Understanding Charisma

Of all leadership attributes, charisma is perhaps the least understood. At first glance, charisma appears to be an invisible energy or magnetism. There's no denying its presence, but it's hard to put a finger on its source. Some mistakenly believe charisma is a birth trait, embedded in certain personalities, but completely absent in others. John Maxwell believes charisma is both explainable and learnable. He also believes charisma helps to boost a leader's influence.

Charisma is defined as, "The ability to inspire enthusiasm, interest or affection in others by means of personal charm or influence." Leaders who have this special ability share four things in common:

They Love Life. Leaders who attract a following are passionate about life. They are celebrators, not complainers. They're characterized by joy and warmth. They're energetic and radiant in an infectious way. They know a smile earns a reciprocate smile almost every time. We are hardwired to take on the energy of those around us. Leaders who love life have charisma because they fill the room with positive energy.
They Value the Potential in People. To become an attractive leader, expect the best from your people. John Maxwell describes this behavior as "putting a 10 on everyone's head." Leaders see people not as they are, but as they could be. From this vantage point, they help others build a bridge from the present to a preferred future. When you invest in people and lift them toward their potential, they will love you for it.
They Give Hope. People have an inner longing to improve their future and their fortunes. Charismatic leaders connect with people by painting tomorrow brighter than today. To them, the future is full of amazing opportunities and unrealized dreams. Napoleon Bonaparte once said, "Leaders are dealers in hope." They infuse optimism into the culture around them, and they boost morale. While attentive to the current reality, they do not resign themselves to present circumstance.
They Share Themselves. Leaders with charisma add value to people by sharing wisdom, resources and even special occasions. They embrace the power of inclusion, inviting others to join them for learning experiences, brainstorming sessions or simply a cup of coffee. Such leaders embrace team spirit and value togetherness. As a result, charismatic leaders are not lonely at the top. For leaders, the greatest satisfaction is found by serving. They find great pleasure celebrating the successes of those around them, and the victory they enjoy the most is a team triumph.

Charisma has substance. It's not manipulative energy or a magical gift endowed upon select personalities. Rather, it's an attractive blend of learnable qualities. Charisma compounds a leader's influence. Without it, leaders have trouble inspiring passion and energizing their teams. With it, leaders draw out the best in their people, give the best of themselves and find the greatest fulfillment.

Source: adapted from Leadership Wired, voll. 11, Issue 10