Charisma is one of the pillars of leadership: so far, everyone agrees. But, what exactly is charisma? How can it help the manager in carrying out his mission? And if you are not born “charismatic”, how can you develop this talent? Elements of response with Julien Haucourt, expert in management and communication.
What is charisma ? Everyone has their own definition. An aura, presence, self-confidence or even oral ease. Charisma is a quality that leaders possess but which remains difficult to define. In ancient Greek, kharisma means “gift, favor, grace of divine origin”. At the beginning of the 20th century, the German sociologist Max Weber defined it as the “authority of a leader, felt to be based on certain supernatural gifts, and based on eloquence, showmanship, fascination, etc. ".
On the one hand, the charisma of modern managers and leaders would therefore be linked to a quality of communicator. On the other hand, it would also depend on the perception of the interlocutor or observer of the charismatic person. A certitude : the charismatic manager exudes above all, trust. He is at ease and puts his interlocutors at ease. Generally, the charismatic person is enthusiastic, motivated, eloquent, visionary and sensitive to others. Qualities, interpersonal skills and even soft skills closely linked to leadership.
Managerial charisma, what is it for?
Charisma allows the manager to convince, guide and lead his team towards a specific objective with greater ease. It is therefore not surprising that this is the first quality sought in a manager.
And if we take managers as an example, those who have had the greatest impact on their employees are those who know how to say hello and take the time to come see them to ask how they are doing. Not in a planned strategy of benevolence, but through authenticity and sincerity of heart.
And so, André*, ex-director in industry, was recognized for his human qualities. The attention he paid to all of his employees boosted his charisma and made him an undisputed leader. His method? Meet your colleagues on the production lines, as soon as his schedule allowed. He thus maintained a strong link with operational staff and the field.
Another example: Fabrice*, transitional HR manager, is used to occupying positions which naturally arouse the distrust of employees. And for good reason: it generally intervenes in times of unrest. His method: systematically spend two to three weeks immersed with employees to better understand their daily lives. This mode of operation allows it to quickly identify the real issues and, above all, to facilitate communication with its various interlocutors thanks to a relational legitimacy.
These two leaders therefore have a first quality in common: listening, essential to good communication. The second consists of a capacity to influence thanks to recognized legitimacy.
Advantages and disadvantages of managerial charisma
Managerial charisma allowsestablish its leadership, and therefore its legitimacy. This is an undeniable advantage for any manager who wants to help his team progress. And all the more so at a time when individualism prevails, a trend which should be confirmed with the arrival of new generations on the job market.
But can managerial charisma also have disadvantages?
Beyond the ego wars that still plague all human structures too often, the real disadvantage of managerial charisma is for the employer. When a charismatic manager leaves their position for other functions or other structures, it can be difficult to replace them. Great leaders leave a mark and leave their mark on the teams and work they have been able to supervise. In an era of standardization of practices, this may seem counterproductive. It is not so.
Indeed, for overcoming the challenge of replacing a charismatic manager, the company has several options:
- First, encourage collaboration and the transmission of organizational values throughout the hierarchical structure. The objective: anticipate to mitigate the impact of the departure of a charismatic leader.
- But also, invest in employee training to ensure a reserve of potential leaders. They will be ready to take over and perpetuate the company's vision and culture.
4 keys to developing your charisma
Some people seem to have “natural” or innate charisma. But, in reality, it can be learned. Good news: everyone can develop their charisma!
1 – Values, a vision
Know where you are going and be yourself, true to your values. Vision and integrity are among the primary components of leadership, according to Brian Tracy, writer, speaker and consultant specializing in personal development. In reality, no one wants to follow a manager who seems to be navigating troubled waters.
2 – Assertiveness
Assert yourself, with respect for others.
Daniel*, marketing manager, had a lot of difficulty asserting himself and positioning himself. Finding himself between management and his colleagues, he had the feeling of being “between a rock and a hard place”. His lack of confidence and taking a stand discredited him both with his team and with his management. Training in assertiveness allowed him to find a better positioning.
Examples of assertive behavior:
- Know how to say no
- Dare to say “I”, not hide behind “we” or “we”
- Take the initiative to clarify any situation that seems complicated or tense
- To ask questions
3 – Good preparation
Prepare yourselves ! Being comfortable in all circumstances takes work and preparation. To feel confident, you must first master your subject.
The charismatic person displays a form of confidence and serenity because they know what they are talking about. There is no room for hesitation.
Some good practices to prepare well
1/ To speak in public
For example:
- Know your audience: who will your audience be, their expectations, their prior knowledge and their concerns? You will then be able to adapt your speech based on this information.
- Define a clear objective: what is the main message you want to convey? Make sure in advance that your speech has a specific objective: to convince, reassure, etc.
- Anticipate possible questions: Anticipate questions your audience might ask and prepare appropriate responses. You will be more confident and it will show.
Please note: improvisation is in preparation!
Even a speech that seems like it could be improvised requires preparation, especially when you're not used to it.
2/ To adopt the right posture
For example:
- Always put yourself in a positive frame of mind before entering a room.
- Repeating to yourself “Great! Great ! Great ! » before meeting someone. This is one of the tips from Nicholas Boothman in his book “Convince in less than 2 minutes”.
This positive state of mind will show on your face.
4 – Non-verbal communication
Posture, look… The non-verbal communication is essential for the charismatic leader. In Western cultures, most often, a shifty glance is synonymous with fear, concealment or unease. So, look at your interlocutors!
Examples:
- Émilie*, administrative manager, had difficulty managing the pressure and his emotions. Her posture was tainted, as she took on the appearance of a victim. Sophrology and public speaking work first allowed him to modify this posture, for the good of his team and everyone's performance. She also regained control of her body through breathing. Finally, his work on posture, particularly verticality, allowed him to better occupy space and gain physical and emotional stability.
- Sylvain*, expert in operational excellence, had a defect in posture and gaze which conveyed to others the sensation of an unpleasant attitude. By changing the tilt of his head when he speaks, then by working on the connection to the other's gaze, he completely changed the impression he gave when he spoke. He was thus able to regain his self-confidence.
Although opinions differ on the foundations of charisma, it is difficult for a manager to do without it today. Charismatic leadership facilitates the manager's mission, acting as a real booster of human relations. The fact remains that charisma does not appear at the wave of a magic wand. On the contrary, it relies on soft skills that are learned over time and strengthened with experience. To conclude, sincerity, authenticity and appropriate communication are the best foundations for charismatic and effective leadership.
*First names have been changed to maintain the anonymity of the participants.
