While reading about charisma, all I kept thinking about was whether or not I know someone who matches the numerous definitions. The common themes of \u201cthe charismatic individual\u2019s ability to attract attention, to communicate effectively, and to affect followers at an emotional level\u201d seem to create a picture that is some how very explicit, yet elusive (Riggio 3). Charisma, without a clear definition, has a connotation of unattainability for the average person in my mind. To have enthusiasm and to be self-confident and responsive to others, amongst the other characteristics common to charismatic individuals, alone as qualities is not rare. But, for one to possess each trait in a combination that results in someone being attractive, in more ways than one, to large groups of people seems to call for the stars to align perfectly. And beyond simply being charismatic, to be a charismatic leader calls for even more situational aspects to unfold perfectly to develop.<\/p>\n
The ideas of elusiveness surrounding charismatic leadership echoed many of the ideas surrounding the Great Person Theory, specifically the nature versus nurture argument. Within the Great Man Theory, I highly agree that a leader is made in part due to their situation. For example, the text by David Cawthon points to Martin Luther King and what his career would have turned out to be without the Civil Rights Movement. Would he have \u201cremained an obscure minister in the South\u201d (Cawthon)? This similarly themed question could be asked on the topic of charismatic leaders as well. Without an interaction between the followers and the charismatic leader, would all charismatic characteristics emerge? Riggio suggests that the answer to this question would be \u201cno\u201d, as he references twin studies by Richard Arvey that suggest leadership in general is \u201c2\/3 \u2018made\u2019 and 1\/3 \u2018born\u2019\u201d and points to a project performed by the University of California that effectively taught people to increase their natural charisma. Certainly, people are born with at least a few of the seven main characteristics associated with charisma. However, it seems clear to me that it would be easy to fake other unnatural traits in the public eye when no one can truly know the full story behind another individual. As we said in class, Barack Obama appears to be an incredibly eloquent speaker, but he could be puking back stage before and after the speech for all we know. Charisma, by lack of definition, has left me to still wonder if I have ever personally met an individual with such a power \u201cdivine gift of grace\u201d (Cawthon).<\/p>\n
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While reading about charisma, all I kept thinking about was whether or not I know someone who matches the numerous definitions. The common themes of…<\/p>\n