Who is a charismatic person and can they become?

What makes relatives of such disparate people as Gandhi, Hitler, Lenin, Trotsky, Che Guevara, Yulia Tymoshenko, Napoleon, Martin Luther King? Despite absolutely different characters, peaceful or warlike plans, millions listened to them, they lit with their ideas, inspired them to fight, carried on. Such people are said to have the charisma of a leader, although not all of them craved the glory and honors of the leader. Followed by adherents, they had their zealous opponents. But the glory is also momentary, as we see by the incandescent and dying stars of show business, and they are remembered about such persons many years after their death.

Charisma is the word that came to us from the Bible. The Apostle Paul speaks of the true servants of God as people who are condescending to the grace of God, the Holy Spirit. And from the Greek this term is translated exactly as "grace." Initially, it defined a Christian worthy of the title of apostle of God, that is, one who lives according to the Gospel commandments. Did this mean in the first centuries of the spread of Christianity, that for the granted grace and holiness there are crowds of admirers and they have fan clubs, like modern football teams? By no means. But was it embarrassing the apostles? Not at all!

And here we find the first quality inherent in this category of people: confidence and purposefulness. "Do not think that you will say - the Spirit of God will speak through you" - so says the Scripture. A charismatic person is like a fired arrow: he is all aimed at achieving the goal, and by this his persistence he infects others. He does not doubt for a moment the righteousness of his goals, in their nobility, and shows a willingness to go to the end. For a wavering, insecure character, such a person is like a beacon in a raging sea.

Obsessed with his idea, a charismatic person can give it eloquently. Such people are not tongue-tied, although there are good speakers, devoid of any charisma. And, most importantly, the idea that a fiery tribune proclaims may not be born in his head at all, but be the fruit of the reflection of wise (but not endowed with the ability to convince) advisers. Such speakers "cling" to listeners at an emotional, deep level. They do not moralize, they do not teach, they inspire and infect with their enthusiasm. Being in front of the crowd, these individuals feel their audience. They can be populists, but do not go with the majority: they just talk with people in a language they understand. And they are not afraid to voice their opinion, even if it differs from the generally accepted one.

A charismatic person feels "at ease" in any situation. He does not fall into depression and confusion from unexpected problems, and even in case of failure he does not give up. He can honestly admit his mistakes, but immediately call on others to follow him anyway, because he knows where to go. In extreme situations, such individuals retain the full presence of the spirit and make the right decision. They radiate full confidence, and it beckons. At the same time, charismatic from the authoritarian leader is distinguished by the fact that the former gives the opportunity to manifest itself to others. He does not say: "Watch and listen!", But convinces: "Let's go to the goal together!"

Since the sociologist Max Weber has applied the term "charismatic person" to political leaders, many training programs have appeared, promising to grow "masters of doom" from quite ordinary and even shy and uncommunicative personalities. We forgot the former meaning of the word "charisma" - "God's gift." You can overcome shyness, develop communication skills, and teach to keep on people by training and exercises. However, a simple obsession, unshakable confidence, the ability to raise in others an emotional wave and lead to a cherished goal can only be obtained from nature or from God, whatever.