Do we confuse charisma for genuine leadership?
My experience of charismatic leaders is a bit like a chinese meal – great at the time but ultimately insubstantial and a bit unsatisfactory. While charismatics are wonderful to be around – at least for a while – we are in danger of giving too much of ourselves away to these sorts of leaders – we disempower ourselves when we put others on a pedestal.
The most powerful leader I have ever met was also one of the least assuming. What made him great was not his ability to charm an audience but his ability to help his team to tap into their own talents and self-belief . In other words he grew leadership in others and didn’t need the focus on himself.
So.. what are you leading for.. yourself or others?