How to Coach Yourself and Others Essential Knowledge For Coaching | Page 490
Charismatic Leadership
Assumptions
Charm and grace are all that is needed to create followers.
Self-belief is a fundamental need of leaders.
People follow others that they personally admire.
Style
The Charismatic Leader gathers followers through dint of personality
and charm, rather than any form of external power or authority.
The searchlight of attention
It is interesting to watch a Charismatic Leader 'working the room' as
they move from person to person. They pay much attention to the
person they are talking to at any one moment, making that person feel
like they are, for that time, the most important person in the world.
Charismatic Leaders pay a great deal of attention in scanning and
reading their environment, and are good at picking up the moods and
concerns of both individuals and larger audiences. They then will hone
their actions and words to suit the situation.
Pulling all of the strings
Charismatic Leaders use a wide range of methods to manage their
image and, if they are not naturally charismatic, may practice
assiduously at developing their skills. They may engender trust through
visible self-sacrifice and taking personal risks in the name of their
beliefs. They will show great confidence in their followers. They are
very persuasive and make very effective use of body language as well as
verbal language.
Deliberate charisma is played out in a theatrical sense, where the leader
is 'playing to the house' to create a desired effect. They also make
effective use of storytelling, including the use of symbolism and
metaphor.
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