Big business personalities and famous CEOs distinguish themselves from others by their magnetism and ability to distort reality, Mr. Wooldridge said. However, collapses of high-profile business leaders such as WeWork’s Adam Neumann and Theranos’ Elizabeth Holmes have cast doubt on the value of such traits in positions of power.
That said, Mr. Wooldridge wrote that charismatic leaders will not disappear. This is in part because of the ongoing technological revolution, inviting such personalities. Elon Musk’s erratic behavior, for example, often is excused given his success at Tesla and SpaceX.
Mr. Wooldridge said innovation and creating meaning during times of disruption are more important for leaders to prioritize than simply maintaining the status quo. He also wrote that charismatic leaders can convince the best talent to join their organizations by creating charming narratives.
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