Have you ever met someone you’re inexplicably drawn to? And it’s not their physical appearance or clothes that you are attracted to, but there’s something about them that is just irresistible.
That’s charisma at work.
As the ancient Greeks describe it, charisma is the “gift of grace”. It is the elixir possessed by the world’s most-liked leaders. But contrary to popular belief, charisma is not in-built. People spend years on end perfecting the art of charisma. However, what they don’t realise is that it’s not what they wear, but what they say and how they lead.
There are several leadership and strategy online courses that can help you understand the behavioural attributes of a charismatic leader. Till you decide to enrol in one, take note of some helpful tips to become a charismatic leader.
- Don’t Lead Just by Authority
No one likes a know-it-all, boss-me-around kind of leader. So level yourself up, connect with your team from various angles, and don’t just boss them around. Perhaps, you share a similar interest in cricket, football, political views, or something that can help you bond. You don’t have to make your team feel like you’re the boss all the time. Charismatic leaders have the ability to connect with people, even at a personal level.
Instead of focusing on your work demands all the time, take their feedback as well. Let them know their thoughts and concerns are being heard. You don’t have to do this all the time. Doing this exercise even occasionally can make your team members feel like their leader is not just here to lead but also to listen and learn.
- Keep Things Light, But Proactive
One of the top and most impressive qualities of a charismatic leader is that people don’t get tense or afraid when they walk into a room. Instead, they have the ability to ease everyone in the room. They know how to keep the tension at bay while remaining productive. They know how to balance productivity and fun time.
Using humour is a great way to get through to employees. You can also share a story wherein you are the victim; it helps them realise you are fun and can take a joke or two. Leadership and strategy online courses can help you achieve organisational goals and lead properly, but keeping things light yet proactive, that’s something you have to adapt.
- Confidence is one of the Best Qualities of a Charismatic Leader
Confidence in a leader is magical; it makes them believe in what you are saying regardless of your doubts, which is why this quality is pivotal for leaders who have a strong vision and mission to follow. Furthermore, charismatic leaders also possess humility. They’ll be okay with the fact that they are not the smartest in the room or doesn’t know something their team does. This way, they need to empower others to speak their mind, which, as a result, instil confidence in the team as well.
If you strive to thrive in this domain, consider enrolling for leadership and strategy online courses from accredited institutions. XLRI is offering one such leadership program you can rely on. The strategic management XLRI leadership program focuses on helping aspiring, and established leaders build prowess in skills to inspire, empower, and motivate others.
- Then Comes Honesty and Trustworthy
Nothing repels followers the way a lie does. Once you lie to your team, it will be next to impossible to regain their trust. And great leaders are always honest; they don’t need to swear on something to prove their point. Their followers know, through experience, that their leader is speaking the truth. They are dependable and trustworthy; their team knows that they can trust their leader not just with job work but also challenges they are facing personally.
The strategic management XLRI leadership program not only help you understand what strategic management is and why you need it, but also how to become a leader people want to follow, respect, and trust. After all, that is what a leadership program aims to do, help managers and leaders become agile and trustworthy, one that people can depend on.
- Followed by Strong Commitment to Organisational Goals
Charismatic leaders lead by example; they are well aware that their commitment to organisational goals drives their team’s motivation. They don’t care about getting their hands dirty. In fact, charismatic leaders are ready for whatever it takes to get the job done. This deep sense of dedication and hard work portrays them as fair leaders, teaching the same sense of motivation among their team members.
- Make Others Feel They are the Most Important Person in the Room
Charisma is not about making yourself look like the smartest person in the room. It is about blocking out distractions (Hint: Put your phone away) and make others feel as if time has stopped, and they are all that matter. They make people feel confident about what they are saying, which ultimately leads to future interactions.
Why do you think people respect and adore Steve Jobs? Even though he is no longer alive, people tell tales about what a great leader and inventor he was. Why do you think stories are being told about A.P.J Abdul Kalam? He was not just a powerful leader, but one that made head turns when he entered the room. And it wasn’t the way he looked or dressed, but the way he spoke and connected with the people.
Over to You…
First of all, throw the notion that “charisma is a natural trait” out the window. Once you’ve done that, scour the internet for credible leadership and strategy online courses. These courses will not only equip you with the knowledge of strategic management components but also the traits of a charismatic leader. One such comprehensive online course you can rely on is the strategic management XLRI. Offered in collaboration with Talentedge, this course aims to help leaders bring out the best in themselves and their team.