Do you have charisma?

What would you rather have, IQ or charisma? President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo posed this question last week before members of the Chinese-Filipino Business Club in defense of her leadership style amid criticisms that she lacked the "it" or the charisma quotient that came in abundance to her ousted predecessor Joseph Estrada.

Charisma is a special quality of leadership that captures the popular imagination and inspires unswerving allegiance and devotion. A person who has some divinely inspired gift, grace, talent, magnetic charm, or appeal is labeled charismatic. This is the dictionary concept of charisma, and generally it fails to capture the real meaning of this leadership trait. As Richardson and Thayer say, "Yes, it can ignite imagination and inspire devotion. It’s a divine gift or magical property given to the few and the blessed." It’s more than movie star sex appeal, which fascinates and beguiles. Its impact upon others will reveal that charismatic leadership had to be more than charm, and definitely less than an outpouring from heaven upon the chosen. What is it then?

The word charisma was originally used in a religious context, which described communicating through one’s soul, being set afire by the Holy Spirit. It quickly moved into popular secular use when Max Weber, founder of modern sociology, borrowed the term to define a type of leadership trait which enables the leader to touch the hearts and minds of people.

It’s true that some people seem to be born with charisma. It seems to come forth so naturally. But according to Andrew DuBrin, author of the book Personal Magnetism, "Everyone has hidden reserves of charisma waiting to be tapped and developed. And even better, many components of charisma, like other human behaviors, can be learned." Individuals who have it often get more successful than those who don’t, and as top positions in any public or private organization become fewer and more competitive, the lack of charisma can be a career buster.

There are innumerable reasons as to why, for example, one political candidate beats another in an election contest, or one company vice president gets promoted to the presidency over another. The elusive yet potent power of charisma is the one factor that can spell the difference. It is not the "be all" though of success, since a huge dose of it will not transform a dimwit into a Bill Clinton, an Oprah Winfrey, or a Jack Welch. However, a healthy serving of personal passion, self-confidence, insight, vision, ambition, and dynamism, can enhance and multiply the effectiveness of every talent and skill of people working in your organization.

Politics And Charisma

We live in a celebrity-driven society, where a Sharon Cuneta gets to endorse multiple brands simultaneously because of her unique power to pull in the needed market shares and sales; where a matinee idol can reign supreme, and get the chance to sit in the highest office of the land; where an action star can embellish his image to the point he becomes governor of a major province; where celebrities become political candidates, and the candidates themselves become celebrities. The power of charisma cannot be underestimated. It is one constant in Philippine politics. People primarily vote for candidates they like, those they would most likely to have gin or beer with.

Politicians are acutely aware of the importance of charisma. How else could one explain the rise in popularity of "senatoriables" who sing and dance in rallies; or kiss babies in campaign sorties; or shake the hands of fish vendors in busy public markets in provincial excursions; or appear as a cast in a popular sitcom, or a widely followed soap opera. And we most often ask, are we looking for great leaders or fabulous entertainers? Are we after form or substance?

Charismatic leaders can reap plenty of rewards. DuBrin points to some of the benefits. Better relationships are developed, since people generally like to be identified with winners. They gravitate towards them. The thinking is that winners energize and motivate those who surround them.

Recommendations from charismatics are more readily received and implemented. People are more predisposed to listen well to the hard evidence contained in an argument when the person delivering the message is warm and likeable. Personal magnetism makes reason appear even more believable.

Charisma elevates self-confidence. The more people like you, the more likely they are to compliment you, and sing your praises to others. The power of positive "word of mouth" gets you a booster shot for self-esteem.

Charismatic leaders share personality traits and behavioral skills that allow them to succeed where others fail. Score the President and yourself against this listing developed by Jay Conger of the Leadership Institute, University of Southern California. LA, USA:

1. Excellent listening and information gathering skills. They are comfortable dealing with a wide range of individuals to get new ideas, and spending precious time learning about opportunities that can benefit their followers.

2. Creative visioning. They are, in the words of Conger, "meaning makers" since they create a sense of purpose for their organizations by appealing to the heart and soul, rather than the mind and the bottom line. All the values they preach, they have to live out in their actions. Otherwise, people will not believe and follow them.

3. Effective communication skills. They have a way with words expressed in a positive, convincing tonality. They often use stories, symbols, metaphors, and analogies to make messages more vivid and memorable. When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo spoke during the 20th anniversary of the Makati Business Club, she described herself as one who "floats like a butterfly and sings like a bee," and that "like Ali, I am on the right fighting, and will be slugging away for the full 15 rounds," she made an analogy of her leadership style, sans the bland language, overused buzzwords and statistics. And that brought the house down.

4. Genuine empathy. It doesn’t mean giving a hug or a pat on the back, but putting yourself in another’s shoes, and looking at the problem through that person’s perspective. It means finding a common ground or a way to identify with others.

5. Infectious optimism. Being grumpy limits a person’s inspirational appeal. Charismatics must at times point out the true negatives in a situation. Yet even during the worst adversity, magnetic individuals will deliver a positive message about working out a situation. At some point, they may feel like moaning about poor results, but they quickly bounce back and find ways to improve the situation.

6. Power to empower. Charismatic leaders make everyone, regardless of rank, ethnic background, economic status or gender, feel important. They are skilled at unleashing and directing human energy. Their idea of empowerment is building up the self-confidence of people working with them, so that they feel good about who they are, and what they are doing. Bureaucratic rules are lessened, if not totally eradicated, and when appropriate, mentoring and coaching are strongly enforced.

7. Unconventional behavior. Charismatics question the status quo and thrive on innovation and change. This can be beneficial to all since it showers attention on the leader, and can make a successful effort seem almost heroic because the leader went against the cultural grain.

There is no denying that good looks, a resonant voice, impeccable manners, and an expensive wardrobe can enhance the charisma factor, but they are accents not essentials Just about everyone has some degree of style and charm, but some people just seem to wear and project them more easily than others. Developing your personal brand of charisma requires work, and the resolve to dive into some new waters. Despite your best efforts, you may always be five steps behind Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Sharon Cuneta, Mike Velarde or Jaime Zobel de Ayala, but five steps behind these distinguished charismatics is not bad at all.

How is your charisma quotient?

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For comments and topic suggestions, e-mail bongo@vasia.com or bongo@campaignsandgrey.net.