Charisma - The Devil's Work or an Angel's Trait?
Roger Philby
Talent Management Expert | Unlocking Business Potential | Strategic Advisor on Leadership and Go-To-Market Talent
I was recently asked about the value of "charisma", so i thought about it, got quite cross and wrote the following argument.
Love to hear your thoughts.
Charisma is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as "exercising a compelling charm which inspires devotion in others"…so the big question, are you born with charisma or can you learn it? The truth is a bit of both. Genetics goes some way to giving you the starting blocks for charisma, e.g. research published by Murry & Schmitz found that physical stature affects people's preference for leadership. Perhaps the most charismatic man of a generation (not me, a paltry 5' 8") is Barack Obama at 6' 1". By the way the average height of a US leader is 6' 0", compared to the average height of a US male at 5' 9". So, genes clearly give you the edge in getting that inspiring leader role. However, it most certainly does not guarantee you are charismatic. If we see charisma as embodying confidence, optimism in the future and great oratory skills then all these things can be learnt. On the face of it charisma could be learnt even by a vertically challenged human being like myself.
Alas it is not as easy as that, my experience of charisma, is that it is embodied in a person who has found their passion. True charisma is an authenticity in an individual's manner and words that can not be faked or even learnt. Obama, is charismatic not because he speaks well, but because he believes what he says. When he is pencil pushing and towing the line he loses all his charm and power to motivate. Charisma then, can be learnt or at least the tools to behave in a charismatic way, however genuine rabble rousing charisma is only exhibited by people who possess 100% conviction in their belief.
The bigger question we should be asking ourselves today is, is Charisma relevant? Some of the wealthiest and most corrupt men in the world have charisma. There is no argument from the history books to suggest Hitler was nothing less than charismatic. Actually history is littered with lessons, lessons that clearly state charisma is overrated when evaluating a person's true self or intent. Charisma is the mask behind which awful leaders climb and the blocker to those truly great leaders that do not possess it.
Charisma is a charlatan.
Chair, UK Afghanistan Veterans' Community Non Executive and Executive Director: Leadership Fellow, St George's, Windsor, Leadership, Mentoring and Strategy
3 年Authenticity beats charisma every time. If you've got both, you've won in the lottery of life.
People. Performance. Outcome.
8 年Very interesting and thought provoking read. I agree it's a lot easier to be charismatic when you are authentic, speaking about what you truly believe. A key lesson that took me a while to realise, is the most effective leaders aren't the windbags used as the poster boys for leadership by many. This is something excellently covered by Jim Collins and his team in good to great and great by choice. I enjoyed this Roger, thanks.
Risk, Strategy, Finance, Science
8 年Hi Roger, interesting article. Not sure I agree with Oxford's "exercising a compelling charm which inspires devotion in others". I prefer ".... which generates genuine rapport! I am not 'devoted' to either of these but, I would still say two of the most charismatic people I have seen are the Dalai Lama and Bill Clinton (in his day). Perhaps it is definitional? Agree that rapport can be used insidiously, likewise for good of all. Certainly it can be learnt but, like all things, regardless of training some will excel ! Cheers, Miles
Merely Eccentric in a World Gone Mad
9 年Charisma is a force multiplier. It doesn't do anything by itself, it just makes what you do with it more effective. It's very much like physical attractiveness in that way.
VP Enterprise and Strategic Partnerships, IonQ - Solving the World's most complex problems 1 qubit at a time!
9 年Hello Roger, no doubt that charisma like any powerful 'social tool' can be used for both good and evil ... as it rallies people behind an idea - good or bad. Interestingly even in business settings where decisions are supposed to be driven by economic results vs. psychology, charisma still plays an important role in determining promotions. The key Q going forward is how will this change in a world where intelligent machines will control a greater proportion of wealth creation vs their 'Human counterparts' ... Will we see a 'machine charisma' emerge?