Attract and influence - the psychology of charisma

Discussing the topic that is being prepared for publication, we in the editorial office tried together to name the names of charismatic public people. To our surprise, the conversation immediately turned into a heated emotional discussion. It was as if something very personal resonated in each of the participants. Why does this phenomenon cause such vivid reactions in each of us?

What does it mean to be charismatic

Energy to influence

Be charismatic – means to be able to awaken sympathy and enthusiasm in the people around you, to receive emotional support and unlimited credit of trust. Apparently, it is difficult to agree on who exactly has this magical quality, which politicians or public figures, which actors, athletes or musicians. There are some qualities that all charismatic individuals have in common.

• Many people think that energetic people have charisma. Having an excess of energy, charismatics give it to people, raising their emotional level.
• These people are able to capture the attention of the audience, infect thousands of people with emotions and ideas.
• They are charming and artistic.
• They know how to listen, understand and imbue the problems of others, and at the same time they are able to be so convincing that they will utterly smash opponents and their opinions.
• They arouse boundless faith in their own abilities in the hearts of people.
• All experts who study the phenomenon of charisma agree on one thing: charisma is a tool that allows a leader to unconditionally influence a group.

The gift of winning attention

The word "charisma" in Greek means "mercy, divine gift". In ancient Greece, this was the name given to people who had the gift of attracting attention to themselves. It is as a property of the image of a person who has the recognition of the general public that social psychologists define charisma. In other words, this is the character of a particular person, his actions, way of thinking and image. Although there are examples in history when only appearance was enough. According to legend, the conquistadors who arrived in America received the recognition of the Indians thanks to… to your beards! The fact is that local residents have almost no facial hair – and in the bearded Europeans who came to them, the redskins saw gods.

The leader appears where he is expected

Possession of high energy, strong internal and successful external data does not yet ensure charisma. For the manifestation of charisma, like fertile soil for a seed, an environment is always needed. Moreover, it is correct from the point of view of the place and time of application of the qualities of the "star". In other words, a charismatic leader is born in that society and at the time when he is expected – often at critical stages in the development of society. This explains the abundance of charismatic politicians in countries with unstable economies and bright idols among teenagers.

It is necessary that the data of the future charismatic star coincide with the demands of the society to which its influence will extend. Sometimes it happens spontaneously. More often – especially nowadays – with the help of PR companies, political technologies, production moves.

This is reminiscent of a well-prepared performance, where a charismatic actor becomes, on the one hand, a conductor of the directors' idea, relaying it to the masses, and on the other hand – catcher of people's emotional response.

How to become charismatic

According to the majority of psychologists, it is impossible to grow and build one's own charisma. It is believed that there is some innate predisposition to charisma. In addition, due to the instability of this property of our image, it can effectively manifest itself in one “place-time-environment” system, and not work in another. Instead of striving to "catch charisma by the tail", one should strive for conscious control of one's own behavior, development of intuition and the ability to interact with other people. However, some elements of charisma can be identified and worked on.

• Fullness with meaning. Have an idea and believe in it with all your heart. A person burning with a dream has a "plan" that must be conveyed to people, and a conviction in his own rightness, infecting others with faith in his capabilities.
• Sociability. Ability and desire to communicate – one of the essential qualities of a successful leader. Many public people specifically work on themselves in this direction.
• Emotional Intelligence – the ability to connect with people on an emotional level, to feel the situation and mood of the environment, as well as the ability to express the understanding and closeness that inspire people so much.
• Brightness and expressiveness. A charismatic leader knows where to speak loudly and where to whisper, where to get close and where it is wiser to keep a distance. The ability to convey emotions through tone of voice or facial expressions can be learned in public speaking and acting courses.
• The ability to manage one's own emotions – extraordinary quality of a charismatic leader.

There is nothing impossible or magical about the listed properties and skills, is there? And even if, while working on them, we do not become charismatic, this work will raise the quality of communication with people around us to a new level – which means it will bring invaluable benefits and pleasure.

Source estet-portal.com