ABSTRACT
Meindl (1993) highlighted the importance of “balancing” the leadership equation by placing equivalent weight on followers’ perspectives. Building upon his legacy, we review research on “follower-centric perspectives” to deepen our understanding of the charismatic leadership relationship. We define charisma as a relational phenomenon, which develops first in the eyes of followers and subsequently spreads through inter-follower dynamics. Adopting Doise’s multilevel framework (i.e. intrapersonal, relational/situational, intergroup, and ideological) highlights different plausible views of leader-follower interactions and helps to clarify when and how charisma is more likely to emerge in the eyes of followers. We conclude with recommendations for future research.
