The victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran did not fulfill Ayatollah Khomeini’s messianic aspirations. Still driven by dreams of glory, the aged Ayatollah continued relentlessly to pursue his greater goal of one “united Islamic Nation” under his guidance. The fundamental political, economic, and social changes, as well as the violence and havoc that his revolution unleashed, are vivid testimony to the powerful forces that can be mobilized by charismatic leader-follower relationships. Osama bin Laden similarly forged a powerful bond with his alienated followers, resulting in the explosive events of September 11, 2001. Indeed, Khomeini can be considered an intellectual mentor and model for bin Laden. The Islamic Revolution in Iran and the radical Islamic terrorism of al-Qaeda are pointed reminders that such relationships are not merely interesting relics of a bygone era – the era of “great men” – but continue to play an important and often determining role in world affairs.

I write not of charismatic leaders but rather of charismatic leader–follower relationships. In this chapter, I elaborate on the political psychology of this powerful tie between leaders and followers and attempt to identify crucial aspects of the psychology of the leader that, like a key, fit and unlock crucial aspects of the psychology of their followers. In delineating this lock-and-key relationship, I draw on emerging understandings of the psychology of narcissism.