Before we delve into the secrets of charisma, it may be a good idea to try to define it.
Just what is charisma? The dictionary tells us, among other things, that it's the free gift of grace.
It has nothing directly to do with brains, talent or looks.
You either have it, or you don't.
It's the indefinable ability to rise above the ordinary person and to hold that person, or those people, in thrall by the strength of your personality.
Sometimes known as the 'X' factor of success, any one of us may exhibit charisma if we're talking about something in which we're particularly interested.
Mind you, it helps if our audience is interested too! But if they are, then our enthusiasm may become infectious and provided we're able to speak fluently, without a load of 'ums' and 'ahs,' we too may hold our audience spellbound.
Ronald Riggio, professor of leadership and organizational psychology at Claremont McKenna College in California, tells us that; "Charismatic people are essentially brilliant communicators.
" And who can argue with that? Whenever you think of charisma, John F.
Kennedy jumps straight into your mind.
One problem with charisma, though, is that it isn't always the province of the good and honourable.
The most heinous crooks and dictators can have charisma.
I remember watching a television programme once about this mass murderer, a most frightful character who'd killed goodness knows how many people without any conscience at all.
But he was incredibly charismatic.
You found yourself actually liking the wretch.
Why? I really had to kick myself to remind me of what he was.
Some big companies make it a practice to hire charismatic C.
E.
Os, but this often backfires.
It may be good for the company's image; this charismatic leader talking to the shareholders, particularly if there's been dissension in the ranks, then yes, that can be extremely useful, but when it comes to the bottom line, this charismatic leader may not have a clue about how to turn a company round into a profitable entity.
Another factor that can show charisma is the ability to impress other people at a distance.
You can watch one person walking across the parking lot and think nothing of him.
Another will walk across, and you'll think; 'Now him I don't like.
' There's no definable reason for this.
The poor chap may be perfectly pleasant, but somehow he gives off an aura of unpleasantness.
Yet another you may see, and you're immediately impressed, indeed to such a degree that you want to go up to him, shake his hand and strike up a conversation.
Why? It's imponderable.
The psychologists can probably explain it with a load of convoluted reasoning, but are we really any closer to knowing the secrets of charisma?