Charisma: It’s the most overrated and maligned of all the so-called leadership traits, say scholars. John F. Kennedy had it as well as Bill Clinton, Oprah, P. Diddy, Donald Trump and Martin Luther King. It’s a trait that’s attributed to scores of successful leaders from the seasoned CEO with the infectious presence to the fast rising entrepreneur with the gift of gab.
Charisma is that larger than life persona, a charm, that personable essence, apart from wit, smarts and skill that makes some people a human magnet.
In business, charisma is that seemingly innate quality that galvanizes employees to both admire and work tediously.
They help employees and partners feel good about themselves. Leaders with charisma stir the souls of their colleagues and employers, encouraging them to buy into the mission of the leader with a healthy smile and unheralded enthusiasm.
Julian Green is press secretary for Sen. Barack Obama, and says the freshman senator has an uncanny ability to inspire action amongst his team and constituents. Obama, whose rise to become the only African American senator in the U.S Congress shocked many, attracted an incredibly diverse constituency and spurred a renewed optimism in government.
“He impacts the team because he can transfer that confidence in other people,” said Green. “It’s like you can be a team that’s down 20 points, but with a charismatic leader you feel you can win the game. You put out not only 100 percent effort but 150 percent. You’ll march with that person in the barracks.”
Among those who maintain that people are born leaders, there are those who feel such leaders are born charismatic.
But there are others who say the power of charisma; a quality that in popular culture infers both s*x appeal and subtle manipulation has nothing to do with leadership at all.
“They quickly shade into darker qualities,” writes Carlin Flora, author of the essay “The Superpower.” “For every revolutionary hero there’s a tyrant who looks just as charming at first glance.”
Despite its elusive quality, many lessons in leadership from textbooks to pop readers say charisma is a core trait in leadership. But instead of being say, a birth trait, charisma is actually a series of people building strategies.
But how is it developed?
Charisma actually reflects the cultivation of faithfulness among colleagues, employers and the public at large, says Max Dupree, author of Leadership Jazz. Faithfulness is explored at length in his book.
“A sound philosophy isn’t enough,” writes Dupree of leaders. “We all need to connect voice and touch.”
In cultivating faithfulness, Dupree suggests thinking about the following:
1. Integrity in all things proceeds all else
Followers must be convinced that their leaders have integrity. Believability spurs faithfulness. But sincerity and perception is key. “Leaders understand the profound difference between gestures and commitment.”
2. The servanthood of leadership must be felt, understood and practiced.
Leaders walk the walk with grace and humbleness. Dupree points to a verse in the book of Luke. “The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” Leaders must see through the eyes of their constituents and have empathy.
3. Accountability for others especially those on the edges of life who have not experienced the ways of the world.
Call it the trickle up theory. Leaders should sustain and encourage those on the bottom rung first, says Dupree. Equity in human relationships can be endearing.
4. Leaders have to be vulnerable.
According to Dupree, in a capitalist system, people become vulnerable by creating genuine opportunities for others to reach their potential and at the same time work for corporate goals.
Knowing your own voice as a leader and being able to relay that is also instrumental is fostering charisma. “Who are you?” may be a question associated with self-fulfillment, but those with charisma have a know the answer. It’s a confidence that borders arrogance matched by humbleness as well as an empathy that makes charismatic leaders easy to identify with.
Keith Harrell, author of “The Attitude of Leadership” emphasizes the strength of parables and the power of someone believing in a leader, also core components of charisma. He suggests answering the following:
-How effective do you use parables and metaphors?
-What injustice have you encountered and how are you committed to change it?
-What change are you trying to instigate?
-What do you do to rededicate yourself to moving forward?
The root word for charisma means, “gift of grace.” While some say it’s unteachable, all grace begins with knowing yourself.
“It’s being able to light a room on fire and make people act,” said Green. “There are a lot of people who are very eloquent and articulate, but very few can make you start a movement.” nv
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Wednesday, April 6th 2011 at 11:24AM
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