Leaders have long known the power of charisma. It’s the characteristic that attracts others to them and allows the leader to forge new paths with the support and loyalty of his people. However, charisma is often a double-edged sword. While leaders can use it to motivate and inspire others for the greater good (as Winston Churchill did during World War II), it can also be used to manipulate, control, and self-aggrandise (as Adolf Hitler did when he rose to power in Germany in the 1930s).

Charismatic leaders can create a “cult of personality,” which allows them to behave in problematic ways without experiencing negative blowback or significant accountability. In companies led by these types of leaders, the organisation often disintegrates as soon as the leader leaves or retires.

In this sub-element, we’ll shine a light on all aspects of your charisma, both the good and the bad, so you can evaluate both the light and dark sides of this important characteristic.

• To what extent do you emotionally inspire your employees and colleagues?
• To what extent do the people in your ecosystem identify with you?
• To what extent do those around you feel comfortable challenging your ideas or directions when they feel it’s necessary?
• Are you held to a different standard of morals and/or behaviour than your employees?
• Are you focused on developing competent successors or would your company be adrift without your leadership?

After evaluating both the positive and negative sides of your charisma, we’ll ensure that the confidence and charm you exude to others is serving your company, rather than undermining it.