Introduction
The term ‘charismatic’ includes everything from romantic love to appreciation for a prominent figure’s outstanding ability. The phrase has been used to denote the gift of heavenly grace, a religious or secular leader’s mystical charisma, and their followers’ power. Charm allows people to connect with people on a deeper, more emotional level through their words and actions. Meeting new people is more fruitful when using other networking techniques. Charismatic people are regarded to be emotionally intelligent. As a person grows in emotional intelligence, one will be able to comprehend their own and others’ emotions better. A company’s philosophy and the individuals it employs can benefit meaningfully from a charismatic leadership. The paper discusses charismatic leadership and its effect.
Charismatic Leadership and Its Effect
Charismatic people portray several aspects, the first being a gift for conveying their ideas clearly and persuasively. They can speak confidently and command the attention of everybody who hears them. Therefore, they can inspire and motivate those around them, making them excellent candidates for leadership positions (Meslec et al., 2020). For one to exist in leadership, personality plays a critical role, which means that charismatic leadership involves an essence of an individual. Besides, communication, persuasion, and force of character are all used in charismatic leadership to inspire people. Charisma can be taught, therefore opposing the Popular belief that leaders are born (Sy et al., 2018). For this reason, it should be considered quite an achievement to train adults to be better leaders since leadership can be learned.
According to conventional thinking, the most exemplary leaders have the most remarkable ability to captivate their followers. Charismatic leaders have a wide range of abilities when it comes to inspiring and motivating others. Thus, their subordinates view them as more effective than less charismatic leaders. A leader’s ability to accomplish goals may be hampered if the person displays excessive charm.
Additionally, persuasion is another aspect that charismatic leaders utilize in their leadership. Persuade can only be gained through charismatic leadership when a leader uses their charisma to influence others (Ozgenel, 2020). Charismatic leaders are essential in organizations experiencing crisis and are attempting to go forward due to their competence to connect with individuals deeply. Therefore, confirming it as the most effective leadership style, which several notable leaders have adopted in the past. Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Adolf Hitler are well-known examples of charismatic leaders. Sy et al. (2018) affirm that it is essential to understand the roles of charismatic leaders, how teams create jobs, and how the public works together to motivate itself.
When it comes to persuading others, charismatic leaders use various techniques. According to Meslec et al. (2020), tests of Two Interventions, charismatic leaders’ influencing strategies depend on the content of what they say and how they say it. Charismatic leaders can communicate effectively with their followers using various methods, including verbal and nonverbal. They have the power to influence a follower’s emotions and cognitive processes. Charismatic leaders employ a variety of language signals to convey their messages. Two types of metaphors are utilized to assist people in understanding what they are reading, increase their emotional response to a message, and help them remember what they have read. The third method is to use stories, which aid in understanding and recalling a message (Sy et al., 2018). Also, they demonstrate to their followers that they have the same level of moral conviction as they do by demonstrating their knowledge of right and evil.
Charismatic leaders can inspire their followers to believe in a better future. It is possible through their inspirational communication of a vision and their practical, dedicated actions toward that vision. Compared to other leadership styles, they have a unique ability to inspire and influence others who follow them. They are concerned about the people they lead and the world around them. They will go to great lengths to protect the interests of those they have rallied around them (Meslec et al., 2020). They are willing to put themselves in maltreatment for others to spread their message.
People are drawn to charismatic leaders who influence people to accomplish better. Leaders are generally held to a higher standard by their followers, who view them as role models (Ozgenel, 2020). In consideration of other leadership styles, they will often go above and beyond their responsibilities to help the leader achieve their goals. Adolf Hitler, for example, was a leader who used his supporters to execute a plan that was not always in the best interest of his followers (Sy et al., 2018). On the other hand, Cult leaders are known to employ such a leadership style. World-changing giants such as Martin Luther King, Jr., and Gandhi have also adopted the leadership style.
Another aspect is that they are not scared to take risks and think outside the box. Charismatic leaders have a high chance of developing novel solutions to problems. Therefore, such leaders rise to the occasion rather than succumb to it (Ozgenel, 2020). The business can benefit from its innovative ideas, resulting in a beneficial transformation if they are implemented. Charisma-filled leaders always think about the future and how they might improve it. It is clear to them what they aim for and how they will get there. By articulating the goals to coworkers, a leader demonstrates a long-term vision (Sy et al., 2018). They will notice if a person is trying to enhance the future somehow.
Employing verbal clues such as contrasts, lists, and rhetorical questions to encourage their followers to think for themselves about a solution to the problem they are trying to address is also an aspect of leaders. However, messages have to stick around in one’s head for a more extended period. For charismatic leaders, a few nonverbal cues are utilized as communication methods (Meslec et al., 2020). Nonverbally, charismatic leaders are masters at transmitting their emotional states, whether positive or negative, displaying enthusiasm and gaining support for what they say.
Charismatic leaders are also considered to use nonverbal learning cues to communicate their emotions to their followers. It is one of the nonverbal clues utilized by the follower to show their passion and concentration on specific themes through facial expressions. The tone of one’s voice serves as yet another nonverbal cue (Ozgenel, 2020). It demonstrates to the audience how an individual feels about a particular message, whether it is a favorable or a negative one. Therefore, Ozgenel (2020) has demonstrated that charismatic leadership techniques may be learned. Transformative leadership that incorporates charisma can be learned in a laboratory experiment. Sy et al. (2018) found that students who were taught how to use charismatic leadership methods and watched videos of compelling speeches improved their charismatic conduct. It has been demonstrated that by putting these charismatic leadership techniques into practice and putting them into action, one can develop charisma on their own over time.
However, despite having such significant aspects of their leadership, their authenticity is often flawed. There is a need to advocate practicing vulnerability to discomfort as a leader. To succeed as a leader, one does not have to be perfect and show strength all the time (Sy et al., 2018). On the other hand, vulnerability is at the heart of human intimacy. Having the courage to stand as a leader will make coworkers more trusting and relatable. Charismatic have the bravery to openly discuss their anxieties and concerns with their coworkers, who are probably already aware of the problem and may be going through their bouts of anxiety (Meslec et al., 2020). Being vulnerable will help a firm move forward together as a team, increasing the company’s chances of success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, some of history’s most outstanding leaders, such as Martin Luther, have been charismatic leaders and have had a lasting impact on countless people. Their power is unparalleled, and they can convey their vision so that few others can. Many others are moved by their example and motivated to take action. Charisma and other aspects of leadership may be learned, and the knowledge is critical given the role that leaders play in a company’s success. The most excellent way to understand something is to try to change it, thus having a more excellent grasp of leadership. Therefore, to be a better leader in personal life and the workplace, one needs to learn about charisma and leadership, which might make a difference.
References
Meslec, N., Curseu, P. L., Fodor, O. C., & Kenda, R. (2020). Effects of charismatic leadership and rewards on individual performance. The Leadership Quarterly, 31(6), 101423.
Ozgenel, M. (2020). The role of a charismatic leader in school culture. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 20(86), 85-114.
Sy, T., Horton, C., & Riggio, R. (2018). Charismatic leadership: Eliciting and channeling follower emotions. The Leadership Quarterly, 29(1), 58-69.