Charismatic Leadership: 8 Habits and Traits of a Great Leader
People management is a key element in the success of a company, and the individuals who are in superior positions have an important role in the progress of this and how a work team feels and performs.
However, there are many types of leadership, and each of them has its peculiarities, its pros and cons. Some work and fit better in some contexts and others in different contexts. In this article we will talk about a type of leadership that has given a lot to talk about in recent times: charismatic leadership.
Types of leadership
Each person is different, and when it comes to relating to others we all have our own way of behaving. According to experts, there are different types of leadership. The most important are the following:
- laissez-faire: This type of leadership is also called delegative leadership. It is a style in which employees usually have great freedom, and the leader only intervenes when necessary.
- Autocratic: It is a style of leadership in which the leader has great power. He is a directive leadership and all the decisions are made by him. If you want to know more about its advantages and disadvantages, you can read our article “ Autocratic (or authoritarian) leadership: advantages and disadvantages”.
- Democratic: Also known as a participative leader, because it involves subordinates in decision making.
- transactional: A results-oriented leadership style. Ideal for commercial teams.
- transformational: Also known as charismatic, motivates and makes team members go in the same direction.
In this article we will delve into charismatic leadership, if you want to know more about the others, you can read our article “Types of Leadership: The 5 most common types of leaders”
Characteristics of charismatic leadership
Charismatic leaders have a great capacity to influence their subordinates and other individuals, and establish work dynamics in which everyone wins. They are called charismatic leaders because they have exceptional charisma and care about staying true to their followers. Some of the most outstanding values of these leaders are honesty, altruism or ethics.
However, What makes these leaders different and highly valued today? What are its main characteristics? In the following lines we explain it to you.
1. They connect with the emotions of subordinates
If something characterizes this style of leadership, it is the emotional connection that exists between superiors and subordinates.. Despite the tension and competitiveness that can be found in the world of work, these leaders create closeness with their subordinates, because they care about their needs. They become their followers without the need to impose anything.
2. Communication
Charismatic leaders possess exceptional social skills as well as communication skills.. In this way they manage to connect with subordinates, who feel valued and respected. This is also key to motivating workers, and studies suggest that charismatic leadership helps reduce the stress levels of employees, improve their well-being and make them feel part of the organization.
3. Self-confidence
In order for others to respect us, we must trust ourselves.. These leaders enjoy a high self-confidence and security so they are able to dialogue with others in a calm manner. Others perceive that self-confidence, something that is very attractive in interpersonal relationships.
4. Motivation
Charismatic leaders make workers feel good in the company and aligned with the values and the objectives of the organization, so that workers remain motivated and get the best out of themselves, thus increasing their performance and that of the company.
5. Active listening
Active listening is a characteristic of charismatic leaders, who not only listen to the workers but also allow them to express their concerns. Charismatic leaders pay attention to workers' needs and concerns, because they understand that happy workers are more efficient.
- Related article: “Active listening: the key to communicating with others”
6. Creativity
Charismatic leaders are creative people, who tend to have a vision beyond limits and fears.. That is why they lead the way of their followers and are able to influence them. When a problem arises, they understand that they must solve it and they face it. They see opportunities to grow in crises. In addition, this type of leadership encourages the creativity of its employees.
- Related article: “The 14 keys to boost creativity”
7. Vision
These leaders fit perfectly in the changing environment because they have a great vision of the future. and provide stability to companies. Being creative, they also find solutions even in transformational situations. They are leaders who motivate and inspire others, and empower employees in the face of change. A study by Universum revealed that 41 percent of the managers surveyed looked for their companies to be leaders with the ability to empower employees.
The success of this type of leadership is due to their vision of the future and their ability to communicate it.
8. Determination
Having the vision is something that many times can arise in the minds of many people., but not everyone moves from thought to action. Charismatic leaders possess a great capacity for determination, set specific objectives and work to achieve them together with the team.
The charismatic personality
In addition to these specific characteristics of leaders, charismatic people exhibit a series of traits and habits. If you want to know them, you can read our article “Charismatic Personality: 14 Traits and Habits of Unique Individuals”.