Thankful for Sources of Power, 4 of 5

Let’s continue to explore the five sources of power by Joann M. Eisenhart, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Human resources, Facilities and Philanthropy at Northwestern Mutual, who studied the topic in her doctoral dissertation, The Meaning and Use of Power among Female Corporate Leaders.

Power Source No. 4: Personal Qualities
Key to Success: Charismatic leaders communicate clearly and with intent.

Have you ever been so inspired by hearing someone give a speech or a presentation that you’d do almost anything to get to know them better or work with them? As you think about that experience, ask yourself a question: aside from their message (which may have been  intellectually stimulating or aligned closely with your personal beliefs), why did you find yourself drawn to them? Many great leaders possess intangible personal qualities that cause people to want to follow. Charm. Personality. Charisma. Whatever it may be called, this ‘presence’ acts like a magnet, and since the dawn of time charismatic leaders have achieved great things based on their ability to inspire.

In Eisenhart’s study, over half the women who were interviewed said they, at times, drew power from personal qualities such as charisma. “There’s nothing wrong with tapping into the power of your personality to get things done,” said Eisenhart. “The challenge comes when leaders use their charisma to make up for a lack of expertise, credibility or vision, or to take advantage of others.”

British author David Straker put it this way: “The values of a charismatic leader are highly significant. If they are selfish and Machiavellian, they can create cults and effectively rape the minds…of the followers. If they are well-intentioned towards others, (charismatic leaders) can elevate and transform an entire company.”

Leverage Personal Qualities

Charismatic leaders take many forms. From the quiet allure of Mahatma Ghandi to the fist-pumping action of a coach on game day, leaders of all styles use their charisma to inspire others. Your personality can be one of your greatest assets if you use it in a way that’s genuine to you and positive for your situation.

Clearly articulate who you are and what you believe. Charismatic leaders are focused. To effectively tap into your personal qualities as a source of power, have a point of view, define your beliefs and live in accordance with them.

Power Source No. 5 to be continued…

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