Fantasy Proneness and Responsiveness in Leaders: The Impact of Charismatic and Pragmatic Leaders

Abstract

Charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic leadership have been identified as the three key styles of leadership. Leaders expressing each style are held to appeal to followers in different ways and through different mechanisms. In the present study, the appeal of charismatic and pragmatic leaders to followers was assessed, as well as follower fantasy proneness. After exposure to charismatic and pragmatic appeals, participants were asked to work on an educational task. It was found that the type of leader appeal, or leader style, did not interact with follower fantasy proneness in influencing performance. However, fantasy proneness did influence identification with the leader. The implications of these findings for understanding the appeal of charismatic and pragmatic leaders are discussed.