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The Charismatic Leader

Charisma is the intense magnetic charm that reaches people on an emotional,

non-rational level, inspiring efforts and undertakings beyond the norms of
ordinary life. Dyan Macon.
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People tend to think of leaders as people who influence others to follow by
the power of their charismatic personality. We think, for example, of John F.

Kennedy’s press conferences or Martin Luther King’s stirring speeches.
The “charismatic” leader is able to articulate a compelling vision that
responds to the needs and aspirations of the followers. Through their
relationship with the charismatic leader, the followers gain feelings of
power and build their self-esteem.
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Actually, leaders don’t have charisma; followers give leaders charisma.

People tend to ascribe charisma to a leader who appears to meet their
ideals and their needs. Charismatic leadership relies on the twin effect of a
leader's personality and a strong belief by followers that this special person
is the one to lead them in their hour of need. Charisma can be based on
anything from physical appearance to past actions and successes.

Charismatic leaders are generally very skilled communicators. They tend
to be individuals who are both verbally eloquent, but also able to
communicate to followers on a deep, emotional level. These charismatic
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leaders use effective communication with their followers to gain their trust,
and then influence and persuade them to follow. Charismatic leaders also

pay a great deal of attention to scanning and reading their environment,
and are good at picking up the moods and concerns of both individuals
and larger audiences. They then will try to hone their actions and words to
suit the situation.
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41 Dyan Machan. “The Charisma Merchants,” Forbes, January 23, 1989, pp..100-101.
42 Richard Lynch. Lead! How Public and Nonprofit Managers Can Bring Out the Best in Themselves and
Their Organizations (San Francisco CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1993), p. 6.
43 Ronald E. Riggio, “What Is Charisma and Charismatic Leadership?” Cutting-Edge Leadership, October
7, 2012.
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http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/styles/charismatic_leadership.htm.
David Kolzow 40