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Leader Motives, Impression Management, and Charisma

Author

Listed:
  • Tanvi Shah

    (Tanvi Shah is Employer Brand Manager at Hindustan Unilever Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: tanvi.shah@unilever.com)

  • Zubin R. Mulla

    (Zubin R. Mulla (Corresponding author) is Assistant Professor at School of Management and Labour Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: zubinmulla@yahoo.co.in)

Abstract

Charisma is an essential part of transformational leadership; however, there are hardly any reliable ways of predicting leader charisma in an organizational context. Using a qualitative-descriptive study of two leaders—Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, we compare their charisma and impression management styles. Through a content analysis of their public speeches, we determine their motives. We find evidence to validate our proposition that a high power motive and acquisitive impression management techniques are related to charisma. Specifically we characterize Steve Jobs as a personal-power manager and Bill Gates as an achievement oriented manager. Implications for practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tanvi Shah & Zubin R. Mulla, 2013. "Leader Motives, Impression Management, and Charisma," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 38(3), pages 155-184, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:manlab:v:38:y:2013:i:3:p:155-184
    DOI: 10.1177/0258042X13509736
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tuvana Cüre & Emel Esen & Arzu Özsözgün Çalışkan, 2020. "Impression Management in Graphical Representation of Economic, Social, and Environmental Issues: An Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, January.

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