Charisma

Charismatic people have a way of attracting and influencing others because of their magnetism, personal appeal, and charm.  We feel drawn to them and they become popular.  Sometimes it is thought that having charisma is reserved for powerful personalities such as politicians, theologians, and movie stars, but, in reality, charismatic people are everywhere.  Sometimes we sense something different, confident, and exciting about a person, but not quite understand why we are attracted to them.  It is true, there is an element of glamour that is associated with charisma, qualities of being fascinating and alluring in combination with being attractive and charming.  But not necessarily so.  It is more the charismatic person's presence and the audience they command.  Usually it is movie stars who are associated with glamorous, exciting lives, almost unreal and magical in nature.  Their lives have a certain personal appeal.  Most of our heroes and leaders have magnetic, charismatic personalities, by the nature of their positions, who they are, and their forbearance.    Paul Zweig said, "By hero, we tend to mean a heightened man who, more than other men, possess qualities of courage, loyalty, resourcefulness, charisma, and above all selfishness."  But wherever and whoever they are, a charismatic person's influence goes far beyond what they do, far beyond their personality.  Their mere presence, simple or glamorous, natural and unassuming or flamboyant, has a transformational effect on whomever they come in contact with.