Executive Summary The leadership literature has identified both the leader's self-concept and personal meaning as sources of motivation for charismatic and non-charismatic leaders. However, while several versions of charismatic and non-charismatic leadership theory predict such effects, none of them explains how the content of a leader's personal meaning is influenced by the self-concept. This article seeks to advance leadership theory by addressing this fundamental problem. Based on theories of possible selves, personal meaning and charismatic leadership, this article describes how a leader's thoughts about his or her potential and future may influence the personal meaning of charismatic and non-charismatic leaders.
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