What does Max Weber mean by ideal types?

The three types of authority according to Max Weber are:

Charismatic This refers to the qualities of a leader or an individual that makes his or her leadership extraordinary. It acts like the special icing or topping in a cake of a person that makes him or her charismatic to other people especially those that he or she governs or leads. This is an effective way to divert the attention of those people that could become in conflict with him or her.

Traditional Leaders that have such kind of authority possess or show a dominant personality. Such leaders use tradition as their guide to conduct things in order. The kind of leadership he or she has is often based on his or her environments everyday conduct and routine.

Legal-Rational This is the kind of authority that is grounded by laws. The authority given by people to the leaders is not based on the attraction they feel towards that leader, his or her ability or how well that person could become and act as their leader but through the power that was given to them by the law.