Leadership Charisma

Bud Haney, Jim Sirbasku & Deiric Mccann
S&H Publishing Company
£7.12 (Kindle edition)

PM Rating: 3/5

The authors contend that charismatic business leaders achieve extraordinary results from their staff. This book sets out their programme of self-development, which is designed to improve the reader’s charisma rating.

The programme starts with a definition of charismatic style. Being perceived as charismatic is said to be directly proportional to the extent which people either feel or fare better after interaction with you. This theory is borne from the authors’ research of the styles of business leaders who are credited with having charisma.

A four-part Leadership Charisma Model is constructed to guide the reader to become charismatic. Each part of the model forms a section of the book. Step 1 focuses on deciding to become a charismatic leader. Step 2 looks at building a foundation for one’s charisma and introduces co-author’s Haney and Sirbasku’s. Success System. Step 3 looks at the physical aspects of charisma such as smiling, shaking hands and gesturing. Finally, Step 4 concentrates on creating a charismatic persona, including achieving charismatic communication and developing contagious enthusiasm and belief in others.

The approach proposed requires the reader to change their habits and approach others with a new style. Those around the would-be charismatic may find the ‘new’ leader a little unnerving especially whilst the Jekyll and Hyde transformation occurs.

The content of the book is well-suited to the naturally reserved and may boost confidence. However, gauging progress by enlisting the views of colleagues and subordinates might not appeal to everyone. More, the content is rather repetitive and, though designed to help teach, may not be every manager’s preferred style.