Charisma Research
360 Feedback Survey Reveals Secret of Charisma
Some years ago an eminent behavioural psychologist (Paul Connolly) was employed by a team of HR practitioners to study whether personality or behaviour was the source of leadership Charisma. A 360-style survey was prepared and an extensive study undertaken. The survey included an ‘energy’ dimension as a subscale under Drive to measure energy-related behaviours and traits.
Leaders and managers from various companies’ high potential lists were interviewed and studied and the results revealed that behavioural characteristics dependent on a person’s energy levels e.g. speed of movement, body language, eye contact and vocal projection, factored most highly in those considered to be exceptional.
Energy-related personality qualities such as enthusiasm, lack of social anxiety, openness, extraversion, agreeableness, a desire to be in charge and self confidence were also observed in those considered to be charismatic. Yet those having these same personality traits but were lacking in energy were considered less exceptional. This led to the conclusion that there was indeed a component to charisma, separate from personality traits, which could be quantified, studied and developed – ‘Personal Energy’
After these findings and while working with potential leadership candidates, it became apparent that an individual’s energy level was in fact the charismatic component. The challenge then became: How can one generate and increase an individual’s personal energy, raising it to a charismatic level, and then communicate that quality in behaviour?
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