Can Too Much Charisma Make a Leader Ineffective? Research Says Yes.

Charisma is often celebrated as one of the defining traits of great leaders. We associate it with confidence, inspiration, and the ability to rally people toward a common goal. But can a leader have too much of a good thing? Surprisingly, research says yes.

A series of studies published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in the summer of 2018 revealed a counterintuitive truth: excessive charisma can actually make leaders less effective. While charisma is valuable—up to a point—leaders who rely on it too heavily may struggle with authenticity, collaboration, or strategic decision-making.

These findings sparked widespread discussion in the leadership community, including among the team at Odyssey Teams. As a respected voice in leadership development and experiential learning, Lain Hensley, Odyssey Teams' co-founder and COO, was invited by The Economist Online to weigh in on the results.

His perspective was simple, grounded, and wise: “The power of charisma is to know when and how to use it and with whom.”

This insight captures the heart of effective leadership—charisma is a tool, not an identity.

Let’s take a closer look at what the research found, why overly charismatic leaders struggle, and what leaders can do to stay effective, balanced, and grounded.

---

The Research: When Charisma Stops Helping and Starts Hurting

The conclusions came from three interrelated studies involving:

• 800 business leaders across various managerial roles

• 7,500 peers, superiors, and subordinates who evaluated those leaders

The results were consistent across the board:

Moderate charisma = most effective leaders

Charisma gives leaders presence, energy, and the ability to motivate. Up to a certain point, it strengthens trust, engagement, and communication.

Excessive charisma = drop in effectiveness

Leaders who scored extremely high in charisma received lower effectiveness ratings from everyone around them—supervisors, colleagues, and direct reports.

Why?
Because people tend to perceive overly charismatic leaders as:

• Inauthentic

• Self-promotional

• Unwilling to share the spotlight

• More focused on inspiration than execution

• Less grounded in data or discipline

The research showed that, like any strength taken to an extreme, charisma can become a liability.

---

Why Too Much Charisma Can Derail Leadership

Charisma is powerful—but power must be balanced with responsibility and self-awareness. Here’s why excessive charisma can backfire:

1. It can overshadow authenticity.

When leaders are always “on”—always upbeat, always inspiring—people can begin to question whether the positivity is real. This can erode trust and credibility over time.

2. It can unintentionally diminish others.

Highly charismatic leaders often attract attention naturally. But when the spotlight stays on one person too long, team members may feel undervalued or invisible.

3. It can pull focus away from strategy and toward style.

Inspiration is important, but leadership also requires follow-through, planning, and discipline. Overly charismatic leaders sometimes emphasize vision at the expense of execution.

4. It can create dependency.

Teams may begin to rely on the leader for motivation, rather than cultivating internal drive and shared accountability.

---

Lain Hensley’s Three Tips for Overly Charismatic Leaders

Given the research findings, The Economist Online asked Odyssey Teams’ own Lain Hensley to share practical advice for leaders with charismatic personalities. His insights offer a roadmap for turning charisma into a balanced, sustainable leadership tool.

1. Show your full emotional range.

People can become skeptical if they only ever see positivity.
Lain recommends letting others see you on the days you’re tired, uncertain, or stressed—because authenticity builds trust. Leaders who allow others to lift them from time to time create healthier, more reciprocal relationships.

2. Share the spotlight intentionally.

Charismatic leaders often find themselves center stage without trying.
Lain advises stepping aside regularly and letting others present, lead, or receive recognition. Shifting attention to colleagues not only empowers them—it strengthens the entire culture.

3. Remember that charisma is a superpower. Use it responsibly.

Lain reminds leaders of the famous line: “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Charisma influences people quickly and deeply. A great leader uses that influence with care, ensuring that decisions, messages, and energy serve the greater good of the organization, not personal ego.

---

Putting the Research Into Action

Understanding charisma’s double-edged nature gives leaders a valuable opportunity for reflection:

• Where does your charisma help?

• Where might it overshadow or dominate?

• How well do you balance inspiration with execution?

• Do people experience you as authentic—or always “on”?

The most effective leaders aren’t the most charismatic—they’re the most self-aware. They understand their strengths, manage their blind spots, and surround themselves with people who complement them.

---

Want More Leadership Wisdom?

Lain has spent decades working with teams, leaders, and organizations around the world. His stories, insights, and tools surface in every Odyssey Teams program—from small executive retreats to large-scale immersive team building events.

If you’d like to learn more about:

• Leadership development

• Purpose-driven team building

• Philanthropic experiences like Helping Hands or Life Cycles

• Or how to strengthen your culture through meaningful action

We’d love to talk.

📩 learn@odysseyteams.com

📞 800-342-1650