Apple Post-Jobs May Lack Charisma, Maintain Success: Commentary

IPods, iPads and iPhones would have baffled the German social scientist Max Weber, who died in 1920. Yet the father of modern sociology would surely have understood something about the man behind those gadgets.

Weber defined the “charismatic leader” as one whose influence stems from almost preternatural insights and imagination and who inspires devotional loyalty from his followers -- which adds up to an uncanny description of Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs.