Visionary and charismatic leadership is often associated with top-level strategic management. Leadership tends to stress the role of charismatic individuals in setting compelling visions to which all organizational members are expected to subscribe. But a leader can be both or just one or the other, or neither. Visionary leaders create an image of the organization in the future.

They believe they are capable of creating a significant part of the future and controlling its effects on them. Visionary leaders try to prevent threats, not merely prepare for them, and to create opportunities, not merely exploit them. They envision a desirable future and invent ways of bringing it about. Charismatic leaders inspire loyalty, enthusiasm, and high levels of performance.