The Society for Charismatic Leadership Research & Analysis Has Been Established on the Social Networking Site, LinkedIN

For immediate release:                                                                                     

November 5, 2012

12:00PM (EST)

Atlanta, GA—November 5, 2012---The Society for Charismatic Leadership Research & Analysis (The Society) was recently formed as an online discussion group on the social networking site, LinkedIn. The objective of this group is to review the latest reports, studies, and trends on the impact of charismatic leadership on organizational development and politics. Given the closeness of the 2012 Presidential Race, in which President Barack Obama falls under the charismatic leadership model, the Society looks at issues dealing with a candidate’s level of magnetism, public speaking strengths, as well as the ability to captivate an audience’s attention through compelling ideas. The Society seeks to operate as a resource, repository, and advocate for the charismatic leadership model.

The Society for Charismatic Leadership Research & Analysis founder Edward Brown says, “I grew up in a community where charismatic personalities, who didn’t have money, connections, or education, used their personality to influence people.  Recently, I was looking for a scholarly online networking and discussion group for charismatic leadership and couldn’t find one. With Pop culture being the catalyst for all things captivating, I couldn’t understand how a leadership model made up of compelling figures and big personalities was not being included in an ongoing discussion within leadership circles. Hopefully, the Society will open up this dialogue.”

The Society is open to any interested member on LinkedIn. Members are asked to bring insightful ideas and thoughts to discussions backed by documented or commonly accepted resources.

To join or view the latest information on charismatic leadership. Visit: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Society-Charismatic-Leadership-Research-Analysis-4687312?gid=4687312&trk=hb_side_g

What's the Difference Between a Boss and a Leader?

Every leader is a boss. But every boss is not the leader. This defines the difference between a boss and a leader. The biggest difference between a boss and a leader is one. The boss is respected and obeyed because of his seniority. A leader is respected and looked up to as an example not only because of seniority but mainly because of the qualities of character and ability.

Those who aspire to become leaders must lead by example. The team must always have a firm belief that the leader will be there during every crisis. Not to fix the blame, but fix the problem. If the team members find that the leader does not follow what he preaches, they will have no respect for him. They may obey him, but the respect will be missing. Leaders gain this respect by their actions. They look and act sincerely. There is no mismatch between their words and actions. They look integral in approach and character.

To be a leader, every boss must display characteristics such as knowledge, planning, anticipation, foresight, action, result oriented approach, perspective, respect every team member, earn their respect, act as a friend and act as a mentor. This is quite a list, but if you want to become a good leader you need these qualities. This is true not only for national leaders but for persons in every leadership position in any organization. Once a person earns the respect of his team members he ceases to be only a boss and transforms into a leader.

To be a transformational leaders, visit: Charisma

Leadership Is Action... Not Position

People respond to good leadership! Period! It is in all aspects of our lives, not just business.  A mother is a leader in her home; a son may be leader of a team sport or a daughter the leader of the debate team. A group relies on the person in charge to actually lead them to success. A true leader is highly ethical, honest and respected.

In our society we have leaders and followers.  Are we born to one or the other? No! Can you hone your leadership skills? Absolutely!

The leaders that I admire seem to have all of these in place:

a) They think BIG! They don’t put a ceiling in place.  Instead, no limit is set as to how big or how much better something can be.

b) The goals are firmly set in place and the eye does not come off of it.

c) They make known to all involved the final product that they are all going for, example, if you sell widgets, it takes x number of widgets to be affluent, or you want to win that football game and ultimately the title.  Know what you’re going for.

d) They can get compliance to orders.

e) When goals are met they set new goals or raise the bar.  People will follow your lead willingly if you are honest, ethical, if you are consistent and treat them with respect.  Rewarding someone when a job is well done is always appreciated.  A good leader will also dismiss someone who consistently hinders the group or just not a team player.

You can improve your own self- respect and become an inspiration to others. How great is that!

For more information on developing your leadership skills, visit: Charisma

Are You a Leader or a Slacker?

Do you claim to be a Leader in your business or your field of expertise?  

I have noticed that many people claim to be Leaders, but I consider them Slackers instead.  A Slacker is someone that basically likes to give instruction or direction, but takes no action on advancing themselves or their business.  Does this describe you, your up-line or someone else on your Mastermind Team?  Here are some clues that might help you out.

Leader:  Praises his/her team and offers encouragement

Slacker:  Quick to find fault and slow to give praise

Leader:  Holds himself/herself to a higher standard that his/her team

Slacker:  Has a high level of expectation for his/her team but doesn’t hold

                 himself/herself to that same standard

Leader:  Leads by example and is a role model for his/her team

Slacker:  Blends in with crowd and never steps up to take a leadership role

Leader:  Has deep rooted belief in his/her business and leads new teammates

                through the growth process (learning the business and facing obstacles)

Slacker:  Convinces a person to join his/her team then pawns them off on someone

                 else or simply pushes them to the side (Referred to as “sign and drop”)

Which of these characteristics, best describes you and your teammates?  Be honest with yourself.

Just remember, that a leader must lead and nourish others through the growth process.  If he/she loses integrity and fails to take action, then this same failure mindset will ripple down to his/her teammates.  A team will duplicate their leader and their leader’s actions.

Let me ask you one last time…Are you a Leader or a Slacker?

For information on becoming a more effective leader, visit: Charisma

Leadership Training for Aspiring Charismatic Leaders

Leadership training has and always will be a significant part of organizational development.  Unfortunately, organizations are not becoming more effective with the onslaught of new leadership models, because many, if not most, fail to consider the model that best fits the personality of the manager.  There may be consensus among researchers about what components should go into a leadership program, but very little feedback on dissecting the manager’s personality and the leadership model best suited for that personality. Amisano (n.d.) asserted that an effective leadership program should have these components in the curriculum:

·         Effective Communication—Learning the essential parts of effective communicating, includes: active listening, paraphrasing, and motivation.

·         Influencing People—Enlisting positive reinforcement and persuasive techniques that inspire employees toward contributing to the mission of the organization.

·         Management—Outlining and implementing how each person fits into the structure of the organization.

·         Build Trust—Being reliable by leading with openness and competence.

·         Delegate—Sharing tasks and responsibilities that affect the long term benefits of the organization.

Although Amisano outlined the essentials for a general leadership development training program, charismatic personalities may require extensive self-study supported by the disciplines within the Humanities.  The psychodynamics of historical figures from Napoleon Bonaparte to Bill Clinton suggest that charismatic leaders have a preternatural curiosity about human nature and leadership training for aspiring charismatic leaders should focus on subjects within Liberal Arts (Literature, philosophy, history, social sciences, etc…).  Charismatic leaders are shaped and formed by their heroic deeds and need to connect with historical figures that embody their aspirations.  Specialized training for aspiring charismatic leaders should entail the following components.

---Charismatic leaders are case study driven.  The missionary zeal that charismatic leaders possess necessitates training that point to epic heroes and triumphs in history.  Reportedly, Alexander the Great was influenced by the hero in Homer’s “Iliad.” Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte were believed to have been influenced by Alexander the Great.  Training for aspiring charismatic leaders should tap into their vivid imaginations and great ambitions.  Charismatic leaders do not merely want to excel within an organization; they want to transform the industry.  

---Charismatic leaders have advanced oratorical skills. Amisano spoke about the need for effective communication skills that involved active listening, paraphrasing and motivation.  However, charismatic leaders use advanced oratorical skills, not only to arouse emotions within audiences, but to transform initiatives through direct action by employees. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. might have listened to his Civil Rights cohorts behind closed doors, but his tool for transformation came from his oratorical skills at the podium. Charismatic leaders are well versed at creating imagery that inspires and encourages audiences to achieve a mission.  Leadership training for aspiring charismatic leaders should focus on persuasive speaking.  The ability to speak with passion, clarity, and specificity are the powers that charismatic leaders possess that make them iconic.

-----Charismatic leaders are known for being visionaries.  Actually, charismatic leaders are excellent at dissecting and deciphering inefficiencies within an organization. The visionary traits attributed to charismatic leaders are often a result of compiling facts, critical thinking, and finding solutions to various problems.  The late Steve Jobs of Apple is an excellent example of a charismatic leader’s ability to discover inefficiencies within the marketplace.  By looking at the marketplace and the emerging needs of consumers, Apple’s invention of I-Tunes transformed the music industry into marketing and selling music online differently.  Leadership training for aspiring charismatic leaders should include problem solving exercises that enhance their critical thinking skills. 

Like any leadership development program, curriculum should be created that invigorates and motivates aspiring charismatic leaders to flourish where they exhibit the greatest strengths. By developing leadership training that addresses the visceral aspects of an individual, more leaders will emerge, generally, and more charismatic leaders, specifically.

References:

Amisano, C. (n.d.). Components of leadership training.eHow (Money). Retrieved from: http://www.ehow.com/list_6054344_components-leadership-training.html

For more info., visit: Charisma

As Leadership Models Go, One Size Does Not Fit All

As a proponent of the Charismatic Leadership Model, I believe many of the leadership models popularized today are overly optimistic about human nature. I’ve seen employees take advantage of managers (leaders) who were too kind and went overboard to be empathetic to employee needs. Conversely, I’ve seen managers who were despots become revered by their employees. You can never make bank on the dynamics of individuals in different social/professional settings.

I’m an advocate of first learning the culture of an environment and applying the leadership model best suited for that setting. I also don’t advocate being too “chummy” as you enter the environment. It’s better to enter very strong and later relax as the occasion calls for. To enter trying to be everyone’s friend is a recipe for disaster, particularly, when you have to tighten the screws for discipline later. There is no “one size fits all” for leadership. The personalities and professional level of employees set the stage and the leader acts accordingly.

For more information, visit: Charisma

Charismatic Leadership: Magnetic or Manipulative?

It is safe to say that charismatic leadership is an orphan in the pantheon of leadership models. Scholars and pundits alike are ambivalent as to the real value of charismatic leadership for helping build coalitions, increase revenue and ultimately encourage followers to become more empowered. Contrary to the traditional meaning of charisma as "a gift from God" or the Greek meaning "Grace in action," contemporary society often characterizes charisma as a manipulative tool to usurp the power and free will of individuals. J.W. Gibson, J.C. Hannon and C.W. Blackwell in The Journal of Leadership Studies point out that:

"There is no way that charismatic leadership is always a good thing or that it is needed in visionary organizations. It seems to be a good thing only when conditions are right and the intentions or the leader are in the best interests of the company and employees. Because of its emotional overtones and its ability to create fierce loyalty, charisma remains a dangerous construct--as capable of working evil as good. Evidence has been noted that suggests that charismatic leadership, while exciting when it happens may not be necessary for sustained growth and health of excellent companies. "1

This is assessment is a far cry from the initial account of charisma as a "gift" or "grace" noted in St. Paul's epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthian, 7:7) and man being encouraged to show his light before the world (Matthew 5:14-16). From the text, charisma is viewed as a special gift, which is individualized. Church scholar, Rudolph Sohm, maintained the concept of charisma under the religious banner until sociologist Max Weber secularized it and positioned it away from the confines of religious dogma.

All in all, it is difficult to ascertain how charisma received such a bad rap. It has scorned many, not because of its negativity, but because its overpowering energy that seems to induce codependency within adherents. No one can discount the good feelings experienced in the presence of a charismatic individual. The enchantment is remembered forever

1 Gibson, J.W., Hannon, J.C., & Blackwell, C.W. (1998). Charismatic leadership: the hidden controversy. The Journal of Leadership Studies, 5(4).

Related: Charisma

Charismatic Leadership Versus Traditional Leader Model

Research suggests that during tumultuous times a charismatic leader is better for a crisis over a more traditional form of leadership. After the crisis has been abated, a more traditional style of leadership is advised. According to a USA Today article, "Charmed, I'm sure" by Steve Bodow (12/9/02), charismatic leaders enhance profitability during economic downturns. Jay Conger, a London Business School professor and USC researcher says that the traits that allow charismatic leaders to help enhance profitability are: · A restless compulsion to challenge the status quo. The charismatic leader is most at home, and most effective, in chaos. · A clear vision within uncharted territory to explore · An ability to articulate a vision compellingly to any audience and to imbue it with a sense of great importance. · An ability to create a sense that no other person could--or would--take the same tactic. · An ability to inspire and permit those around him to do extraordinary things. The distinction between Charismatic Leadership and Traditional Leadership should be noted, because pundits are inclined to use a "One size fits all" approach to complex problems requiring more specificity. Many opponents of the Charismatic Leadership model lambast its effectiveness based on how some leaders affected the model. Charismatic dictators like: Hitler, Mussolini and Idi Amin are often referred to as icons of the Charismatic Leadership Model. Even when positive charismatic leadership has been demonstrated by the likes of: John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton or Winston Churchill, pundits often point to the personal failings of such leaders. This "Hate-fest" for the charismatic model, in part, stems from the divisive nature of the charismatic model. Leaders are either extremely loved or extremely hated. That's testimony to the visceral passion this brand of leadership stirs up. Love it or hate it, the charismatic leadership model will become a more viable interpersonal factor on the world stage as human relations and economies become more competitive and challenging. The presidential election signaled the potency of the Charismatic Leadership Model as well as its viability in a tumultuous world.

For more information, visit: Charisma

Is Charisma Important for Leadership?

While some great leaders have been charismatic, charisma is not a necessary ingredient for great leadership. Charisma is a by-product of personality predisposition and socialization, which can be a rare combination. That's the good news! If society had to rely on pure charisma to advance its cause, its cause would be dead. Acronyms and quick quips may be tools used by charismatic personalities, but they don't lead to becoming more charismatic--just the appearance of it. Patterns of charismatic personalities usually entail early social ostracizing, a sense of mission built on a perceived injustice, ego and an inquisitive nature steeped in recreating reality. This is a far cry from standing erect, smiling confidently and remaining calm under pressure. If the manifestation of charisma made people charismatic, it would be a simple process and then charisma wouldn't be so rare.

For more information, visit: Charisma