Acquiring Charisma: Learn to Assert Yourself and Inspire People to Follow
Charisma: “a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which he or she is set apart from ordinary people and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These are not accessible to the ordinary person and are regarded as of divine origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader” -Max Weber
People need charismatic leaders in times of crisis, stress, and uncertainty; if your vision is inspiring, specific, positive, and possible, and if you are able to make an emotional connection between yourself, your vision, and your potential followers, people will respond. When times are tough, we all want things to get better and are willing to do things we would not normally do- we just need someone to convince us. Luckily, though American society has more recently put the outgoing and charming businessman-as-leader on a pedestal, some of the most effective leaders with charisma throughout history were introverts, including Abraham Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi, and Adolf Hitler (though he also had 'ruthless' and 'mentally-unhinged' going for him).
You are not going to become charismatic overnight, and you may never reach the heights of persuasion by personality that some people are born capable of reaching. However, you can learn how to connect with people and influence them by making personal connections and presenting your vision in an inspiring way. If you are an introvert who at times feels socially inept, remember that you are only going to get better at socializing the way the rest of us did: by practicing! Consider reaching out to a professional to help you with your communication and socialization skills. It made a difference for billionaire investor Warren Buffet!
People need charismatic leaders in times of crisis, stress, and uncertainty; if your vision is inspiring, specific, positive, and possible, and if you are able to make an emotional connection between yourself, your vision, and your potential followers, people will respond. When times are tough, we all want things to get better and are willing to do things we would not normally do- we just need someone to convince us. Luckily, though American society has more recently put the outgoing and charming businessman-as-leader on a pedestal, some of the most effective leaders with charisma throughout history were introverts, including Abraham Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi, and Adolf Hitler (though he also had 'ruthless' and 'mentally-unhinged' going for him).
You are not going to become charismatic overnight, and you may never reach the heights of persuasion by personality that some people are born capable of reaching. However, you can learn how to connect with people and influence them by making personal connections and presenting your vision in an inspiring way. If you are an introvert who at times feels socially inept, remember that you are only going to get better at socializing the way the rest of us did: by practicing! Consider reaching out to a professional to help you with your communication and socialization skills. It made a difference for billionaire investor Warren Buffet!
Charismatic Leaders:
- Have a Vision they are able to Articulate
- Are willing to take personal risks
- Are sensitive to their followers’ needs
- Engage in unconventional behavior counter to norms
- Be optimistic and positively passionate; communicate with words and the whole body
- Create personal bonds that will inspire people to follow you
- Make an emotional connection between the potential follower and your vision
- Share your specific Vision for a better future and the Strategies that will attain it
- Articulate a specific Vision Statement
- Set an Example through words and actions that emphasize your (and the company’s) values
- Do not be afraid to be “out there”! Use emotions and unconventional behavior to demonstrate your commitment and inspire your followers
For more help in developing charisma, consider the following resources:
PeopleSkillsDecoded.com article How to be Charismatic
ThinkSimpleNow.com article 8 Keys to Instant Charisma