“I am not a bold man.  But I have the knack of sticking to my promises.”

                (Abraham Lincoln, on the Emancipation Proclamation) 

Charisma: What Is It?

Does a leader need charisma to succeed?  Charisma, like leadership, is difficult to define. It is an intangible quality, "a magic,” that influences and sways others to follow.  The great German sociologist Max Weber, insightfully noted that the public anoints an individual as charismatic and heroic, and just as easily that same public can withdraw one’s charismatic authority.  Quite simply, you only have charisma as long as others believe in you.  Current leadership literature downplays the significance of charisma.  Why?  Charismatic leadership is about the individual, contradicting the principle that effective leaders focus on the organizational mission, not personal appeal.  Further, sustainable change initiatives require institutional memory and capacity, while dependence on a charismatic individual “places person above institution.”  What happens when “that person” leaves the organization, does the initiative leave with her?  On the other hand, when working with a charismatic and engaging leader, an organization seems to gain energy.  Charisma is a complex issue.

Did Lincoln Have Charisma?

Eyewitnesses who heard Lincoln speak at public events often provided similar initial reactions, at first, he was unimpressive.  The best first impression example occurred during Lincoln’s famous Cooper Union Address to a packed audience in New York City on February 27, 1860.  During the first few minutes of Lincoln’s speech the event organizers were panic-stricken with regret as they watched this gangling, long-limbed man from Illinois, with his awkward movements, high-pitched voice, and country accent.  Had they made a mistake, asking this western lawyer to address a sophisticated New York audience?  However, as Lincoln settled down, his words, compelling ideas, and enthusiasm, slowly but surely mesmerized the audience.  By the end of the speech the crowd was standing, and for several minutes roared their approval when Lincoln said, “Let us have faith that right makes might!”  Lincoln had catapulted himself; he was now a serious national candidate for the presidency (Harold Holzer, Lincoln at Cooper Union, 2004).  

Yet, following the speech, Lincoln was still long-limbed and awkward, his accent, and high-pitched voice had not changed.  What had changed was the feeling of the audience.  The power of his ideas, his commitment to principle, had carried the day.  Did Lincoln have charisma?  The answer is no, if charisma hinges on fluid movements, first impressions, and the ability to instantly capture an audience.  However, if one measures charisma as the ability to win an audience through the power of ideas and authentic passion for principle, then the answer is yes.  

Often, during workshops, I am asked,  “Could Lincoln have succeeded with today’s news media and technology?”  I enjoy speculating with an audience about this question.  Lincoln mastered the media of his day.  He frequently wrote letters for publication to newspaper editors about issues that concerned him (unusual for a 19th century president), and actively used the telegraph to correspond with his generals.  Lincoln spent a lifetime sharpening his writing skills, and his greatest speeches were often his shortest.  The Gettysburg Address was only 272 words, and the Second Inaugural (“with malice toward none”) 703 words. As a writer and politician, he crafted profound ideas using the words of the common man.  These writings could work as “sound bites.”  However, today, first impressions are very important, that would have been a problem for Lincoln.  He may have survived a lengthy presidential debate, but I am not sure about the “gotcha” politics of our instant news cycle.

School Leaders and Charisma

Again, principals and teacher leaders can gain much from the Lincoln example.  To begin, profound ideas create “charismatic synergy.”  Ideas excite constituents! Also, the ability to articulate ideas with crisp, precise and simple words can help leaders gain credibility with faculty, students, parents, and the community.  

Most importantly, constituents expect to “see” integrity—the walk matching the talk—demonstrated by leaders.  To illustrate, if both excellence and equity are articulated as school and district goals, leaders and teams of leaders, must address issues related to homogeneous classes, tracking, in-class small groups, and the selection process for Advanced Placement and Honors classes.  There are no simple solutions to these complex challenges.  A charismatic leader cannot resolve these issues alone. Maybe a new definition of charisma is needed: follow me, as I follow you, so that together we can meet the challenges facing our teaching and learning community.