Personal charisma – Internal force needed for external strength

 Every individual is unique to have different likes, dislikes, taste, etc. The same way their behaviours and actions differ and having their way of expressions. It may be liked or followed or disliked and unnoticed by others. In general, an individual survives in society by gaining social acceptance. Every individual is having his or her charisma. ‘Charisma’ is the ability of an individual to influence others and rarely discussed concept in general. 

It is necessary to mention about charismatic leadership before discussing individual charisma for easy understanding. Some leaders have more charismatic power, in otherwise they have the ability of high influence on others which made many to accept and follow them. Religious and political leaders are falling the list. Success depends on the level of charisma what they possess. It is always misunderstood that only the leaders and managers have the charismatic ability. But the truth is that everyone is having the personal charisma.

 

Personal charisma is a constellation of complex and sophisticated social and emotional skills. Charismatic individuals affect and influence others at a deep emotional level, to communicate effectively with them, and to make strong interpersonal connections. It is more powerful since the emotion is involved. As we all know emotional aspect always acts like an essence for our actions. 

 

Components of personal charisma:

Expression of emotions: There is a spontaneous expression of feelings in charismatic individuals. They genuinely express. This allows them to affect the moods and emotions of others unconsciously. A charismatic person typically expresses positive affect and can make a difference while entering into or joining with a group.

Sensitivity: This is the ability to read others' emotions and allows the charismatic person to make an emotional connection by responding to their feelings. A person who is interested in human interactions and understands the feelings of others go into the stage of sensitiveness. It is a normal human tendency to follow someone who reflects sensitivity towards our sensitive feelings.

Control on emotions: Charismatic individuals can control and regulate their emotional displays. There is no acting or underacting in their expressions. They have good command in their emotions and project the exactly needed emotions required. 

Social interaction: Charismatic people are skilled and entertaining conversationalists. They certainly affect us with their emotional expressiveness. It is not just entertaining but there is also power in their words. Nearly all charismatic leaders are effective public speakers to pull the crowd.

 

Six measuring units of individual charisma:

Based on the following 6 points an individual’s charisma can be measured.

1.      Level of influencing others

2.      Confidence in eye contact and smile even with strangers

3.      Ability to take leadership in a group

4.      Readiness to establish relations 

5.      Respect the fellow humans

6.      Make others feel his or her presence in a group

 

Suggestions for developing personal charisma:   

• Be attentive and focus your presence: Physical presence is not enough but mental presence is much needed. People around us must feel our involvement in conversations and observations. All of our senses are expected to be more active.
• Personal physical comfort: You need to have a high level of comfort. This state can be achieved by well dressed, well-groomed and have a pleasant appearance.
• Turn off or keep away your devices: it is a human tendency to check with our mobile or tablet or other devices while communicating with the group. Turn off or keep it in the silence of our devices are the best way of making ourselves to be attentive and concentrate much on the group activity. 
• Maintain eye contact: Eye contact is the basic requirement for better communication. Eye to eye contact reflects the warmth, competency, confidence, sincerity, honesty and emotional stability. It enhances our charisma.
• Show active signs of listening: Active listening means not just listening to someone by our hearing sense. Nodding of head, smiling and appropriate facial expressions make others to feel that you are active and have the interest to listen.
• Be practical and reality-oriented as much as possible: There is no need for hiding and hyping anything. Accept your failures and be genuine in all of your efforts. That is the real influencing factor.

 

Every one of us is having the ability to influence others, that is called ‘personal charisma’. Those who are identifying their charisma and channelizing it becomes leaders and achievers. We should not stop with admiring the charisma of others but to internalise those traits within us. Identify your strengths and try to be genuine. Gain your charisma and get to be identified.