Very few of us are immune to the magnetism of charisma. Charismatic employees are often seen as valuable additions to any workplace, leaving strong impressions and fostering engagement. But the impact of charisma is not always beneficial. Hogan Assessments, a global leader in workplace personality assessment and leadership consulting, has explored four key drawbacks of workplace charisma that managers and HR professionals should be aware of.
An easy path to burnout
Charisma can be a powerful tool for impression management – a process where individuals consciously or subconsciously influence how others perceive them. While this can be useful in job interviews or meetings, employees who focus too much on their persona risk neglecting their core responsibilities, leading to reduced productivity.
The pursuit of social acceptance at work is increasingly shaped by social media, making it difficult to establish clear boundaries. As a result, highly charismatic employees may overexert themselves in an effort to maintain their image. Dr Ryne Sherman, chief science officer at Hogan Assessments and co-host of The Science of Personality podcast, explains: “This scenario often stems from feeling less confident in their skill sets or ability to complete their jobs. Therefore, they feel they need to justify their place within a team and may lean too far into relying on the likeable or charismatic traits that they may be rewarded for.”
Operational failure
Charisma does not equate to sound judgement or strong leadership. While a persuasive personality can be influential, it becomes meaningless without substance. Charismatic candidates may impress during interviews but struggle to perform once in the role.
“Charismatic managers and leaders often have problems acknowledging they do not have all the answers, which is necessary for anyone providing leadership to a complex enterprise. Therefore, they are less willing to seek and listen to advice, which can be detrimental to any organisation, as critical feedback or insights from their team might be easily dismissed,” says Dr Sherman.
Workplace inequalities and team resentment
Career progression is often marked by disparities, with personality playing a significant role in determining success. Charismatic individuals are frequently perceived as “leaderlike” regardless of their actual credentials. This can create an unfair dynamic in promotions and career advancement.
Prioritising charisma over competence can lead to frustration among employees who feel overlooked despite their hard work. “A charismatic worker with strong interpersonal skills can indeed be a great asset but must be weighed up alongside the other skills needed to perform the job to the company’s desired standard,” Dr. Sherman advises.
Overpromising and underdelivering
In an effort to gain approval, particularly from superiors, charismatic employees may set unrealistic goals and expectations. While they may occasionally succeed, more often than not, they fall short and deflect blame onto colleagues rather than taking responsibility.
“Whether intentional or not, charismatic people can’t help but promise more than they can realistically deliver. The problem is these are politically savvy individuals who are skilled at dodging accountability time and time again. This behaviour might not be sustainable in the long run, but charismatics tend to realise that and use their charm to land another job where they can start the cycle all over again with a clean slate,” Dr. Sherman explains.
While charisma can be a valuable asset, it must be balanced with genuine competence and accountability to ensure long-term success in the workplace.
