There are trait theory, behavioral theory, and contingency theory models of leadership. Many theories of leadership are transactional in nature, representing leaders who steer or motivate employees toward established goals through task and role requirement clarification. However, there is another kind of leader who ôinspires followers to transcend their own self-interests for the goal of the organization and who is capable of having a profound and extraordinary effect on his or her followersö (Robbins, 2003, 141). This type of leader is known as a transformational as opposed to transactional leader. Another name for this type of leader is charismatic. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Winston Churchill are symbolic of charismatic leaders.
Prior to September 11, 2001, New York City Mayor Richard Giuliani had experienced nearly two full terms as the leader of the worldÆs most famous city. His first term had been an enormous success, with reductions in violent crime, increased property values, and widespread redevelopment. His second term proved problematic, with his promises for education falling short, his highly public and acrimonious divorce, notorious incidents of police brutality, and his withdrawal from a race for Senator against former First Lady Hillary Clinton. Just four months short of the end of his tenure as Mayor, GiulianiÆs popularity rating was at an all-time low and most of New York, especially minorities, were anxious to see him fade into the sunset.
All of this changed on September 11, 2001, and the events that unfolded during GiulianiÆs final months in office. His charismatic and inspirational leadership during the aftermath of the worst terrorist attacks on domestic soil resulted in his being named Man of the Year by Time magazine and his honorary knighthood by the Queen of England. Robbins (et al. 2003) maintains that there are five attributes of charismatic leaders that appear most si...