Charismatic vs. Transformational leadership training: Experimental evidence using women leaders

We conducted an experiment wherein we assigned women (n = 40, mean age = 35 years) either to a charismatic or transformational leadership training. After the interventions, we placed participants into leaderless problem-solving teams; the nature of the tasks were such that they required extensive interaction as well as coordination. Participants then rated each of their team members on a leadership prototypicality measure. Controlling for individual level differences (i.e., Big 5, IQ, self-efficacy), results indicated that, participants who received charismatic training scored higher on leader prototypicality as compared to transformational leadership training (standardized β = .40). Furthermore, this effect was fully mediated by knowledge of charismatic leadership tactics (standardized indirect β = .34). We also found that general intelligence (standardized β = .37) and extraversion (standardized β = .53) strongly predicted emergence. We discuss the importance and practical implications of these results with respect to addressing the gender imbalance in leadership roles.