Charisma
“He
had the charm of all people who believe implicitly in themselves,
that of integration.”
John
Fowles (The Magus)
Are
you aware of charisma? Whether you think of that word or not,
you can't help being drawn to it. Charisma means “favor freely
given” or “gift of grace.” It is something that one is either
born with, or not. It cannot be taught, or bought, or won. When a
person, or a place, is filled with such attractiveness that we are
naturally drawn to them, or it, that is charisma.
Another
word for charisma is charm. It is an intangible quality. Interestingly, it
doesn't require beauty so much as it requires a bit of mystery, a
little intrigue. We are fascinated by a person who seems to have a
cachet about them that we can't quite put a finger on. We are charmed
by a place that feels familiar and comfortable, yet also arouses
questions in us—what is its history, who arranged this
place to make it so inviting, what would I like to do here? For both person and place,
we never want to leave. In other words, we are captivated. If
someone, or someplace, lacks charisma, no matter how beautiful or
intelligent, we feel bored, disinterested.
Natural
born leaders have charisma. They combine deep knowledge of a subject
with intense passion for it because it matters to them, and people
naturally follow. Authentic leaders exude confidence, not by blustery
rhetoric, but because confidence is intrinsic to who they are. They
are typically quiet, unassuming, and speak the same with, about, and to
everyone they meet. They have a strong sense of self, and are not
easily swayed. They feel solid because their personality and spirit
are integrated; they possess what we call “presence.” They are
not egotistical.
It
is human nature to be drawn to charismatic people—whether
benevolent, or not. The same charm that easily and naturally leads,
is also capable of leading in a corrupt way. We must ask ourselves
these questions: Who benefits most from this leader? Do I trust
him/her? Would I feel comfortable in her/his presence? Would I be
received, and respected as a person by him/her?
The
world needs authentic leaders right now. Let's be thoughtful in our
choices.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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