We can all recognize a successful leader when we see one. When they speak, they appear to emanate a special attraction that turns heads. They understand how to command attention not just with their words, but also with the cadence of their voice and even with their body language. Charismatic personalities can captivate anybody, from celebrities to industrial and international leaders.
For a long time, common wisdom maintained that you were either born with charisma or you weren't. According to psychologists, charisma is a combination of nature and nurture. Yes, some people are just born with a more captivating personality. The good news is that if you desire, you can learn to be more charming and acquire such abilities.
Before we get into those characteristics, it's probably a good idea to define charisma.
What Is Charisma?
The phrase "divine gift" means "divine gift" in Greek. Charisma is shrouded in mystery, but the Merriam-Webster dictionary describes it as “a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure.” (Admittedly, that does not appear to be something that can be learnt, but let us hope.)
It's simple to understand how "personal magic of leadership" may be so alluring to a leader and provide them a competitive advantage. Having the "It" factor may come more naturally to some people than others, but everyone with good leadership qualities have some of it, even if they gained it along the way.
Here are some characteristics of a charismatic leader.
1. Adaptable
William von Hippel, a psychology professor at the University of Queensland in Australia, feels that flexibility is the most important attribute that all good leaders possess. "There are clearly many qualities that enable people to be socially successful, but the fact that what works in one situation often does not work in another suggests that behavioral flexibility may be the single most important attribute for social functioning," von Hippel said.
Sulking when plans don't go precisely as planned isn't exactly charming. Instead, charismatic leaders figure out how to make lemonade out of lemons.
Charismatic individuals, according to von Hippel, may not always have the perfect solution to a difficult subject, but they have the capacity to come up with alternate responses and pick what works best for the scenario. They are also aware of what is going on around them and may swiftly change their conduct to deal with any difficulties. Despite this, charismatic leaders are as cool as cucumbers — or at least exude that confidence — regardless of the distractions.
Being adaptive enables them to close commercial transactions and move forward even when things don't go as planned.
2. Confident
One of the most crucial things for leaders to create with their teams is trust. When a leader is self-assured and not scared to take a risk, it helps others to relax a little and rally around them because they trust them. Charismatic leaders exhibit certainty nearly without hesitation.
When it comes to celebrities like Bono or Lady Gaga, this is referred to as confidence swagger since it allows them to walk around the stage without a hint of self-doubt. Their assurance can be felt across the arena. Confidence isn't always simple to come by, but it can be developed and is essential for success. Confident leaders will always view the glass half-full, and this optimism may be a tremendous motivator for those they lead.
3. Visionary
Charismatic leaders may value the past, but they will not be bound by it. They have an innovative attitude and are constantly searching for ways to enhance things. This kind of foresight is what helped Martin Luther King Jr. become such a great leader. He had a clear vision about which he was enthusiastic and understood how to articulate it (more on that later).
Charismatic leaders have certain aims they seek to attain. When combined with confidence, that may be extremely enticing to others. This may be the second most crucial trait of a charismatic leader, after flexibility, and how they go about presenting their vision typically results in a powerful emotional reaction from the audience.
4. Determined
If vision is the distant peak on the horizon, resolve is the fuel that propels charismatic leaders onward. If that goal is to be realized, then certain milestones must be met along the route. Consider Amazon's goal of having a zero-carbon impact by 2040. To make it happen, Jeff Bezos and his team will require unrelenting resolve and the achievement of certain goals at specific times in this timetable.
When faced with adversity, determined leaders do not give up. Instead, they keep their heads down, adjust, and go on. This motivation to keep pushing forward might trickle down and inspire subordinates to strive harder to achieve whatever the common objective may be.
5. Great Communicator
Crowds gather in droves to hear a politician speak for a reason: the most engaging politicians know how to articulate their vision effectively and clearly. Those with a very charismatic personality frequently hold strong ideas and may be extremely convincing with both their words and their body language. Simply simply, they are excellent storytellers.
Charismatic leaders captivate their audiences by using good posture, eye contact, and hand gestures to relate their speech to the audience. They articulate their words to assist explain their vision and deliver their message with confidence, whether speaking to a single person or a group of 10,000.
6. Creative
The economy is evolving quicker than ever, and it doesn't take long to see how ingenuity and adaptation will drive tomorrow's triumphs. So, how does this relate to charisma?
Charismatic individuals, on the other hand, prefer to think outside the box and seek out new ways to accomplish things. Of course, this is related to having a passion and a vision. Not only are charismatic thinkers innovative, but they also question the existing quo and take risks to make their thoughts a reality. Aside from thinking outside the box, good leaders inspire people to tap into their own creativity and enhance their approach to a scenario.
A charismatic leader rises to meet difficulties and sees obstacles as chances for creativity. To put this in context, a global poll of more than 1,500 CEOs from 60 countries discovered that innovation was the most sought-after trait in a leader. When leaders demonstrate their creative spirit, they come out as extremely captivating and motivate others to follow suit.
Final Thoughts
The most charismatic leaders not only have a vision and know how to successfully convey it; they also know how to adjust to unexpected developments while remaining compelling and motivating. The fact is that some people are born with greater natural charm than others. Make no mistake, the characteristics of a captivating leader can all be learnt and improved.
