Charasmatic Leaders
Preamble
Jim Jones was an aspiring leader that promised his followers they could live together in serenity in spite of their differences like race or sex. He promised them a perfect life and his goal was to create that life through Jonestown. His outcome, however, was the mass suicide of over 900 people, including children. In this paper, I will explain how Jim Jones qualifies as a charismatic leader, his aspirations, how he promised his followers deliverance of his goal, and the effect of his preaching.
Charismatic Leadership
Before I can explain how Jim Jones qualifies as a charismatic leader, I must first discuss what charismatic leadership is. Max Weber defines charismatic leadership as “gifted, inspired, from a leader who pursues a vision which attracts followers to identify with him, to emulate him” (2004). One who arouses people to act on a vision or belief is a charismatic leader. There are three main elements to being a charismatic leader. The first element is crisis situations. According to Amy Toburin, “Charismatic leadership usually emerges in a crisis situation, because in a crisis people are more likely to look toward a person who appears capable of bringing them through” (2004). One prime example of a charismatic leader that emerged from a crisis situation is former New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani. A professor of psychology, by the name of Friedman, describes personal charisma as “a certain appeal, allure, or presence. When charismatic people enter a room, they draw attention and may enliven the whole gathering” (2004).
Body language and non-verbal communication may radiate self-confidence in many of these individuals. This leads us into the second element of charismatic leadership, appearance. Appearance is an important element of charisma to many followers. A well dressed and good-looking candidate will receive more votes than a candidate that appears sloppy or is not pleasing to the eye. Be honest, if you had to choose between a
Jim Jones was an aspiring leader that promised his followers they could live together in serenity in spite of their differences like race or sex. He promised them a perfect life and his goal was to create that life through Jonestown. His outcome, however, was the mass suicide of over 900 people, including children. In this paper, I will explain how Jim Jones qualifies as a charismatic leader, his aspirations, how he promised his followers deliverance of his goal, and the effect of his preaching.
Charismatic Leadership
Before I can explain how Jim Jones qualifies as a charismatic leader, I must first discuss what charismatic leadership is. Max Weber defines charismatic leadership as “gifted, inspired, from a leader who pursues a vision which attracts followers to identify with him, to emulate him” (2004). One who arouses people to act on a vision or belief is a charismatic leader. There are three main elements to being a charismatic leader. The first element is crisis situations. According to Amy Toburin, “Charismatic leadership usually emerges in a crisis situation, because in a crisis people are more likely to look toward a person who appears capable of bringing them through” (2004). One prime example of a charismatic leader that emerged from a crisis situation is former New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani. A professor of psychology, by the name of Friedman, describes personal charisma as “a certain appeal, allure, or presence. When charismatic people enter a room, they draw attention and may enliven the whole gathering” (2004).
Body language and non-verbal communication may radiate self-confidence in many of these individuals. This leads us into the second element of charismatic leadership, appearance. Appearance is an important element of charisma to many followers. A well dressed and good-looking candidate will receive more votes than a candidate that appears sloppy or is not pleasing to the eye. Be honest, if you had to choose between a
Cited: The People’s Temple, Led by James Warren (Jim) Jones. (1996-2006). Retrieved November 10, 2006 from the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance November 19, 2006 from Alternative Considerations of Jonestown and Peoples Temple Web site: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~remoore/jonestown/ Jones, J. (1978). Jonestown ‘death tape’. Retrieved November, 25 2006 from You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_0ZhrZhDr0&mode=related&search= Lewis, M. (2003). Jones disciple recovers from, recalls painful past. Seattle Post-