The dark side of charisma
3Digest
This episode of the How-To podcast from Slate delves into the multifaceted nature of charisma, exploring its potential benefits and drawbacks. The hosts discuss the word of the year, "Riz," which encapsulates the captivating quality of charisma. They then explore the concept of charisma as a double-edged sword, highlighting its potential to both inspire and hinder. The episode features Adam Grant, host of Work Life, who discusses the dark side of charismatic leadership, emphasizing the importance of managing charisma effectively to avoid negative consequences. The episode then delves into the origins of the word "charisma" and its connection to leadership, exploring how charisma can be learned and developed through specific behaviors and techniques. The episode introduces three charisma traps: charisma getting in the way of substance, creating a cult of personality, and a lack of critical thinking. These traps can lead to negative consequences for both the leader and their team. The episode provides warning signs to identify when charisma is being used negatively, such as a lack of dissent, pressure to violate values, and unconditional support for the leader. The episode then shifts to discuss how to manage charisma effectively and use it for good. It introduces Hazel Jackson, a charismatic leader who learned to manage her energy and avoid diminishing others. The episode explains the difference between accidental diminishers and multipliers, highlighting how accidental diminishers unintentionally stifle others' contributions, while multipliers amplify the capabilities of their team. The episode focuses on Hazel's journey to shift from an accidental diminisher to a multiplier, highlighting the coaching she received from Liz Weisman and the three key practices for managing charisma effectively: setting expectations, shining the spotlight on others, and avoiding an overabundance of ideas. The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of management skills in leadership. It argues that while charisma can be helpful, effective leadership requires a balance of vision and execution, and good management practices are essential for success.
Outlines
Understanding Charisma: A How-To Podcast
This episode of the How-To podcast from Slate explores the complexities of charisma, highlighting its potential pitfalls and offering strategies for managing it effectively to become a multiplier rather than an accidental diminisher. The hosts discuss the word of the year, "Riz," which encapsulates the captivating quality of charisma, and delve into the concept of charisma as a double-edged sword.
The Dark Side of Charisma and Leadership
This segment features Adam Grant, host of Work Life, who discusses the dark side of charismatic leadership, emphasizing the importance of managing charisma effectively to avoid negative consequences. The episode then delves into the origins of the word "charisma" and its connection to leadership, exploring how charisma can be learned and developed through specific behaviors and techniques.
Charisma Traps and Their Impact
This segment introduces three charisma traps: charisma getting in the way of substance, creating a cult of personality, and a lack of critical thinking. These traps can lead to negative consequences for both the leader and their team. The episode provides warning signs to identify when charisma is being used negatively, such as a lack of dissent, pressure to violate values, and unconditional support for the leader.
Managing Charisma for Good: From Diminisher to Multiplier
This segment shifts to discuss how to manage charisma effectively and use it for good. It introduces Hazel Jackson, a charismatic leader who learned to manage her energy and avoid diminishing others. The episode explains the difference between accidental diminishers and multipliers, highlighting how accidental diminishers unintentionally stifle others' contributions, while multipliers amplify the capabilities of their team. The episode focuses on Hazel's journey to shift from an accidental diminisher to a multiplier, highlighting the coaching she received from Liz Weisman and the three key practices for managing charisma effectively: setting expectations, shining the spotlight on others, and avoiding an overabundance of ideas. The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of management skills in leadership. It argues that while charisma can be helpful, effective leadership requires a balance of vision and execution, and good management practices are essential for success.
Keywords
Charisma
A personal quality that inspires devotion in others. It is often associated with leadership, but can be used in various contexts. Charisma can be learned and developed through specific behaviors and techniques.
Charisma Traps
These are pitfalls that charismatic leaders can fall into, leading to negative consequences. The three main traps are: charisma getting in the way of substance, creating a cult of personality, and a lack of critical thinking.
Accidental Diminisher
A leader who unintentionally stifles the contributions of others due to their own charisma or energy. They may be overbearing, idea-rich, or overly optimistic, leading to a sense of overwhelm or discouragement in their team.
Multiplier
The opposite of an accidental diminisher. A multiplier is a leader who amplifies the capabilities and contributions of others. They encourage critical thinking, ask insightful questions, and create a space for others to shine.
Inverse Charisma
A leadership style that focuses on evoking charisma in others rather than solely relying on one's own charisma. This involves asking thoughtful questions, listening attentively, and creating an environment where others feel empowered to contribute.
Strategic Silence
A deliberate choice to be quiet in a meeting or conversation, even when speaking up might be tempting. This allows others to contribute their ideas and fosters a more collaborative environment.
Poker Chip Challenge
A practical tool for leaders to avoid hogging the spotlight in meetings. Leaders are given a limited number of "chips" representing their contributions, encouraging them to be more selective and thoughtful in their input.
Holding Tank
A metaphorical space for leaders to store their ideas and avoid overwhelming their team. This allows them to share ideas strategically and avoid a constant barrage of suggestions.
Drip Feeder
A leader who shares ideas gradually and thoughtfully, rather than dumping them all at once. This allows the team to process information and contribute their own insights.
Q&A
What are the three charisma traps that leaders should be aware of?
The three charisma traps are: charisma getting in the way of substance, creating a cult of personality, and a lack of critical thinking. These traps can lead to negative consequences for both the leader and their team.
How can leaders shift from being accidental diminishers to multipliers?
Leaders can shift from diminishing to multiplying by setting clear expectations, shining the spotlight on others, and avoiding an overabundance of ideas. These practices help create a more collaborative and empowering environment for the team.
What is the importance of management skills in leadership?
Management skills are crucial for effective leadership. While charisma can be helpful, it's not a substitute for good management practices. Leaders need to balance vision with execution, involve others in decisions, and show care for their team to achieve success.
Show Notes
You may think no leader could ever be too charismatic, but the evidence is clear: a dazzling personality doesn't always drive success. In this episode, Adam investigates why an excess of charm can actually be detrimental to people and organizations. He chats with bestselling author and executive coach Liz Wiseman and one of her clients, CEO Hazel Jackson, about how to spot baseless charisma — and why sometimes leadership calls for being a bit boring.
Available transcripts for WorkLife can be found at go.ted.com/WLtranscripts
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