Regular blog readers will remember that in a previous blog post, we discussed measuring attorneys’ KPIs (see Measuring Your Firm's Success: Here's How to Get It Right!). As that post demonstrated, obviously, not all professional skills -- especially those related to leadership -- can be captured via traditional numeric metrics.
A Calculus for Charisma
One example is the ability to mobilize a team, a firm’s external stakeholders, or potential clients through inspiration and excitement — in other words, a leader’s ability to embrace the quality of being charismatic.
I recently attempted to rectify this with a series of short videos (available on my YouTube channel HERE; if you’re interested in becoming a leader worthy of Mt. Olympus, you should subscribe to the channel, as much more unique and provocative leadership content is on its way) that analyze the charisma levels of various public figures (e.g., Nancy Pelosi, Bono, and Pope Francis) using a consistent, clear, and measurable set of criteria — and identified them as Charismatic Olympians…or something else. You will be surprised at some of the results!
My own journey from boring and bureaucratic lawyer-leader to a speaker who is, if nothing else, attention-getting is told in a fiery TEDx talk HERE; my own CLEs and Charismatic Olympian clients provide definitive proof that charisma can be learned.
But have the leaders discussed in these Videos figured that out?
The social media versions of these posts have generated surprisingly heated and passionate debate, particularly the one involving Nancy Pelosi. As some viewers pointed out, Pelosi lacks charisma BUT wields authority. In particular, one person pointed out that Ms. Pelosi was respected on both sides of the aisle in the House of Representatives and that major, transformational events--such as the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Joe Biden’s resignation from the 2024 presidential race--could not have occurred without her heavy weight lifting. While this is a good point, imagine how much MORE she could have accomplished – WITH charisma!
A Nuanced Understanding
As the TEDx talk points out, charisma — at least as I define it — promises a positive outcome. A “positive” outcome can, of course, be nuanced — and, as the discussions around the “Charismatic Olympian” posts demonstrate, understanding that what you or I define as positive may not universally be understood that way by others.
Nonetheless, dismissing someone as uncharismatic purely because you personally dislike them or disagree with their message puts you at risk of underestimating the potential influence of a business, professional, or work competitor, and lull you into a false sense of security while opportunities for you are being taken by someone else. You can disagree with their values, and still respect their charisma.
Deeper discussions on charisma have electrified CLE audiences as diverse as Lawline, Justia, and even the New York City Public Library. If you are interested in CLEs or workshops on charisma for your firm or organization, see my Speaker page. And share your own thoughts on this post below, beneath the TEDx Talk, or via email. I always love connecting. Because ...
I want your future to be EPIC!
I'm Scott Mason, The Myth Slayer. I am an attorney and former C-Suite executive, coach, speaker, podcaster, and Master of the Mythic. I graduated from Columbia Law School and have spent years drawing on the full depth of a background spanning the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to provide lawyers feeling stuck or stagnant in their careers or as leaders with a unique (and fun!) system to help them live a life that's epic.
Click here to discover more about me, my mission, and how it can help you.
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