Strategies of a Charismatic Leader

A charismatic leader is one whose personality and political way of life persuades the people of his/her country to listen to him/her. Charismatic leaders include Ghandi, Nasser, Nkrumah, Quaddafi, Castro, Sukamo, Hussein, Tito, Mao, and George Bush. All of these leaders have a quality about them that makes people listen to them and take directions. The five strategies charismatic leaders use to reinforce their charisma are: 1) the "VIP" strategy, 2) the regional liberation strategy, 3) the development strategy, 4) the conspicuous-process of strategy, and 5) the elimination of "Competing-Prophets" strategy.

The "VIP" strategy is where a charismatic leader will use his/her name recognition, status, power, and position to persuade the people to listen to him/her. For example, followers of Ghandi may be persuaded to burn down houses in a village simply because of Ghandi's famousness. They know that he is a great leader and a "VIP" so they will do anything he tells them to do.

The regional liberation strategy is when a charismatic leader will promise the people that he/she will "set them free" from colonial rule or dictatorship. Followers believe this and they desperately want freedom, so they listen to him/her. An example of this is Ghandi freeing his people from India's dictator. This movement gave him more charisma.

The development strategy is when a charismatic leader tells his/her people that if they listen to him/her then once elected/or followed he/she will "develop" the country (economically, infrastructure-wise, or politically). An example of this would be if a politician told the citizens of New York City that he would build a Disney World in the city if they elected him as their next mayor.

The conspicuous process strategy is when the charismatic leader makes it obvious to his/her people what he/she is about. They let everyone know how they feel about issues and what their political agenda is based on. An example of this is President George Bush making speeches, commercials, and campaigning before the election in 2004 because he hoped to be re-elected. This strategy is effective because voters know what the leader is like when they support him (or vote for him).

The Elimination of Competing-Prophets Strategy is when a charismatic leader gets rid of other people who give him/her a bad name or reputation or who try to hurt his/her political leadership. An example of this would be Fidel Castro having JFK killed because he tried to intervene in the Cuban people's freedom. This strategy is effective because if there is no bad image of a charismatic leader out in the public, then everyone will believe he/she is the best leader.

Charismatic leaders in the third world and in the U.S. use five strategies to reinforce his/her charisma. These include 1) the "VIP" strategy, 2) the regional liberation strategy, 3) the development strategy, 4) the conspicuous-process of strategy, and 5) the Elimination of Competing-Prophets strategy. All of these strategies help a charismatic leader gain and keep his/her charisma and keep the support of his/her followers. Can you tell which strategy your leader is using?