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https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/relational-leadership

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Knowing which leadership style is most effective for your team can make a big difference in employee morale and development. Relational leadership emphasizes building relationships in the workplace and using those relationships to work toward a common goal. Understanding more about relational leadership can help you decide if it may help you in your management or team leadership. In this article, we explore what relational leadership is, its five principles, the benefits of implementing relational leadership and five helpful tips for implementing it.

Related: The Concept of Leadership Explained: Cultivating Effective Leadership

What is relational leadership?

Relational leadership is a model of leadership that suggests the effectiveness of a leader and relates their ability to develop positive relationships within an organization. It also relates to the process of people working together to achieve the greater good or accomplish a positive change in the workplace. Relational leaders use empathy skills to empower their teams to build strength in their current skills and develop new skills. The goal for a relational leader is to instill professional growth in their employees through positive social development and growth to achieve a common goal.

Related: 10 Common Leadership Styles (Plus How To Find Your Own)

Principles of relational leadership

There are five components of relational leadership:

Ethics are the moral values that drive a leader to make a decision or to generate an outcome. Relational leaders typically have deep moral values and ethical approaches to decision-making procedures. Relational leadership styles use ethics to shape leadership behaviors to ensure the leader exemplifies behaviors that can motivate their team members, allow team members to feel included and assist them with feeling trust amongst each other. A relational leader often leads by example and sets the baseline for how their coworkers behave in order to effectively reach their goal.

Being purposeful means having a commitment to each individual goal while also discovering commonalities with other team members. A relational leader may identify the common goals, organize the objectives and help anticipate the outcome of these goals. An effective relational leader involves all team members in the process of visualizing an outcome, helping them feel a sense of importance, purpose and inclusivity.

Inclusivity

A relational leader promotes inclusivity, especially where team member's ideas and opinions are concerned. A relational leadership style uses all employee perspectives to identify what changes to make and considers all questions and concerns employees may have before implementing a change or decision. An inclusive leader creates an environment where all team members can affect a business positively. The relational leader is the liaison that helps those team members make a difference.

Process orientation

Process orientation refers to how a group communicates and functions as a team. An effective relational leader expresses that the process of achieving a goal is just as valuable as the outcome of achieving a goal. A relational leadership style ensures all team members understand their roles, have a clear sense of purpose and know what tasks to complete in order to meet their goals.

Empowerment

In order to be a successful relational leader, empower your employees to make their own decisions and openly communicate ideas and opinions. Involve your employees in group decisions and allow them to feel empowered in the decision-making process. Giving employees this level of empowerment helps give them a sense that they're contributing to the greater good, which may increase their motivation and productivity in the workplace.

Related: 9 Benefits of Empowering Employees

Benefits of relational leadership

Here are some benefits of using relational leadership in your workplace:

Strengthens team morale: Choosing to empower your employees helps them feel valued and essential to projects and company goals. Team members become loyal leaders with a vested company interest to whom you can effectively delegate tasks.

Develops teamwork: In a relational leadership model, your employees play cooperative roles to attain a successful workplace goal. You can establish open feedback and communication to understand if employees are in roles suitable for their skills.

Increases change: Using relational leadership can accelerate change because it establishes a foundation for your employees to work toward a common goal. By achieving smaller common goals through teamwork, the group can visualize larger common goals.

Tips for implementing relational leadership

Here are five helpful tips to keep in mind while using a relational leadership style:

Get to know your employees

Establish individual time frames to meet with each of your employees and understand their personal goals and career goals. Ask them about themselves and how they're currently feeling in the workplace and outside of the workplace. Showing that you care about your employees, not just their work, can establish a personal relationship which may help motivate an employee to complete work efficiently and effectively.

Think of yourself as a person with influence

Building confidence is key while becoming an effective relational leader. Leaders with confidence may also have influence over their peers. Influential leaders easily guide their coworkers through steps to success, and coworkers may feel more trusting of their leader because of this confidence.

Find meaning in your relationships

Identifying meaning in your relationships may help you become empathetic to your peers. If you understand the value of the relationship you're cultivating, you can also use that knowledge to develop the skills of your peers. Using empathy can build a deep connection between coworkers, which may motivate them to deliver exceptional results while working toward a goal.

Be authentic and truthful

One of the best ways to promote trust in the workplace is by having an authentic and truthful approach to working with employees. Share company goals and values with the entire team, be open with your motives to reach those goals and allow your team to share their insights. Being authentic can help you follow through with your commitments to the team by allowing the team to trust that you have the company's and their best interest in mind.

Related: How To Improve Employee Relations

Show appreciation for your team

As a relational leader, it's important to recognize how your employees have contributed to the team. This may boost employee morale, which may lead to higher productivity levels, profits and common goal achievements. Some ways you can express appreciation include:

Hosting a catered luncheon

Designing employee of the month awards

Creating incentives for completing tasks, such as a pay raise or bonus

Offering an extra day of paid time off

Praising workplace performance

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What Is Relational Leadership? (Definition and Tips)

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Knowing which leadership style is most effective for your team can make a big difference in employee morale and development. Relational leadership emphasizes building relationships in the workplace and using those relationships to work toward a common goal. Understanding more about relational leadership can help you decide if it may help you in your management or team leadership.

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2016/11/15/9-differences-between-being-a-leader-and-a-manager/?sh=45b3fb164609

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When you are promoted into a role where you are managing people, you don't automatically become a leader. There are important distinctions between managing and leading people. Here are nine of the most important differences that set leaders apart:
1. Leaders create a vision, managers create goals.
Leaders paint a picture of what they see as possible and inspire and engage their people in turning that vision into reality. They think beyond what individuals do. They activate people to be part of something bigger. They know that high-functioning teams can accomplish a lot more working together than individuals working autonomously. Managers focus on setting, measuring and achieving goals. They control situations to reach or exceed their objectives.
2. Leaders are change agents, managers maintain the status quo.
Leaders are proud disrupters. Innovation is their mantra. They embrace change and know that even if things are working, there could be a better way forward. And they understand and accept the fact that changes to the system often create waves. Managers stick with what works, refining systems, structures and processes to make them better.
3. Leaders are unique, managers copy.
Leaders are willing to be themselves. They are self-aware and work actively to build their unique and differentiated personal brand. They are comfortable in their own shoes and willing to stand out. They're authentic and transparent. Managers mimic the competencies and behaviors they learn from others and adopt their leadership style rather than defining it.
4. Leaders take risks, managers control risk .
Leaders are willing to try new things even if they may fail miserably. They know that failure is often a step on the path to success. Managers work to minimize risk. They seek to avoid or control problems rather than embracing them.
5. Leaders are in it for the long haul, managers think short-term.
Leaders have intentionality. They do what they say they are going to do and stay motivated toward a big, often very distant goal. They remain motivated without receiving regular rewards. Managers work on shorter-term goals, seeking more regular acknowledgment or accolades.
6. Leaders grow personally, managers rely on existing, proven skills.
Leaders know if they aren't learning something new every day, they aren't standing still, they're falling behind. They remain curious and seek to remain relevant in an ever-changing world of work. They seek out people and information that will expand their thinking. Managers often double down on what made them successful, perfecting existing skills and adopting proven behaviors.
7. Leaders build relationships, managers build systems and processes.
Leaders focus on people - all the stakeholders they need to influence in order to realize their vision. They know who their stakeholders are and spend most of their time with them. They build loyalty and trust by consistently delivering on their promise. Managers focus on the structures necessary to set and achieve goals. They focus on the analytical and ensure systems are in place to attain desired outcomes. They work with individuals and their goals and objectives.
8. Leaders coach, managers direct.
Leaders know that people who work for them have the answers or are able to find them. They see their people as competent and are optimistic about their potential. They resist the temptation to tell their people what to do and how to do it. Managers assign tasks and provide guidance on how to accomplish them.
9. Leaders create fans, managers have employees.
Leaders have people who go beyond following them; their followers become their raving fans and fervent promoters - helping them build their brand and achieve their goals. Their fans help them increase their visibility and credibility. Managers have staff who follow directions and seek to please the boss.

Are you a manager or a leader?

Join me! I'm delivering a special Forbes Webinar with Kimberly Horner: The New Rules for Personal Branding. We'll share everything you need to know so you can build your brand for the digital age. It's on September 12 th at noon EDT. Register here.
William Arruda is the cofounder of CareerBlast and co-creator of The LinkedIn Profile Type Indicator (LPTI) which measures your LinkedIn profile likability and credibility.

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9 Differences Between Being A Leader And A Manager

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When you are promoted into a role where you are managing people, you don't automatically become a leader. There are important distinctions between managing and leading people. Here are nine of the most important differences that set leaders apart: 1. Leaders create a vision, managers create goals.

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https://www.edutopia.org/emotional-intelligence-school-counselors

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For many students, their school counselor is their emotional and social guide and confidant. Here are some activities that counselors can initiate to assist students, staff, and parents in the critical area of emotional and social intelligence.

Organize parent education programs.

Throughout the country, local schools and parent organizations have joined forces to host Parent Universities -- daylong events during which parents have the opportunity to attend workshops on such issues as communicating with adolescents, managing stress, and supporting the social-emotional and educational needs of children. Consider hiring translators to accommodate the language needs of non-English speakers in your community.

Adopt a bully prevention program.

According to the American School Counselor Association, one out of every four children is bullied. These youngsters and teens suffer both physical and emotional abuse. They miss school, fear harassment in the bathroom and on the playground, and often feel they have nowhere to turn for assistance. Comprehensive school-based anti-bullying programs have been very successful in raising student, teacher, and parent awareness of the causes and effects of this all-too-common phenomenon. For information and resources for both parents and school staff, visit The Anti-Bullying Network.

Institute service-learning projects.

Participation in school and community-based service projects benefits students academically, socially, and emotionally. The National Youth Leadership Council Web site features resources for schools interested in starting a service-learning component, including examples of model school-based programs.

Start an advisory program for middle schoolers.

Proponents of small-group advisories for middle schools believe such programs provide adolescents with the ongoing support and connections they need to help them grow and thrive during these turbulent years. MiddleWeb, a Web resource for educators and parents, features several articles on middle school advisories, including an FAQ (frequently asked questions and their answers) written by advisory advocate Jim Burns.

Create an environment of accessibility.

At one New Jersey middle school, counselors stand in the school corridor between classes in order to acknowledge students and maintain a high profile. Their aim is to remind students that counselors are among the adults at school available to help them and to listen. At a California school, a counselor makes a point of visiting every class every two weeks.

Resources

American Psychological Association. The association offers free brochures on such topics as violence prevention, how to choose a psychologist, and commonsense ways to assess online mental health information.

Blueprints for Violence Prevention. This interactive Web site features detailed information on model programs for violence prevention, including school-based programs that focus on bullying prevention, classroom-based social-emotional learning curriculum, and more.

Educating Minds and Hearts: Social Emotional Learning and the Passage into Adolescence. Editor Jonathan Cohen has gathered a wealth of information from different experts. The thread that ties the different chapters together is the use of fictional characters "Raffi" and "Maura" as springboards for experts to talk about how particular social and emotional learning programs affect middle school students. 1999. Published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Education World. Visit the School Counselors' section of this site for hundreds of articles and resources covering such critical topics as dealing with grief and loss, suicide prevention, depression, and fostering self-esteem. Many of the referenced articles are from the ERIC database of resources.

In the Mix. This PBS-sponsored Web site for educators features lesson plans and discussion guides for a variety of health and fitness subjects, including anger management, drug and alcohol abuse (including a lesson designed to help teens interpret alcohol advertising messages), depression, and self-image. Lessons are typically designed for middle and high school students and include a PBS "In the Mix" video component.

Promoting Social and Emotional Learning: Guide for Educators. This book by Rutgers University Psychology Professor Maurice Elias and others takes the best information about attempts in schools to give students the skills to be emotionally intelligent individuals. 1997. Published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. Among this site's many resources is a thoughtful "Guide for Young People" on depression -- its causes and the importance of seeking adult help for friends and classmates.

Waging Peace in Our Schools. This book by Linda Lantieri and Janet Patti tells the story of the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP), which was begun in New York City schools in 1985 and is now in more than 350 schools nationwide. The book serves as a practical guide to many of the successful strategies used by RCCP to produce emotionally intelligent children. 1996. Published by Beacon Press.

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Emotional Intelligence: What School Counselors Can Do

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For many students, their school counselor is their emotional and social guide and confidant. Here are some activities that counselors can initiate to assist students, staff, and parents in the critical area of emotional and social intelligence.

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https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/adaptive-leadership#:~:text=Adaptive%20leadership%20is%20a%20style,help%20organizations%20adapt%20to%20change.

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https://cnx.org/contents/fYaCw4KM@2/Applying-Adaptive-Leadership-to-Sustain-K-12-District-Initiatives-and-Challenges

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https://melbado.com/10-examples-of-charismatic-leaders/

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In this article, we'll look at ten examples of the most charismatic leaders of all time.

In fact, one of the most common traits of influential leaders is charisma, the ability to combine charm, communication skills, and connection to motivate and influence others.

Let's dive right in.

Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the most well-known leaders of the current times, Martin Luther King Jr., played a significant role in the Civil Rights movement in the United States.

Here is his famous speech "I Have a Dream".

Martin Luther King Jr. started off life precocious, racially aware, and religious. His father, Martin Luther King Sr., was the minister of a local church.

Although not religiously curious early on, he was curious about other studies and entered college at the early age of 15.

He studied sociology and religion there, became valedictorian, married his wife, had four children, and eventually obtained his Ph.D. by 25 years old.

His mentor in college was the first to introduce him to the intersection of religion and activism. From college, he became a minister at a church similar to his father.

He became active in his community through the Montgomery Bus Boycott, where he was elected to lead due to his charisma and other personable traits.

His boycott speech led to the city of Montgomery lifting their segregation law and sparked the energy into his legacy of non-violent activism, reform, and bravery.

Martin Luther King Jr. grew into leadership for many reasons. First and foremost, the civil rights movement needed a person who would insight a large part of the black community to become involved.

During the '50s, this was someone young, with charisma and passion for sparking hope in others, who had solid family connections and little to no enemies - and MLK fit the bill perfectly.

MLK led with enthusiasm during this time.

He was passionate about non-violence and equality and constantly continued to educate himself on relevant issues.

He was also incredibly courageous and loyal, never turning away from his mission no matter the stake.

These charismatic traits led 250,000 people to follow him to the March on Washington and eventually led the United States to end legal segregation, create the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and create the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Even past his assassination, his charismatic speeches, writings, and views are still followed by many today.

Fidel Castro

Another well-known charismatic leader, albeit good or bad, is Fidel Castro - president of the Cuban government and Latin American revolutionist.

Have a look at these historic interviews.

Fidel Castro is most well-known for transforming Cuba into the first communist state in the Western Hemisphere. Because of this, he is a symbol of the communist revolution in Latin America.

Castro has a rich history of revolution and social justice, although mixed with violence and corruption.

From a young age, Fidel Castro was involved with revolutionary acts in Latin America. However, it wasn't until the overthrow of Cuba's democratic government that his legacy began.

After years of exile and failed attempts, Castro led an army to overthrow this dictatorship in his country.

Through the Soviet Union's support, he made radical economic and political changes to Cuba's landscape and shook up the US's relationship with Latin America.

Castro's leadership was defined by charisma. From being the top dog in his schoolyard to using his wife's wealth to advance his political career, Fidel Castro knew how to influence people to push his beliefs further.

This trait, combined with his motivation and stubbornness, helped him grow his leadership into the legacy it is today.

Cubans, and many other Latin Americans, were very disenfranchised and needed a leader like this to lift them up against their oppressors.

The corruption of Latin American governments led to citizens looking for someone motivated and influential enough to showcase their voice and lift them up from their current political situations.

Fidel Castro rose to the occasion and is now characterized by this charismatic leadership and devotion to change.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid leader who led the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.

And he was a very charismatic leader. Watch how he handled this critical journalist.

Because of his successful work in this revolution, he was also elected as the first democratically elected president of South Africa and is considered the father of the modern South African government.

His work in politics began in 1944 when he became involved with the African National Congress to form a youth league for the group.

However, his passion for equality began in 1948, when the country's National Party came to rule and enacted apartheid - legally segregating races into different social and economic classes by law.

He continued to fight this injustice, even after the National Party banned the African National Congress.

In response, he set up a secret military sect of the organization and continued to fight against the law through getting military training and delivering speeches across Africa.

However, one of the most significant moments in this revolution was his speech during the Rivona Trial, where he was facing the death penalty for his involvement.

This speech sparked international attention and gave Mandela a sizable platform to secretly speak from in his 27-year stint in prison.

These hardships founded Nelson Mandela's leadership was founded by the difficulties he endured during his time in prison, along with his intelligence, compassion, and genuine pursuit of peace throughout this time.

Not only did he work with others to secretly continue to publish his work while in prison, but he also forgave the authorities who put him there. Once released, he continued to work with them to pursue peace further.

His charismatic speeches throughout Africa incited communities across the globe to become involved in movements towards equality.

Nelson Mandela led by example. He never strayed from his message of peace and equality - even when given compromised offers to leave his 27-year prison stint.

To define the sacrifice he made, staying in prison meant missing his mother and eldest son's funerals. He was a leader who didn't just speak of what the world should be but showed his followers through his example.

His leadership came under very tense and pressurized circumstances.

Not only was he coming from one of the most disenfranchised classes in South Africa, but when he came to the presidency, he was leading a country's way to peace through polarized and violent times.

Winston Churchill

Unlike other leaders in this article, Winston Churchill did not excel academically or in debates.

However, his ability to speak in an easy, inclusive language and his passion for his country's well-being set him up as one of the most charismatic leaders.

Here is a short video of him addressing the nation following the defeat of the Germans.

As a child, Churchill suffered academically and wasn't met with nurture from either of his parents. These disadvantages set him up for a short stint in the military and a long stint in writing.

He would eventually lead his way from a writer to the British parliament to the Prime Minister of Britain during World War II.

During his time in government, he fought for the working class, fighting low minimum wages & unhealthy living & working conditions. As a politician, he went back and forth between parties - following his beliefs no matter where they led him.

It wasn't until WWII that Churchill shined, though. His inspirational speeches encouraged the British people to have faith in him and their country through this dark time.

This enabled his people to trust his vision and ultimately to lead the nation to victory over Germany.

Although Winston Churchill went through major popularity ups and downs throughout his time in British politics, he still stands as one of the most charismatic and inspirational leaders to date.

First off, he was unapologetically passionate about Britain's potential and never bowed to the criticism given to his country.

During the hard times of World War I and World War II, this is what the allied forces needed - someone with faith; and that's exactly what Churchill gave them.

Second, his ability to make his vision clear through easy-to-understand language brought all classes of British people together to support a united front.

Like the Battle of Britain, his speeches brought countrymen and parliament together in a way that the fragile Britain had never seen before.

These skills set him up to succeed as a leader in a time of hardship and chaos.

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy is arguably the most stereotypical charismatic leader out there. His charisma and wit led him to serve in the United States House of Representatives, the Senate, and as the 35th president of the United States.

Here is his famous "Moon Speach".

Unlike other leaders on this list, Kennedy was born into wealth. Both of his parents were prosperous, successful, and very involved in their children's lives.

His father was especially interested in his children's success - instilling a fierce competitive spirit into his children. This led to the children being close-knit and very successful.

Kennedy used his charm, quick-wit, and intelligence to beat Nixon for the presidency. In the first televised debate series, Kennedy won popularity through his relaxed appearance and vigorous spirit.

However, he came into the presidency at a tumultuous time for the United States. Tangling with the Soviet Union and civil rights, the country was constantly fearful of nuclear attacks and was growing tenser by the minute.

His successes include:

Creating The Peace Corps.

Navigating the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Creating the Civil Rights Bill.

Although not consistently successful, Kennedy's considerable success was undoubtedly grown through his charm. A good writer and speaker, Kennedy was a master at using his words to pursue his visions.

Because of this, Kennedy is also known for using this mastery for more promiscuous goals - including a constant chase of young, beautiful women.

Barack Obama

Obama's speeches, albeit recent, can still be remembered by most US citizens. His "Yes We Can" attitude, humility, and clear vision led him from Hawaii to the White House.

And, of course, Barack Obama is super charismatic. Just look at this speech from 2004.

Growing up with his grandparents and his single mother in Hawaii, Barack Obama became interested in education. Getting into the esteemed Punahou Academy allowed him to grow his intellect and realize race relations early on.

Obama would eventually end up graduating from Columbia University, where his work in social justice began. Working as a community organizer for low-income residents, he became involved with registering, educating, and empowering voters.

From there, and after a visit to his father's grave in Kenya, Obama would enter and graduate Magna Cum Laude Harvard Law School. He would soon become involved in education, voter registration, and multiple terms in the US senate.

On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama would become the first African American president. But he wouldn't stop there.

In the first 100 days of office, his team would push massive efforts in health care, economic growth, equality, and holding Wall Street accountable. Because of these efforts, he earned the Nobel Peace Prize his first year of presidency.

After two terms as president of the United States, Obama remains in high favor with US citizens and stands as one of the best leaders in the world.

He led the country during a financial crisis, a new age of climate crisis and school shootings, and tensions between sexes, genders, sexuality, and race.

His vision of unity and equality coupled with his forceful positivity & humility would help unite factions in the country enough to move forward together on critical topics.

Whether people agree with his politics or not, it is undeniable that his ability to harness his charismatic skills enabled him to become the leader that he is.

Satya Nadella

It isn't easy being a leader in today's social media, cancel-culture climate. As the CEO of Microsoft - one of the world's largest businesses to suit - how to navigate tricky situations and simultaneously inspire our employees and clients.

Here is a video to give you a better impression of the background and charisma of Satya Nadella.

Born in India, Satya Nadella moved to the United States after obtaining his electrical engineering degree.

From there, his growth has been unstoppable. Starting as an engineer for Microsoft, he worked his way up the ranks. In 2011, he became president of the Server and Tools Division, where he grew revenue by $3.7 billion.

His creativity and fearlessness of change eventually led him to become 1 of 3 Microsoft CEOs in 2014.

As CEO, he has been successful at keeping Microsoft relevant and influential in an ever-changing tech climate. At the same time, he has focused on growing collaboration and creativity within his team.

He has also focused on increasing inclusion and diversity within the business.

Coming into the role at a time of uneasiness was perfect for him, as his genuinity and confidence have given employees confidence and drive.

Not only does he do this through regular communication with his team of over 150,000 people, but also through his invitation of feedback and conversations with staff.

Nadella has proven that in the world of tech and giant business, you can still be a charismatic leader through welcoming, genuine conversations.

Jack Welch

Not all charismatic leaders are agreeable. Jack Welch is one of those and would likely agree that being a leader necessitates being the bad guy sometimes.

Here is an interesting interview with him.

Jack Welch was the CEO of General Electric for 20 years. Under his leadership, the company's value grew from $14 billion to $410 billion.

His turn-of-the-century ideas on leadership and management led the business into a booming success and led him to educate people on management and leadership.

Jack started off at General Electric as a chemical engineer in 1960. Similar to other leaders with great fervor, he continuously climbed the ranks and succeeded, becoming CEO of the business by 1980.

His leadership techniques, although charismatic, weren't always popular. He was a very straightforward leader who wasn't afraid to cut ties loose if employees weren't performing up to par.

He was persistent on the idea of candor - being honest and straightforward with employees to instill pride and ownership of the business's ideas, purpose, and vision.

He insisted on leaders having open, direct communication with their employees - one-on-one, no matter the time or effort it takes. Some even estimate that around 20-50% of his time was dealt with hiring and employment decisions.

He believed that if you put effort into your employees, that the business would thrive - and thrive it did.

Not only was he able to grow a business by $396 billion, but he was also able to inspire an entire generation of best-business practices.

His leadership tactics were taken up by many large corporations, and he spent the years after retirement from GE educating people on charismatic, honest leadership.

Malcolm X

Good, charismatic leaders can be on the opposite side of the poles and still instill the same amount of passion and drive in their followers - Malcolm X's approach to the same movement that MLK was working in proves this.

Here is one of his many charismatic speeches.

Unlike MLK, Malcolm X did not preach peaceful protest during the civil rights movement. Being brought up in an entirely different experience than MLK, his approach was an unfearful, albeit violent, protest.

Malcolm X was raised by a civil rights activist and saw racism in his life early on. From his family being a victim of arson to his father eventually being murdered by white supremacists, Malcolm was shaped by these early, racist experiences.

In addition, Malcolm was told early on in life that he wasn't a good prospect for success, causing him to drop out of school at 15 and get into drugs.

This experience eventually led him to prison, which reconfigured his life and shaped him into the leader he was. In prison, Malcolm read prolifically and studied Black Nationalism.

He further pursued this radicalized wing of the civil rights movement and led black Americans to push against the tyrannical hands of white supremacy - by whatever means necessary.

His leadership was defined by this harsh, passionate stance. Through his own experiences of racial abuse, he was able to empower fellow black citizens to fight against the disenfranchisement they had experienced their entire lives.

Being relatable allowed him to engage an audience of people that MLK wasn't able to.

Although his views of violent protest eventually changed after a profound religious experience, Malcolm X was solidified in history as a leader of passion and fervor.

Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi, largely deemed the founder of non-violent protest, sparked a following of over 60,000 protestors at one point and led the way for peaceful, charismatic leadership.

Gandhi had extraordinary leadership qualities. Just listen to this speech from 1931.

What began as a legal career in South Africa soon led to a long legacy of non-violent protest against social injustices. Gandhi was born in India to the chief minister in Porbandar and other states in West India.

Although interested in medicine, his father pushed him into law in hopes that he would follow in his footsteps.

However, Gandhi's path would wind very far away from his fathers. After graduating from law school in London, Gandhi struggled to find work as a lawyer in India and went to South Africa.

This was his first larger view of discrimination and segregation, and his natural inclination was to fight against it.

From there, he was determined to fight "color prejudice." He began by fighting racial injustices in South Africa, where Indians were being stripped of their right to vote and to have recognizable marriages.

Once returned to his home country, Gandhi took a strong awakening that grew into a political revolution.

One of his earlier protests included walking 240 miles to the sea to protest against a law that prohibited Indians from selling or collecting salt.

His works in protest advanced into political leadership, where he eventually assisted in obtaining Indian independence from Britain.

Gandhi's leadership was revolutionary: led by example and through conversation. He pushed equality through both his words and actions and, because of this, inspired a country full of people to fight back against prejudice.

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In this article, we'll look at ten examples of the most charismatic leaders of all time. In fact, one of the most common traits of influential leaders is charisma, the ability to combine charm, communication skills, and connection to motivate and influence others. Let's dive right in.

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https://louiscarter.com/charismatic-leadership-style/#:~:text=Charismatic%20leaders%20seem%20very%20unique,any%20inefficiency%20within%20an%20organization.

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Each style of leadership has a specific focus area. For example, some forms of leadership, such as democratic leadership, emphasize people's growth while others, like bureaucratic leadership, are focused on existing structures and hierarchies.

However, a charismatic leader can influence people in ways that other leaders can only dream of. This is why a charismatic leadership style is often regarded as the most powerful way to lead.

Here, I help you understand what makes charismatic leadership so powerful through an explanation of the leadership style, the characteristics that make it up, its pros and cons, and relevant examples.

What is a Charismatic Leadership Style?

It wouldn't be wrong to assume that you've met at least one person in your life who oozed charisma. This almost unexplainable attribute is something that charismatic leaders have in abundance; they have a clear vision and can communicate it in an impactful way.

Charismatic leadership uses articulate communication, encouragement, and power of personality to motivate others to behave in a particular way. Charismatic leadership depends on the leader's eloquence, their firm belief in their mission, and their ability to make their followers or subordinates feel the same way.

A study published in the International Journal of Psychology shows a strong relation between charismatic leadership and work-group identification of employees. The identification of the workgroup is often correlated with employees' participation in the job, job satisfaction, success, and retention.

Charismatic leaders can encourage, inspire, and get individuals to achieve the mission at hand. No wonder many politicians and activists have been described as charismatic. Charismatic leadership relies, more than any other leadership style, on the personality of the leader.

Considering that they can connect with people at a subconscious level, charismatic leaders are most needed in organizations that are headed for disaster or are struggling to make progress. So, how can you identify such a leader in your organization? You can find a charismatic leader by looking for the attributes or characteristics that define this leadership style. The attributes or characteristics of a charismatic leader are discussed next.

The Characteristics of a Charismatic Leader

Charismatic leaders seem very unique. They stand out in a crowd and have a powerful effect on the people around them. More than that, they are exceptional at motivating other individuals. They also have a unique ability to analyze and decode any inefficiency within an organization.

Critical thinking, compiling of evidence, and discovery of ways to address a range of issues also emerge from these visionary characteristics related to this leadership style. The following are the characteristics that make charismatic leaders so powerful:

1. Superior Communication Abilities

Charismatic leaders have exceptional communication abilities. This helps inspire followers or subordinates during stressful times and helps them remain grounded when things are great. Communicating one-to-one or in a group environment is equally easy for these leaders.

2. Emotional Sensitivity and Control

You might find that most charismatic leaders can decipher the feelings of others well. This is natural for someone who is looking to inspire people using their 'charm'. Charismatic leaders appear to display their feelings positively as well. Whenever required, they can demonstrate better control over their feelings.

3. Confidence

Charismatic leaders are genuinely optimistic people to state the obvious. They always look for the positive in things and are confident about themselves as a person. They are well aware of their traits and do not pretend to be someone else. Ultimately, this allows them to be comfortable in their skin and have a contagious confidence.

4. Visionary

Charismatic leaders envision an optimistic, often revolutionary version of the future in their minds. They will see what cannot be understood by their peers. The subordinates choose to follow the charismatic leader because of this characteristic, as they are promised a solution to a long-standing problem or something far better than what they currently have.

5. People-Centered Approach

The charismatic leadership style has a very people-centric focus. The ideas and activities of a charismatic leader are aimed at bringing about a change that will impact the people at a spiritual, political, or societal level. Additionally, these leaders can connect their followers to their mission extremely well.

6. Ability to Inspire Positive Behavior

Charismatic leaders display positive behavior and encourage others to follow suit. They inspire their followers through strong and inspiring words that convince them to transition to positive behaviors.

Perhaps, the best way to envision a charismatic leader with all these qualities is visualizing historical leaders with a charismatic leadership style. In the political, corporate, and religious realms, history is full of examples of charismatic leaders.

However, the most prominent amongst them is Martin Luther King Jr. His iconic speech 'I have a dream' still lives in people's minds. He is known and celebrated across the globe for his telling role in U.S civil rights movement that changed the U.S for the better; he inspired this change through his words and charisma.

The Pros and Cons of Being a Charismatic Leader

Charismatic leaders may affect an organization and the individuals they lead in a strong, positive way. However, this leadership style can also lead to dangerous situations if used in the wrong manner. The following are the pros and cons of a charismatic leadership style.

Extremely motivating and encouraging
Fosters a sense of friendship, cooperation, and community
Makes subordinates r followers feel noticed and appreciated
Builds momentum for sustainable change

Can cause leaders to concentrate on themselves rather than their followers
Can encourage self-centered behaviors
Often seen as superficial or presumptuous

Because charismatic leaders are willing to take chances and venture beyond the lines, they can have a positive influence on an organization or community. Unfortunately, a charismatic leader does not need to comply with a clear moral or ethical vision.

History has taught us that when working towards their vision, charismatic leaders can steer followers in the wrong direction and cause chaos. Nonetheless, this style of leadership can be a powerful way to inspire individuals and change the way an organization or community functions.

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Charismatic Leadership Is The Most Powerful Way To Lead

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Each style of leadership has a specific focus area. For example, some forms of leadership, such as democratic leadership, emphasize people's growth while others, like bureaucratic leadership, are focused on existing structures and hierarchies. However, a charismatic leader can influence people in ways that other leaders can only dream of.

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https://hbr.org/2015/04/how-emotional-intelligence-became-a-key-leadership-skill

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Anyone trying to come up to speed on emotional intelligence would have a pretty easy time of it since the concept is remarkably recent, and its application to business newer still. The term was coined in 1990 in a research paper by two psychology professors, John D. Mayer of UNH and Peter Salovey of Yale. Some years later, Mayer defined it in HBR this way:

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How Emotional Intelligence Became a Key Leadership Skill

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A reading list to bring you up to speed.

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School Counselors as Educational Leaders

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School Counselors as Educational Leaders

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https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1196243.pdf