cha·ris·ma — compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others. Example: “She enchanted guests with her charisma.”
I was intrigued to read this paragraph in a Foreign Policy article the other day:
Germans tend to avoid charisma in their public figures — think of dowdy Chancellor Angela Merkel — because it is a stark reminder of how the power to win over hearts and minds can be manipulated.
The stark reminder, of course, alludes to Hitler.
I don’t know if that’s really true of the Germans, but I don’t think it’s true here in the U.S. — my guess is a lot of people want charisma in their leader. Think of FDR during the depression — “All we have to fear is fear itself.” A lot of people don’t think his policies were that effective, but he did give people hope.
What do you think of later presidents? Say, JFK, Reagan, Clinton, Obama? Do you think any of them had charisma? Do you think it was a good thing?
December 9, 2014
Charisma is ALWAYS a good thing. My god, let’s be charmed. There are enough little grey mice (albeit sweet) and wannabes (not so sweet) in this world.
JFK and Clinton were dripping with the stuff. Reagan? Not really. There was an odd sense of innocence about him, puppet on a string. Obama? Well, anyone with a big smile will worm himself into your heart. That’s not the same as charisma.
I am surprised at you, Jean: So Merkel’s “charisma” is judged on her style of clothing, is it? “Dowdy”. Wonder when I last heard a comment about a male politician’s tailoring. The woman, whether you agree with her not, is there to do a job – which she does, in that most German fashion, namely, efficiently. Not for nothing do Germans call her “Mutti” (Mama) – you know: The one who keeps the household running, the purse on a string and playroom tantrums under control.
All GREAT world leaders, politicians, revolutionaries, generals, popes, dictators and yes, even Putin, have that gold standard: CHARISMA. You will not find this funny in the least (neither do I come to think of it), but the Angel recently announced that it is useless to extract any valid comment on Putin’s politics from me because “you, Mama, are just taken with the man”. Indeed. Luckily I know this – so I take my views with a healthy pinch of salt.
There is that wonderful expression “Statesman”. (Let’s leave women out of this for the moment since there are too few specimen). They have an aura, they exude natural authority, they have stature, they stand out. Incidentally, and as an aside, they also are the best speakers. They enthuse, take you with them with their vision.
I could go on but this minute I need to decant my own charisma in a do or die fashion.
U
😀 I love it! Thanks.
About dowdy — that easily describes the way I dress. I don’t have any problem with the word. As a friend of mine used to say, “I’ll take that as a compliment.” 🙂
HA!
enjoyed ursula’s take on it all. very astute.
it’s one of those wonderful sounding words just in itself. charisma.
sounds like something an italian lover would say.
i don’t think of it so much as a politician’s thing. when i think of charisma . . .
i think of a charm that’s more illusive than most politicians. even when they’re charming . . . it always seems calculating to me. done for the response they want.
true charisma should have a sense of mystery. and people not in politics come to mind.
audrey hepburn had charisma. and kate. the other hepburn. both so different.
but both with terrific charisma.
men who’ve had it? have to agree… jfk and fdr. and absolutely . . . churchill.
i can’t believe hitler had it. historic news reels of him are all i’ve seen of course.
but he’s simply yelling constantly and flailing his arms. if they go for that. . . well.
putin always strikes me as a naughty little boy that looks like he has a secret.
fascinating topic monk!
my husband bob had it in spades. i’ve seen rooms go quiet when he walked in.
the smile… the stride… who knows? but he had it. it’s very illusive. he was genuine.
nothing fake there for show. maybe that’s the secret.
Apparently a lot of Germans did go for Hitler. I’ve never been able to figure that out.
I wish I could have met your Bob.
I am not qualified to comment on those illustrious names that you have listed but I can tell you that this charisma business is over rated. I believe that who one thinks is very charismatic may not appear so for someone else. There are very few really and truly charismatic people who universally appeal.
Certainly Gandhi was revered my millions, but in the end he was shot by a radical Hindu. And a lot of people who revered him didn’t agree with his ideas.
I grew up with a mother who taught me to be suspect of preachers or politicians with too much charisma. I’m generally an optimistic and trusting person and we all want to like the people for whom we’re voting, but she at least taught me to narrow my eyes and think about what else a charismatic leader might have up his or her sleeve.
We could add salesmen and con artists to that list too.
Charisma can be good or bad or a mix I think.
As far as I can tell from mass media JFK was the last president to have it until the current incumbent (his rhetoric is just as good as JFK’s I think); again this is judging from the mass media.
I didn’t agree with everything JFK did, but he did understand good PR. I never understood why Obama was supposed to be such a good speaker, but I was no doubt in the minority there. The press certainly went for him for a long time, but not so much any more.
charisma = is a requirement that most leaders need, just to be countered and become the leader; whether they continue to have charisma comes apparent when they get on the winners podium or off it the case may be…
I remember when Clinton was in NZ for some summit meeting, he had oodles…everytime the media was prepared to show him off to us mortals. I don’t know much about your other presidents…
Clinton definitely had it. He actually visited here and shook the hand of a lot of kids at the high school. One of my friends is a die-hard Republican but she was excited because he shook her son’s hand.