What makes such motley people in common as Gandhi, Hitler, Lenin, Trotsky, Che Guevara, Yulia Tymoshenko, Napoleon, Martin Luther King? Despite completely different characters, peaceful or warlike plans, millions listened to them, they sparked with their ideas, inspired to fight, carried away. They say of such people that they have the charisma of a leader, although not all of them craved the glory and honors of the leader. Followers followed, they had their zealous opponents. But fame can also be momentary, as we can see from the igniting and dying stars of show business, and such personalities are remembered many years after their death.
Charisma is the word that came to us from the Bible. The apostle Paul speaks of the true servants of God as people on whom the grace of God, the Holy Spirit, has descended. And from Greek this term translates precisely as “grace”. Initially, it defined a Christian worthy of the title of apostle of God, that is, one who lives by the gospel commandments. In the early centuries of the spread of Christianity, did this mean that crowds of admirers followed by grace and holiness had fan clubs like modern football teams? Not at all. But did this bother the apostles? Not at all!
And here we find the first quality inherent in this category of people: confidence and determination. “Do not think what you say — the Spirit of God will speak through you,” says the Scripture. A charismatic person is like a fired arrow: he is all aimed at achieving the goal, and with this perseverance he infects others. He does not doubt for a minute the righteousness of his goals, their nobleness, and shows willingness to go to the end. For a vacillating, uncertain character, such a person is like a lighthouse in the midst of a raging sea.
Obsessed with his idea, a charismatic person can eloquently submit it. Such people are not tongue-tied, although there are good speakers who are devoid of any charisma. And, most importantly, the idea that the fiery stands proclaims may not be born in his head at all, but be the fruit of the thoughts of wise (but not endowed with the ability to convince) advisers. Such speakers “catch” the listeners on an emotional, in-depth level. They do not moralize, do not teach, they inspire and infect with their enthusiasm. Being in front of the crowd, such personalities feel their audience. They can be populists, but they don’t follow the lead of the majority: they just talk to people in a language they understand. And they are not afraid to voice their opinion, even if it diverges from the generally accepted.
A charismatic person feels at ease in any situation. He does not fall into depression and confusion from unexpected problems, and even in case of failure he does not give up. He can honestly admit his mistakes, but immediately encourage others to follow him anyway, since he knows where to go. In extreme situations, such individuals retain a complete presence of mind and make the right decision. They radiate full confidence, and it beckons. At the same time, charismatics is distinguished from an authoritarian leader by the fact that the former makes it possible for others to manifest themselves. He does not say: “Watch and listen!”, But convinces: “Let's go to the goal together!”
Since the sociologist Max Weber applied the term “charismatic person” to political leaders, many training programs have appeared that promise to grow “mind masters” from completely ordinary and even shy and uncommunicative personalities. We have forgotten the former meaning of the word "charisma" - "God's gift." You can overcome shyness through classes and exercises, develop communication skills, and learn how to stay in public. However, a true obsession, unwavering confidence, the ability to raise an emotional wave in others and lead to a cherished goal can be obtained only from nature or from God, as you like.