Leadership built on charisma is not uncommon. History knows many such examples. Armed with his special ability to influence others, with independence and eye-catching features, a charismatic leader enters the masses. Traits of his special character are always visible from childhood, and in time by paying attention to them, you can direct a person in the right direction.
The concept
Charismatic leadership is a special form of exceptional and gifted influence on other people through their personal appeal. With a beautiful appearance, this attraction rarely has something in common. A charismatic leader may be too short, have a big nose, or even be hunchbacked. But even with all this, he attracts people with something special, something that is not found in anyone else, this is the very charisma that we are talking about. Thanks to her, he receives universal support and recognition.
Qualities of a Charismatic Leader
In the pursuit of leadership, people often resort to thoughts of discovering the makings of charisma. Then the question arises of what kind of charismatic leader features.
Firstly, it is full confidence in what he says and thinks. His judgments may be absurd, incorrect, but he sincerely believes in them, which makes him believe in them and everyone around him. Such people even say with confidence that the earth is actually flat.
Secondly, this is a vision of prospects. Where others do not see the opportunity to realize or triumph, the charismatic leader sees. Without this vision, there would be no multitude of military escape. A vivid example of this, Napoleon Bonaparte, he clearly understood when and who to attack. But confidence in his unlimited power eventually led him to defeat.
Thirdly, this ability to captivate others with their ideas. For these purposes, leaders use oratory , persuasion, and clarification. After this, many even begin to take the ideas of such a leader for their own.
Fourth, this is devotion to one’s work and idea. Such people do not run, even when the ship is sinking. They are not afraid to take risks, and even if in the end the ship goes into the depths of the sea, they, as leaders, will assume sole responsibility.
Fifth, this is non-standard behavior. Sometimes they behave in a way that prohibits social norms. They are reformers, discoverers. Among such leaders, one can distinguish the famous female fashion designer Coco Chanel. When everyone around wore magnificent dresses and pulled themselves into uncomfortable corsets, she was not afraid to dress like a man. They laughed at her, they prophesied failure, but instead of him, she gained success, popularity and eternal glory.
Sixth, this is the ability to charge with energy. It does not matter whether it is positive or negative, they radiate it, nourish it all around. Being close to this or that person, sometimes you feel that he really helps to cheer up just by his presence. This is a clear sign of a person having charisma.
In addition, such individuals often note a special mesmerizing appearance. She may not meet the standards of beauty of this time, but is recognized by all impeccably. In a sense, they are actors who can amuse the audience, and when necessary, even make them cry. If they did not possess these skills, they would be just another gray unit of society.
Types of Charismatic Leaders
All leaders can be conditionally divided into several types:
- Leader He does not bring any idea to the masses and does not prove his case. He takes on the execution of already defined programs and successfully copes with this. This provides him with such a recognition of society.
- Leader inspirer. Here we are talking about the idea. He offers the masses a new program of behavior that he personally developed. Thanks to his ability to persuade, he gets what he wants.
- Leader of authority. He takes the masses with the help of universal respect. People find in him that deserves this very respect, and follow him. Moreover, he himself can be both a performer and an inspirer.
Characteristic model of government
Charismatic political leaders deserve special attention . As if by the classics of the genre, charisma leads people to power, and in the end they become rulers. But here it is more appropriate to say that many rulers have charisma, but not all. Rulers are known in history who not only did not receive respect and recognition, but did not even leave behind at least some kind of memory.
Suppose state Z is led by a charismatic leader. Such a state is always united. In this case, the ruler does not resort to military force and his position. The people follow him himself, voluntarily. For such a country it will be characteristic that its population does not arrange revolutions, protests, does not migrate to other states.
Alexander the Great
Alexander of Macedon, the great king and commander born in 356, is a real charismatic leader. It is difficult to say what exactly made his charisma so inspiring, what was given to him from birth, or study with such great teachers as Lysimachus and Aristotle. At the age of 16 he already ascended the throne and, despite his young age, quickly earned the respect of the people and his soldiers. As a commander, he conquered almost all of Asia Minor and even Egypt, where Alexandria was founded.
Joseph Stalin
The charismatic leader of the Soviet Union, with all its severity, rigidity and hot temper, was able to elevate its rule to the rank of a real cult. His mind, along with manners, delighted everyone around him so much that few wanted to rebel against his ruthless executions. He gained his power without ascending to an important public office, he gained it thanks to the authority he enjoyed among the people.
Adolf Gitler
Hitler, in contrast to Stalin, had his charisma, and replenished the piggy bank, called "not the best examples of charismatic leaders." But, nevertheless, he managed to go so far in realizing his ambitions that he received as a reward a whole nation of helpers, followers and puppets. The secret to his success is that he firmly believed in the idea of his superhuman leadership abilities.
Can charisma be nurtured?
Many naively believe that charismatic leaders are born. In fact, many of these people in childhood had poor diction, suffered mockery from their peers. No one would have thought how once quiet and completely gray people could end up with people dazzling everyone around. This is facilitated by an unfavorable environment or just a desire to change your life once and for all. If you are one of those, take a few tips into service:
- Never listen to other people's opinions. You can’t achieve anything if you listen to someone screaming in the back that you won’t succeed. Set goals and go to them, even if no one believes in you. But you should not go too far and become a “sheep” instead of a leader.
- Do not be afraid to lose. They suffered even the most famous winners. Defeat is only an experience, and nothing more.
- Do not stand still, constantly evolve. The brain must always be in motion. Study foreign languages, painting, history, chemistry.
- Help people. Universal respect is earned that way. But everything should come from a kind heart, and not from selfish motives.