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Commentary

The short self-administered test that precedes this is designed to help
senior executives to consider their tendency toward charismatic leader-
ship. Research suggests that although charisma is not an essential factor
in leadership it is important and if, in Tom Peters’ words: “You need to get
everybody to the barricades when the chips are down” or worse, “build
bridges under the waterline”, there are situations where it is perhaps vital.

It is often demonstrated that for any one successful charismatic leader
beloved by the media there is at least one quiet, pragmatic, even self-effac-
ing leader who is no less successful. The important factor then is, as is
always the case in business, to play to your strengths and not to try to
appear to be something that is uncomfortable for you as an individual.

This instrument will not only help you to establish confidently whether
you are a charismatic leader, it will also provide you with proven informa-
tion and research findings that will enable you to develop a suitable game
plan for effective leadership whatever your personality.

Characteristics of the charismatic leader

A leader is charismatic if he or she has all or most of the following abilities:

n To think quickly in a volatile situation.
n To think effectively in a fast changing environment.
n To take effective action in complex situations.
n To inspire followers to overachieve in the face of overwhelming

odds.
n To take real enjoyment and satisfaction from pursuing important

goals.
n To instil in all their people a belief that they can win, regardless of

the forces lined up against them.
n To walk the talk of success even when outcomes are by no means

certain.
n To ignore the trivial and irrelevant and focus on outcomes and

goals.
n To identify what is important in complex situations.
n To deploy people and resources to leverage strengths rather than

mitigate weaknesses.
n To acquire and use essential competitive intelligence.
n To create a business-driven environment of “life-long learning –

just-in-time”.
n To relate knowledge and skills acquisition clearly to the vision,

mission, goals and values of the business.

92 Key management questions