For the last few months I have been highlighting specific principles and behaviors of Leadership Charisma. Each of those past articles can be accessed through the newsletter archive. This month summarizes and ties it all together.
The principles of Leadership Charisma are WIIFM and the Charismatic Equation. WIIFM – What’s In It For Me. Essentially that principle states that leaders who are seen to be charismatic in the eyes of their people are those who make it their business to always know precisely what it is that interests and motivates their people. The Charismatic Equation states that the extent to which you are perceived as being charismatic is directly proportional to the extent to which people either feel or fare better after each interaction with you. These two principles are the foundation for the six key behaviors we identified: Communication; Tailoring Your Vision; being a Beacon of Positivity; displaying Energy and Enthusiasm; Recognizing the Greatness in Others; and the Power of Belief in People. Collectively they give us the definition of Charisma “... a special quality of leadership that captures the popular imagination and inspires allegiance and devotion.”
It is striking to see how closely parallel Charisma is to Employee Engagement “... a heightened emotional connection that an employee feels for his or her organization, that influences him or her to exert greater discretionary effort in his or her work.” Charisma and engagement are two sides of the same coin!
If you are interested in learning more about Charisma and Engagement we have two free offers this month. One is a Self Leadership Charisma assessment that you can complete in a few minutes online and learn how charismatic you see you yourself. If you would like to have this free personal information simply send an e-mail to info@peakpathways.com and within a few days you will receive an invitation to complete the online assessment. The second offer is for a free case study of how Peak Pathways’ client Woodmen of the World has increased employee engagement since 2008. More information along with details for requesting that are in the Featured Case Study article below.
Also we are happy to announce that early in 2012 we will begin Leadership Charisma group coaching for individuals who want to meet regularly with a coach and trusted peers from other organizations to develop leadership skills while also giving feedback and support to one another to succeed in meeting the challenges of leading people. Specific information will be released in the next few weeks however if you or someone you know would like to be one of the first to have an opportunity to participate please send an e-mail to info@peakpathways.com
Enjoy celebrating the holiday season and make 2012 a wonderful year in all respects!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Power of Belief in People
We have been highlighting Leadership Charisma since April and will conclude the series next month with a summary of the key principles and behaviors that are fundamental to it. This month brings us to the last of the specific behaviors that make leaders charismatic – belief in people.
A critical factor in driving a leader’s charisma is the extent to which they believe that the people who work for them are capable of great things. Charismatic leaders always let their people know that they KNOW that each one of them is capable of great things – they let each of them know that they can see the greatness in them.
A leader’s expectations of their people have an enormous impact upon their performance. All modern research says that one of the critical factors shaping how people perform in real life is very directly and strongly affected by the expectations that their leaders have of them – if you set and communicate high expectations for each of your people they will generally raise their performance to meet these expectations.
People will tend to stretch themselves to meet the expectations that a respected leader has of them. This is why Dale Carnegie suggested that you could get the best from people by ‘Giving them a high reputation to live up to'.
This brief quotation from Leadership Charisma says it perfectly – “develop positive expectations of your people and everything you do or say, consciously and subconsciously, will reflect those expectations: raising the self-esteem of each and every one of them, and in turn their expectations of themselves – which is also critically important.”
This is because the research also shows that people’s expectations of themselves and their opinions of their own capabilities are amongst the greatest predictors of their actual performance.
When a leader cultivates a genuine belief in the ability of all of his or her people to achieve at a much higher level than they do now, or even at a higher level than they previously believed they could, then he or she automatically raises those people’s views of themselves – their self-esteem soars and this triggers higher performance than was previously possible.
As they begin to perform at a higher level, then their expectations of themselves are raised even more, driving their performance even higher again.
Bottom line: if you have positive expectations of all of your people then, consciously and unconsciously, you will continually transmit those expectations and support your people in raising their performance and self-esteem.
A leader who makes his or her people feel that they are capable of much more than anyone else has ever made them feel is irresistibly charismatic – and drives the engagement that results in the productivity and organizational success that only charismatic leaders enjoy.
A critical factor in driving a leader’s charisma is the extent to which they believe that the people who work for them are capable of great things. Charismatic leaders always let their people know that they KNOW that each one of them is capable of great things – they let each of them know that they can see the greatness in them.
A leader’s expectations of their people have an enormous impact upon their performance. All modern research says that one of the critical factors shaping how people perform in real life is very directly and strongly affected by the expectations that their leaders have of them – if you set and communicate high expectations for each of your people they will generally raise their performance to meet these expectations.
People will tend to stretch themselves to meet the expectations that a respected leader has of them. This is why Dale Carnegie suggested that you could get the best from people by ‘Giving them a high reputation to live up to'.
This brief quotation from Leadership Charisma says it perfectly – “develop positive expectations of your people and everything you do or say, consciously and subconsciously, will reflect those expectations: raising the self-esteem of each and every one of them, and in turn their expectations of themselves – which is also critically important.”
This is because the research also shows that people’s expectations of themselves and their opinions of their own capabilities are amongst the greatest predictors of their actual performance.
When a leader cultivates a genuine belief in the ability of all of his or her people to achieve at a much higher level than they do now, or even at a higher level than they previously believed they could, then he or she automatically raises those people’s views of themselves – their self-esteem soars and this triggers higher performance than was previously possible.
As they begin to perform at a higher level, then their expectations of themselves are raised even more, driving their performance even higher again.
Bottom line: if you have positive expectations of all of your people then, consciously and unconsciously, you will continually transmit those expectations and support your people in raising their performance and self-esteem.
A leader who makes his or her people feel that they are capable of much more than anyone else has ever made them feel is irresistibly charismatic – and drives the engagement that results in the productivity and organizational success that only charismatic leaders enjoy.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Recognize the Greatness in Others
Leadership Charisma suggests many new and insightful ways to lead people in ways that get them more engaged with their work. This month however we highlight one of those behaviors that most people know is essential to good leadership – recognizing the actions of those who work for you. But do you know why it works?
There is one key reason that charismatic leaders get such great results from
something as simple as making a point of recognizing when their people do a good job – and it is all to do with chemistry. Our amazing brain chemistry plays a large part in the effectiveness of recognition. When you give one of your people praise or recognition – and the higher the level of recognition the better – it triggers a release of the ‘feel good’ chemical Dopamine into their brains, increasing their sense of pride, wellbeing and pleasure.
Providing recognition primes your people's brains to understand that repeating the behavior that triggered the recognition will result in even more praise, which in turn results in further pleasure enhancing doses of Dopamine into their brains.
For the charismatic leader one of the most powerful ways of activating the ‘charismatic equation’, and making people feel good about their work and organization, is simply providing recognition in a genuine and authentic manner.
There is one key reason that charismatic leaders get such great results from
something as simple as making a point of recognizing when their people do a good job – and it is all to do with chemistry. Our amazing brain chemistry plays a large part in the effectiveness of recognition. When you give one of your people praise or recognition – and the higher the level of recognition the better – it triggers a release of the ‘feel good’ chemical Dopamine into their brains, increasing their sense of pride, wellbeing and pleasure.
Providing recognition primes your people's brains to understand that repeating the behavior that triggered the recognition will result in even more praise, which in turn results in further pleasure enhancing doses of Dopamine into their brains.
For the charismatic leader one of the most powerful ways of activating the ‘charismatic equation’, and making people feel good about their work and organization, is simply providing recognition in a genuine and authentic manner.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Energy & Enthusiasm
Since April each month I have highlighted the key principles of Leadership Charisma – WIIFM and the Charismatic Equation; and a few of the specific behaviors that make leaders charismatic – communication, vision and positivity. The series continues this month by considering the behavior of energy and enthusiasm.
You’ll occasionally meet some energetic and enthusiastic people who are not charismatic, but you’ll never meet a charismatic person who is not energetic and enthusiastic. The charismatic’s seemingly boundless energy, the perpetual motion that sees him or her take more decisive action, get more done and display more enthusiasm than anyone else, is hugely attractive.
Energy and enthusiasm are fundamental elements of charisma. To become charismatic you will need to master them.
Look what happens when you’re with someone enthusiastic. You automatically tune in and immediately start mimicking that person’s mood and behavior – psychologists call it ‘mood contagion’. You have unconsciously decided that you like what you see and how he or she feels, and you set yourself up to get some of that ‘feel-good’ factor for yourself.
Remember how the ‘charismatic equation’ said that you are charismatic if people feel better after interacting with you? Tap into your natural enthusiasm and you’ll infect all of your people with the positive energetic buzz that comes from that enthusiasm.
For any leader enthusiasm is critical – for a charismatic leader seeking to engage his or her people to the maximum it is absolutely indispensable.
If you want to learn more about Leadership Charisma and how you can become eligible for a free copy of the book, contact us at (402) 332-3031.
You’ll occasionally meet some energetic and enthusiastic people who are not charismatic, but you’ll never meet a charismatic person who is not energetic and enthusiastic. The charismatic’s seemingly boundless energy, the perpetual motion that sees him or her take more decisive action, get more done and display more enthusiasm than anyone else, is hugely attractive.
Energy and enthusiasm are fundamental elements of charisma. To become charismatic you will need to master them.
Look what happens when you’re with someone enthusiastic. You automatically tune in and immediately start mimicking that person’s mood and behavior – psychologists call it ‘mood contagion’. You have unconsciously decided that you like what you see and how he or she feels, and you set yourself up to get some of that ‘feel-good’ factor for yourself.
Remember how the ‘charismatic equation’ said that you are charismatic if people feel better after interacting with you? Tap into your natural enthusiasm and you’ll infect all of your people with the positive energetic buzz that comes from that enthusiasm.
For any leader enthusiasm is critical – for a charismatic leader seeking to engage his or her people to the maximum it is absolutely indispensable.
If you want to learn more about Leadership Charisma and how you can become eligible for a free copy of the book, contact us at (402) 332-3031.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tailor Your Vision
Remember the WIIFM principle of Leadership Charisma we discussed in April? People are concerned first and foremost about their own needs and, in tough times that means their jobs, financial and career security; security for their families’ futures and other self interests. That principle is fundamental to this month’s topic of behaviors that make leaders charismatic.
The charismatic leader develops the ability to take the vision they have of where their department or organization must go and convert it into a form of message or concept that is meaningful to each and every one of his/her people.
To do this you’re going to have to learn a lot about the people who work for you – you cannot tailor the way you present your vision unless you know what is important to each and every one of your people – their own career and life goals, their needs, their particular strengths and challenges. The book Leadership Charisma provides a step-by-step strategy for getting close
enough to each of your people that you can do this effectively.
The key message is: to be charismatic and engage your people fully you must know each of those people deeply enough to be able to tailor your vision so that its realization can be seen to lead to each of your people realizing their own vision.
If you want to learn more about Leadership Charisma and how you can become eligible for a free copy of the book, contact us at (402) 332-3031.
The charismatic leader develops the ability to take the vision they have of where their department or organization must go and convert it into a form of message or concept that is meaningful to each and every one of his/her people.
To do this you’re going to have to learn a lot about the people who work for you – you cannot tailor the way you present your vision unless you know what is important to each and every one of your people – their own career and life goals, their needs, their particular strengths and challenges. The book Leadership Charisma provides a step-by-step strategy for getting close
enough to each of your people that you can do this effectively.
The key message is: to be charismatic and engage your people fully you must know each of those people deeply enough to be able to tailor your vision so that its realization can be seen to lead to each of your people realizing their own vision.
If you want to learn more about Leadership Charisma and how you can become eligible for a free copy of the book, contact us at (402) 332-3031.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Communication
The last 2 posts I've highlighted the key principles of Leadership Charisma – WIIFM and the Charismatic Equation. Now with those principles firmly in mind we will focus on the specific behaviors that make leaders charismatic.
Of all of the behaviors that the research showed were at the heart of charisma and success, communication was by far the single most important skill set. Looking at the totality of what it took to be seen as charismatic, to be seen as someone that others would willingly follow, more than 40% of that impact was generated by good communication.
Think about that: if all you mastered in this life were great communication skills then you'd already be more than 40% of the way to having a charismatic impact upon all of those you encounter. Nothing will get you further or faster in this life than great communications skills.
As a leader the most important communication is one to one communication, because that’s where you’ll spend more of your time with your people. Following are some of the most important things to get right in your everyday communication with your people.
First, we can all find as much negativity as we need in the people and the environment around us – especially in challenging economic times. No one needs it from the person who leads them – and nobody will be moved charismatically by a pessimistic or negative outlook. Keep your communications positive and upbeat – always take the most positive ‘can do’ approach in any situation, however dire. People want and need positive leadership.
You’ve heard it a million times: the best communicators are the best listeners. Learn to listen - genuinely. But don’t just passively listen, make it a point to actively seek ideas, opinions and suggestions from those who work for you – there is nothing with a greater charismatic impact than the good feeling that comes from a respected leader seeking your ideas and opinions. And, when you get ideas or feedback that you don’t like, be prepared to hear people out. Ensure that it is always possible to raise concerns or contrary opinions – without fear of negative consequences. Some of the best ideas will not be your own – so it is equally important to be open to others’ constructive rejection of your ideas or approaches.
For more information about Leadership Charisma attend the upcoming Executive Briefing or call us at (402) 332-3031.
Of all of the behaviors that the research showed were at the heart of charisma and success, communication was by far the single most important skill set. Looking at the totality of what it took to be seen as charismatic, to be seen as someone that others would willingly follow, more than 40% of that impact was generated by good communication.
Think about that: if all you mastered in this life were great communication skills then you'd already be more than 40% of the way to having a charismatic impact upon all of those you encounter. Nothing will get you further or faster in this life than great communications skills.
As a leader the most important communication is one to one communication, because that’s where you’ll spend more of your time with your people. Following are some of the most important things to get right in your everyday communication with your people.
First, we can all find as much negativity as we need in the people and the environment around us – especially in challenging economic times. No one needs it from the person who leads them – and nobody will be moved charismatically by a pessimistic or negative outlook. Keep your communications positive and upbeat – always take the most positive ‘can do’ approach in any situation, however dire. People want and need positive leadership.
You’ve heard it a million times: the best communicators are the best listeners. Learn to listen - genuinely. But don’t just passively listen, make it a point to actively seek ideas, opinions and suggestions from those who work for you – there is nothing with a greater charismatic impact than the good feeling that comes from a respected leader seeking your ideas and opinions. And, when you get ideas or feedback that you don’t like, be prepared to hear people out. Ensure that it is always possible to raise concerns or contrary opinions – without fear of negative consequences. Some of the best ideas will not be your own – so it is equally important to be open to others’ constructive rejection of your ideas or approaches.
For more information about Leadership Charisma attend the upcoming Executive Briefing or call us at (402) 332-3031.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Charismatic Equation
In last month we started providing a summary of a few of the key charismatic behaviors a leader must master to have a consistent charismatic impact upon his/her people. Earlier this year we introduced new research on Leadership Charisma and the book by the same title and last month we also started a series of Executive Briefings about it.
The first key principle we discussed last month was WIIFM – What’s In It For Me. Essentially that principle states that leaders who are seen to be charismatic in the eyes of their people are those who make it their business to always know precisely what it is that interests and motivates their people. We’ll explore that more in the next few months when we look at some specific charismatic behaviors – for now let’s look at the second key principle: the ‘charismatic equation’.
The charismatic equation is a really very sensible and straight forward principle that explains what gives a person charismatic appeal.
'The extent to which you are perceived as being charismatic is directly proportional to the extent to which people either feel or fare better after each interaction with you'.
In simple terms: if I feel better or do better as a result of spending time with you, then you are charismatic for me. That’s it! Charismatic leaders make it a point to ensure that every interaction with direct reports is focused upon raising the self-esteem, self worth and capabilities of their people.
In future months as we work through the specific behaviors of leadership charisma bear these two principles in mind. You’ll see that they underpin and explain why each and every one of the charismatic leader behaviors is so effective in raising a leader’s charisma.
The first key principle we discussed last month was WIIFM – What’s In It For Me. Essentially that principle states that leaders who are seen to be charismatic in the eyes of their people are those who make it their business to always know precisely what it is that interests and motivates their people. We’ll explore that more in the next few months when we look at some specific charismatic behaviors – for now let’s look at the second key principle: the ‘charismatic equation’.
The charismatic equation is a really very sensible and straight forward principle that explains what gives a person charismatic appeal.
'The extent to which you are perceived as being charismatic is directly proportional to the extent to which people either feel or fare better after each interaction with you'.
In simple terms: if I feel better or do better as a result of spending time with you, then you are charismatic for me. That’s it! Charismatic leaders make it a point to ensure that every interaction with direct reports is focused upon raising the self-esteem, self worth and capabilities of their people.
In future months as we work through the specific behaviors of leadership charisma bear these two principles in mind. You’ll see that they underpin and explain why each and every one of the charismatic leader behaviors is so effective in raising a leader’s charisma.
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