Leadership theory wrestles with celebrating influence without endorsing tyranny.

Evidence

Bearing in mind the issues raised by this literature, those interested in matters of leadership face a series of moral and intellectual dilemmas (Reicher & Haslam, in press-b). Can we celebrate effective leadership without running the risk of promoting tyranny? Must the agency of leaders necessarily be opposed to that of followers? Can we explain how leaders are able to transform people’s thinking and behavior without denying the ability of people to think for themselves? — Stephen Reicher, S. Alexander Haslam, and Nick Hopkins, Social identity and the dynamics of…, 20

Categorization

• XREF: Directly frames the reader’s purpose: whether leaders who embody shared identity make their framing feel descriptive rather than assertive — ‘denying the ability of people to think for themselves’ is precisely the accusation being tested. — connects to: Political leadership can be exercised by a replaceable inner group, not one person; Charisma is conferred on leaders by followers rather than held as a trait — Stephen Reicher, S. Alexander Haslam, and Nick Hopkins, Social identity and the dynamics of…, 33; Leadership is impossible without a pre-existing or manufactured shared social identity — Stephen Reicher, S. Alexander Haslam, and Nick Hopkins, Social identity and the dynamics of…, 50 (+5 more)
• QUESTION: The third dilemma — how leaders transform thinking without denying followers’ capacity — is the empirical crux the reader wants the literature to answer.

Broader Connections

• Charisma is conferred on leaders by followers rather than held as a trait #corroborates (0.88) — Stephen Reicher, S. Alexander Haslam, and Nick Hopkins, Social identity and the dynamics of…, 33
• The modern leader image is a collective self-projection, not a father figure #corroborates (0.85)
• Leaders gain support by favoring ingroup members over even-handedness #complicates (0.80) — Stephen Reicher, S. Alexander Haslam, and Nick Hopkins, Social identity and the dynamics of…, 49
• Leadership acts on followers through collective group norms, not just individual exchange #expands (0.80) — Stephen Reicher, S. Alexander Haslam, and Nick Hopkins, Social identity and the dynamics of…, 34
• The Leader’s power becomes structural necessity rather than personal superiority #complicates (0.79)
• Political leadership can be exercised by a replaceable inner group, not one person #expands (0.78)
• Authority, reputation, and leadership are generalized motives for accepting influence #expands (0.77)
• Leadership is impossible without a pre-existing or manufactured shared social identity #expands (0.76) — Stephen Reicher, S. Alexander Haslam, and Nick Hopkins, Social identity and the dynamics of…, 50