This paper reviews the traditional literature on charisma, as well as selected social psychology literature the author feels is relevant to the concept of charisma. Throughout the paper, the author examines a number of topics related to the concept of charisma, including charismatic effects, characteristics of charismatic leaders, behavior of charismatic leaders, and situational factors associated with the emergence and effectiveness of charismatic leaders. Based on this analysis, the author develops a speculative theoretical explanation of charisma from a psychological perspective, rather than from a sociological or political science perspective. He also presents eight testable propositions on which to base further leadership research. (Author/JG)