|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What exactly is Charisma? Most would agree that it is a magical, illusive, personal quality, divinely endowed on some people more than others. One thing is for certain, it is more easily identified than defined. It is the secret to being liked and agreed with by others. It is the much sought-after quality that causes people to envy others because of their congeniality and ease at which they interact with people. Charisma, like many other character traits, may be gifted more to some, but regardless of your given level, charisma, like any other skill, can be further developed.
It is officially defined as "an unusual ability to influence people and arouse devotion" and "a personal attractiveness that enables you to influence others." Other definitions describe it as "a gift, the ability to charm or influence people" and "appeal, magnetism, presence and leadership ability." Dr. Tony Alessandra defines charisma as "the ability to influence others positively by connecting with them physically, emotionally, and intellectually." Harvard anthropologist Charles Lindholm defines it as "above all, a relationship, a mutual mingling of the inner selves of leader and follower."
Charisma certainly has several key components, Dr. Alessandra choosing to summarize them as intellectual, physical and emotional. Intellectual charisma is often characterized by an impressive vocabulary and an ability to draw out the best and most thoughtful ideas from others. A well-read person with an impressive and resonating speaking style is usually associated with being very charismatic. A person who is extremely well educated but not arrogant might too be considered as charismatic. Leadership ability is often associated with charisma.
Physical charisma is often evident simply because of ones commanding presence and impressive physical stature. It may also be embellished by the relative attractiveness of that person, whether male or female. A great handshake, a confident, articulate voice and positive eye contact that conveys "I am interested in learning more about you and respect you immensely" are all means of conveying charisma. Great posture, proximity and even wardrobe all adds to a persons' charismatic quotient.
Emotional charisma is conveyed by a sense of being a deep thinker or one who is willing to ponder the larger picture. These people have a tendency to bring out the best in the rest of us by causing us to dig deeper emotionally and seek out better answers to the challenges in life. They see more in us than we sometimes see in ourselves. They are both motivating and captivating people.
Charismatic people have a "twinkle" or "sparkle" in their eye. You know what I mean. They have the essence of a positive and energizing manner of thought and immediately are able to transfer that feeling to others. These traits allow the charismatic person to connect easily with others. A charismatic person will illuminate a room by simply walking into it. We have all experienced this feeling as we have personally witnessed the change of mood or emotional intensity in a room simply because of the presence of an individual who has just entered.
A great example of a well known charismatic person is former president Bill Clinton. Whether or not you agree with his politics or antics, most people would agree that he might arguably be one of the most charismatic leaders of our time. Why? Was he always correct? Did he have the total support of the Congress or the American people? Did other world leaders always see things his way? Was he faultless? Of course he was not. He was never any of those things.
What President Clinton has is an uncanny ability to persuade people to his point of view. He has the ability to make a connection with people at all levels by being sincerely interested in them. His influence on others is profound. He has a commanding physical presence, yet maintains a boyish charm. He is extremely intelligent and well-read. He is articulate yet not at all condescending. Many would describe him as handsome. He has possessed and experienced the power of the Presidency of the United States. He also has that "sparkle" in his eye. The man has great charisma!
Can you be charismatic like President Clinton? Certainly you can. You already have some charisma, certain strengths and abilities that others find attractive. Develop these. Look people in the eye. Listen carefully when you are conversing. Take a genuine interest in their point of view. Be quick to forgive minor errors and sincerely issue compliments and polite gratitude where appropriate. You may not be able to do anything about your physical stature, but you can still have a commanding presence by means of your confidence level, your posture, your voice and your eye contact.
Charisma is not merely a gift from God that was bestowed upon some people, but given to all. You have some charisma, just like President Clinton. Determine your strengths and build on those first. Target other areas where you would like to grow and get busy. Making the effort to further develop your charisma is truly gratifying and will surely pay you back in spades.
Daniel Sitter is the author of the popular, breakthrough e-book, Learning For Profit. Designed for busy people, this new book teaches simple, step-by-step accelerated learning skills, demonstrating exactly how to learn anything faster than ever before. It's currently available from the author's web site http://www.learningforprofit.com/ and a variety of online software and book merchants. Mr. Sitter is a contributing writer for several online and traditional publications. His expertise includes sales, marketing, self-improvement and general business interests.
Wind Chimes and more... Relationships are constantly facing crisis. Everywhere we look people are... Read More People don't leave jobs; they leave bosses. -- AnonymousCongratulations. You're... Read More It's a common occurrence, a CEO leads a company to... Read More Leadership is motivational or it's stumbling in the dark. The... Read More The stock market gyrates with unpredictable and heartburning results. Icons... Read More Webster's Dictionary describes a "partner" as an ally or an... Read More Mentoring is one of the best ways to learn, to... Read More "The only way to enjoy anything in this life, is... Read More 7 Awe-Inspiring Leadership Power-Generating Strategies!Here's a really simple way you... Read More Many potential leaders in business sabotage themselves and their organizations... Read More A German silent film melodrama depicts an airship bombing London... Read More The Lakota tribe of Native Americans has no word in... Read More Did you ever notice that In our American culture, we... Read More Connect and Engage! Your People Are Your Power.It's been said... Read More The ancient Greeks had a saying: "When Aschines speaks, the... Read More Purpose: Learn immediately if you are fostering leadership or ignoring... Read More The Leadership ChallengeLeaders in today's society are faced with an... Read More Identity CrisisIt's not only the knowledge you carry around in... Read More "Do what you do so well that they will want... Read More (Excerpted from the Jim Rohn Sampler single CD)My first mentor,... Read More Studies have shown that companies that have acquired competencies to... Read More "The payoff for the ethical person is a reputation for... Read More Making any decision without having all of the information and... Read More What motivates people to work and to achieve? What circumstances... Read More Abraham Lincoln Is Still Alive President Jimmy Carter tells in... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
Be the Samurai Sword
F2 Leadership
The Greatest Leaders Are Often The Worst Leaders
In Leadership, Dreams Are The Stuff That Great Results Are Made Of
Tough Times Demand Resilient Leaders
The Goals of Leadership Coaching and Partnerships
Make the Most of Your Mentoring Relationships
A Winning Choice for Leadership!
7 Awesome Leadership Power Generators!
Career Advice for Business Leaders: Empowering Others
Leadership Development and Jumping Out of Airships
Quality Leadership
The Seven Secrets to New Age Leadership
A Leader?s Ultimate Goal ? Connect to Engage!
In Leadership, The Eight Ways Of Right Action (Part 1)
Leadership: Seed or Fruit?
The Flexible Leadership Workshop
Leaders ARE; Are you?
BIG-3 Leadership!
Mr. Shoaffs Simple Strategies to Success
Why Not Lead With Emotions?
Leadership Is Power: Test Your Ethics
Act on Some of the Facts
Charismatic Leadership
Abraham Lincoln Is Still Alive
A Leader is not a certain type of person or... Read More
As the 'Great And Powerful Oz' once said to Dorothy,... Read More
Perhaps noted as one of the greatest United States presidents... Read More
You've spent the last 12 years riding your technical skills... Read More
Do you ever strum your fingers on the desk top... Read More
Delegating is a commonly misunderstood concept. Delegating is not about... Read More
The stock market gyrates with unpredictable and heartburning results. Icons... Read More
How do you get your people on your side? And... Read More
The vast majority of leadership training available to managers focuses... Read More
What you are about to read may be found in... Read More
Any man would be justly proud to claim even a... Read More
It's a common occurrence, a CEO leads a company to... Read More
As a business owner, you are a leader whether you... Read More
Theodore Roosevelt was one of the most remarkable men in... Read More
The single most important thing a leader can do is... Read More
Looking around in most corporate environments today you'll find mission,... Read More
Anne was a new supervisor, and like many new supervisors... Read More
The first time I meet a leader to decide if... Read More
"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of... Read More
As someone who teaches, manages, parents or influences you'll probably... Read More
Great leadership is timeless, always in vogue. The world has... Read More
Leadership is motivational or it's stumbling in the dark. The... Read More
Those that have successfully made the transition from manager to... Read More
OK, I know this title sounds self-serving and hard nosed,... Read More
Lee (L.B.) Weiss (Sept. 21/25 ? April 30/82)My dad has... Read More
Leadership |