type that “gets things going” but then doesn’t know what to do with it. They inspire by telling people what they want to hear, not necessarily what they need to hear or how it really is.
Granted change is needed. But change just for the sake of change does not mean better. We live in the greatest country in the world with the greatest of opportunities. People from other countries do everything they can to come here. People who had no hope in their own countries find a chance here to become somebody.
Please think real hard about why you’re voting the way you are. If it’s just to “change” things from the way it’s been - they way you’ve always known it - or to make history, you may find yourself and this country in total chaos and at the mercy of other than your charismatic leader.
Miki
Oct 8, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Much as I like you, Phil, I have to say that I not only disagree I hope with all my power that you are wrong next month.
Bob
Oct 8, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Charisma is fine if it is backed up by substance. Obama on the surface does give people hope. I do disagree that traditional leadership got us into the trouble we are in today.
George Bush isn’t what got us into the trouble we are in today. Greed is what got us into this mess. CEO’s that run companies into the ground and walk out with millions and millions of dollars. Politicians who had the bright idea to lend money to people who couldn’t afford to pay it back aren’t much better.
Heaven help us if we get a leader who says we will sit down to tea and talk with our enemies.
I wonder if Harry Truman is turning over in his grave now wondering what has happened to the Democrat party.
Българският "Уорън Бъфет", кризи и банкови продукти: 09.10.2008
Oct 9, 2008 at 4:57 am
[…] Сравнение между Обама и Маккейн: Харизматично срещу Традиционно лидерство. […]
csbmonkney
Oct 9, 2008 at 7:05 am
“Heaven help us if we get a leader who says we will sit down to tea and talk with our enemies.”
When I read this, though, what I think about is Apple during its darkest days going to Microsoft and requesting assistance both financial and through application development. What seems like a paltry $150 million now to Apple was very necessary the time. Apple’s current success is largely dependent on the fact that Steve Jobs wasn’t afraid to move forward in talking to his “enemies”. Never underestimate the power of diplomacy over the rhetoric of angry attack. We need only look at Balmer’s angry rhetoric against Google and how successful they have been in their head on confrontational style actually producing a successful strategy to take on Google.
If you need an example of charismatic leadership also being great leadership leading to a successful outcome, then we need only pull Apple up once again. We all know (or should all know) from a variety of sources that Jobs is both charismatic and tough and those that think those are mutually exclusive are not paying attention (I would also point to Warren Buffet as well as a charismatic visionary who has been incredibly successful).
As we watch traditionally managed companies drag their heels and lose market share in their fields (auto industry anyone?) and in some cases implode and shatter (the US financial industry) we should wonder if “traditional” management is what pushes us through to news stages of innovation and success.
Leadership: the Magician or the Warrior
Oct 10, 2008 at 6:02 am
[…] Phil Gerbyshak over at Slacker Manager shared his application of Edward Brown’s description of the two dominant leadership models, […]
CK
Oct 10, 2008 at 8:04 am
A great leader will surround him/herself with people who are willing to disagree with him/her while a poor leader will surround him/herself with ‘yes’ men and women.
Case and point - Bush values loyalty above all else. Translation: “Yes-men” and women!
Dr. K
Oct 11, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I’m a bit confused, Phil. YOu say that in times of turmoil, people turn to the charismatic leader. Yet you say based on this that you predict McCain to win. Did I mention I’m confused?
As a speaker and writer on influence and persuasion, I won’t argue that Obama has a rhetorical gift, particularly with prepared speeches.
But the characteristics I like most about him are that he incredibly calm under pressure (a cool hand at the tiller, as McCain said in the last debate, only referencing himself as he made the case in his rough and unsteady way) and his ability to think on his feet. I think America’s vote will be based less on charisma and tradition, and more on having a smart guy in charge for a change. We’ve already seen what a dummy can do.
best,
Rick
Phil Gerbyshak
Oct 12, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Very interesting comments here, and so much to think about from all of you.
I am really not sure who I want to win. What I really WANT to happen is for a leader to emerge who gets the global economic markets and who can lead us out of the mess we are in.
Rick - Maybe I am confused by this whole mess too, so my “endorsement” of Senator McCain is even less relevant than I first thought. I don’t know where we are either right now, and the lack of confidence concerns me too. If I had answers, or alternatives, I surely would offer them.
Dr. K
Oct 12, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Heh. Things are a mess. I don’t know why anyone would want that job. But I do know this. Labels of traditional and charismatic aside, there are three things I want from a leader. Someone who can hold the focus for us, remind us of who we are and what we can do, someone who can keep it meaningful for us, by connecting lofty rhetoric with specific actions grounded in reality, and someone who can conduct himself in a way that makes me proud to support his (or her) leadership.
And on this last point, McCain is a total let down. His campaign has been a mess from start to finish. He has engaged in doublespeak of the worst sort, appealing to the lowest passions instead of our higher ideals. He’s not offered us a better future, just vague promises about knowing how to handle our challenges, and a V.P. candidate whose lack of insight and wisdom is shocking relative to the challenges we face as a nation and in the community of nations.
Add it all up, and I think its obvious that America is taking a character test right now, it’s pass/fail, and the price of failure could be huge. I’m no democrat, and I’m no fan of big government. But I am a fan of intelligence and competence, and if Obama runs the country as well as he’s run his campaign, we’ll be in good hands and well served as we try to dig our way out of the hole our ignorance and foolishness has put us in.
best wishes,
Rick
Phil Gerbyshak
Oct 12, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Good points Rick, and a big IF. I hope your wishes come true. That’d be AWESOME!
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