<p>An overly-charismatic leader draws focus from the rest of the organization by demanding all the attention. <b>When the focus shifts to the personal characteristics of the leader, accountability is diminished.</b></p><p>The followers can become overly dependent on the leader for all manner of large and small directions and decisions. The enterprise loses the ability to be resilient in the face of changing realities. </p>

Becoming addicted to a charismatic leader

<p>If you feel like you're influencing others for the wrong reasons, ask:</p><ul><li><i>How am I drawing attention to myself, and away from others?</i></li><li><i>What is the organization missing while it’s focusing on me?</i></li><li><i>If my company relies on me too much, what happens if I need a break, or become ill, or want to do something different?</i></li><li><i>What do I do when I don’t know what to do and have not built up others to contribute?</i></li><li><i>What do I do when all my old tricks of charisma or being “smart” don’t suit some future challenge?</i></li><li><i>What happens if my moral compass becomes shaky, or if I did not develop one before becoming the charismatic leader everyone adores?</i></li><li><i>If I have created this reliance on me, who will help me recognize this and change?</i></li></ul>

Influencing for the wrong reasons

<p>A leader who employs too much charisma can come to rely on this ability as an end unto itself.  <b>Charismatic leaders can charm themselves. </b></p><p>Authentic leaders understand (and continually calibrate) the influence and authority they have by virtue of their position and personal attributes.</p>

Addicted to charisma

<div><p>... leaders must ask themselves:</p></div><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><ul>
<li><i>Do I spend my time empowering others to make decisions, or does my involvement force people to look to me for answers?</i></li>
<li><i>How often do I dive into details that belong to others?</i></li>
<li><i>How do my actions and attention help – or prevent – others from taking greater responsibility and accountability for their actions?</i></li></ul></div>

To avoid organizational dependency

<p>Organizations with big visions are led by people who display significant charisma in order to keep the vision moving forward. </p><p><b>The leader must supply more charisma to keep the dynamic humming; the need shifts to growing charisma, not the organization’s ability to grow itself. </b><br></p>

Charisma without purpose

Very few leadership attributes have as dangerous a downside as charisma. This is largely true because the outward signs of good charisma and bad charisma are similar. Here are three broad categories of dangerous charisma, and how to avoid them in your personal leadership. 1.