Drucker on Leadership: New Lessons from the Father of Modern Management

Chapter 18. Charisma as a Motivator

Charisma motivates. Look at the 2008 election. Obama's charisma first propelled him to his party's candidacy over Hillary Clinton, who was considered a shoo-in, despite the fact that Obama was a one-term senator and had limited national experience, and despite Clinton's senatorial experience, name recognition, and contacts. One formerly doubtful television reporter came away from one of Obama's early campaign rallies and gushed on national TV, "I've been Obamaized!" The same charisma overwhelmed the much-respected but less charismatic John McCain, and helped Obama claim nine million newly registered Democratic voters who ultimately helped him win the election.^[173]

Perhaps because of his experience with Nazism ...