Reading: Charisma and Attitude (Video Slides)

Charisma and Attitude 

Henry Reyenga

What is Charisma?

"Charisma” is a powerful but often misunderstood word. It derives from the Greek kharisma, meaning favor or divine gift, and its root is kharis, meaning grace.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 104). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

The Challenge of Charisma

Every leader wants to have "charisma” in its modern sense, which the dictionary defines as "a special, inspiring quality of leadership.” Some people seem to have charisma naturally; others work hard to achieve it. Some have it in person but lose it other places.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 104). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Qualities of Charisma

Charisma is personal confidence as opposed to job confidence-- just the sense that someone knows what he or she is doing. Charisma is comfort. It's the ability to never appear uncomfortable.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 104). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Qualities of Charisma

It's really the ability to subtly cause others to react to you as opposed to your reacting to them. People with charisma seem to be in charge of their lives. They seem to have a goal, a purpose, a direction-- in fact, a mission.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (pp. 104-105). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Getting Charisma 

What do you believe in? Do you have goals or a mission in life? Do you project optimism? Do others turn to you for leadership? Noncharismatic people spend their lives auditioning for others and hoping they'll be accepted. Charismatic people don't doubt their ability to add value to a situation, so they move forward with their mission.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 106). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Control the Atmosphere (1)

Control of the atmosphere is control of the time and space you work in. When you control the atmosphere, you're not operating on other people's time. You set your own rate of speed for saying things. You pause and pace your rate of speaking for maximum impact. You have no fear of silence.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 111). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Control the Atmosphere (2)

You're not reacting to and feeling inhibited by physical space or people. You use gestures; you move effectively, assertively, when and how you please-- whether behind a lectern or on the factory floor.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (pp. 111-112). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Control the Atmosphere (3)

You use your eyes, you show a range of emotions, and you modulate your voice with purpose-- not like a shotgun scattered all over the room. You look directly into people's eyes, and you use your voice and eyes like a rifle.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 112). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Control the Atmosphere (4)

In a room of thirty, or fifty, or even a hundred people, you pick out anyone you want to talk to and, boom, you can direct your voice and your eyes to them. Vocally and with your eyes you can express a range of emotions, including amusement, excitement, and even anger, where appropriate. All these abilities are included in control of the atmosphere.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 112). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Controlling Your Atmosphere

You do have to look strong, confident, grounded, and happy with yourself. You must convey your thoughts and show your feelings with conviction. Humor helps, of course. The ability to not always respond in a predictable manner helps, too. But all this means taking risks, and a lot of people don't want to do that.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 113). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Controlling Your Atmosphere

If you're properly controlling the atmosphere, you're projecting a likable fearlessness-- without arrogance. The ability to do that consistently will take you beyond charisma.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 113). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Controlling Your Atmosphere

Control of the atmosphere does not necessarily mean that you do all the talking. In fact, if you learn to ask interesting questions, you can control the topics which are discussed while at the same time opening up the listener and allowing him or her to communicate with you.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (pp. 113-114). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Are You a Thermostat or Thermometer?

According to motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, leaders are thermostats-- they set the right temperature. Non-leaders are thermometers-- they go up and down according to conditions they think are outside of their influence.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 116). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

No Favoritism in Your People Relationships  

People who control the atmosphere don't change according to who's in the room. They are aware of the interests of the audience. But if they're at Windsor Castle, they don't grovel before the queen, nor do they talk down to the gardener or shoeshine man. They act comfortably, pretty much the way they would in the living room, no matter who they're with.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 118). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

A Called Person

Called Christian leaders are beyond charisma.

Philippians  3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

Attitude Test

Assess yourself and have someone else assess you:

1. How good are you at confronting other people directly when there is a problem, without biasing the confrontation in a negative manner?

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 102). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Attitude Test

2. How often do you give excuses for things that go wrong? Do you pass the buck or blame others? 

3. Are you a self-starter? Are you too passive or are you an active self-starter every day?

4. Do you gossip, spread rumors, or create problems among the work force? 

5. How well do you communicate with your fellow employees, both in giving information and in receiving information? 

6. How are you at teamwork, helping others, pitching in, and supporting the staff?

7. Are you a person who brings other people up or drags them down emotionally? What is your general enthusiasm level? 

8. Do you accept criticism gracefully-- neither overreacting or underreacting, but using the best of it to improve?

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 102). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.