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Charisma

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The word charisma (from the Greek word χάρισμα (kharisma), "gift" or "divine favor," from kharizesthai, "to favor," from kharis, "favor") refers to a rare trait found in certain human personalities usually including extreme charm and a "magnetic" quality of personality and/or appearance along with innate and powerfully sophisticated personal communicability and persuasiveness; in short, charisma is often used to describe a seemingly uncanny ability to charm or influence people. It refers especially to a quality in certain people who easily draw the attention and admiration (or even hatred if the charisma is negative) of others due to a "magnetic" quality of personality and/or appearance. Though the term as it stands is extremely difficult to define, other similar terms/phrases related to charisma include: [[wiktionary:grace|grace]], exuberance, equanimity, mystique, positive energy, "right stuff," joie de vivre, charm, personal magnetism, personal appeal, "electricity," and allure, among many [others][Thesaurus -- alternate terms for "charisma"]. Usually many of these qualities must be present within a single individual for the person to be considered highly charismatic by the public and their peers.

Charismatic individuals generally project unusual confidence, calmness, assertiveness, authenticity, and focus, along with superb communication skills. To the early Greeks, charisma was said to be "a divine favor/gift" or "gift of grace," implying that this "divine quality" was an inborn trait; today however, many believe it can be taught and/or learned despite the persistent inability to accurately define or even fully understand it.

Contents

The psychology of charisma

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most charismatic movie stars in recent memory; her profound presence on the silver screen has enthralled generations of movie-goers
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Marilyn Monroe is one of the most charismatic movie stars in recent memory; her profound presence on the silver screen has enthralled generations of movie-goers

The study, recognition, and development of charisma in individuals is of particular interest to sociologists/psychologists, popular (usually national) politicians, public speakers, actors, movie-stars/movie-producers, casting directors, pop-music stars, trainers/coaches targeting the upper-echelons of the business community (CEOs), and academics or others involved in leadership studies or leadership development, among others. [The Psychology of Charisma] -- from Psychology Today magazine

In some cases highly-extroverted and brutally controlling charismatic leaders have used their personal charisma in extremely destructive and damaging ways throughout human history, for example, Adolf Hitler and Jim Jones.

The German sociologist Max Weber defined charismatic authority to be one of three forms of authority, the other two being traditional (feudal) authority and legal or rational authority. According to Weber, charisma is defined thusly:

a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which s/he is "set apart" from ordinary people and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These as such are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as divine in origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader.* Dr David Boje, [Charisma lecture notes], Leadership & Society course at New Mexico State University College of Business Administration & Economics, Retrieved 28 July 2005.
Demosthenes, one of the most prominent Ancient Greek orators, practicing powerful speech, assertiveness, and sharp communication skills
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Demosthenes, one of the most prominent Ancient Greek orators, practicing powerful speech, assertiveness, and sharp communication skills

Pierre Bourdieu did not have a very different position from that of Weber's, but he stressed that a leader has charisma only if other people accept that s/he has it. Bourdieu argued that charisma usually depends on an "inaugural act" such as a decisive battle or moving speech after which the charismatic person will be regarded as such.

Charisma has also been studied as a set of behaviors/traits; for example, a modern psychological approach posits that charisma is basically aggregative, a conglomeration of distinct personality traits that meld well in certain individuals to form the broad quality known as charisma. Theatrically, charisma can actually be performed on-stage and in films, and is encapsulated in verbal and non-verbal communication.

Professor Richard Wiseman says that a charismatic person has three attributes:

  1. they feel emotions themselves quite strongly;
  2. they induce them in others;
  3. and they are impervious to the influences of other charismatic people. [Charisma: a step-by-step guide] -- from BBC News
Steve Jobs is known for being very charismatic, even to the point that he can easily change an individual's mind to side with his own ideas. See reality distortion field for more information.

Other uses

Charisma is also commonly referred to in role-playing games, being one of the abilities of a character. Charismatic ability modifies dice rolls concerning communication, persuasion, lying, inspiring trust in others, etc.

The current NWA World Heavyweight Champion Christian Cage is the self-proclaimed "Captain Charisma."

See also

As \"divine favor\"

As \"personal appeal\"

References and external links

 

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