Truth About Managing People ... and Nothing but the Truth, The

Chapter 31. Charisma Can Be Learned

There is an increasing amount of evidence that supports the value of charisma in leadership. Many of our most visible leaders, both past and present, have stood out for their charismatic qualities. These would include individuals such as John F. Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Steve Jobs, Mary Kay Ash, Ted Turner, Richard Branson, Margaret Thatcher, and Bill Clinton.

What differentiates these charismatic leaders from their noncharismatic counterparts? Common characteristics of charismatic leaders include self-confidence, a strong vision that proposes a future better than the status quo, the ability to articulate the vision, strong convictions in the vision, and the willingness to enact radical ...