The Good and Bad Sides of Charismatic Leadership

I recently came across this phrase in my current and last class for my MBA program. As I was taking an examination, I was reviewing a chapter in the Leadership in Organization book that talked about the different forms of leadership. Autocratic leadership, servant-leader leadership, and charismatic leadership; however, I won't discuss all three, just one. What is charismatic leadership? Well, we first need to break down the root word charisma.

Charisma -  a special charm or appeal that causes people to feel attracted and excited by someone, a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure, a special magnetic charm or appeal.

We see these and many more have what Babyface said "...that whip appeal." They know how to draw attention to themselves. They know what to say, how to say, when to say it, and why. It's like they have magnetic powers to literally get away with any under the sun. As Rakim said, they know how to "...move the crowd." In American society, we see this in politicians, preachers, writers, rappers, and teachers. Examples are people like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Steve Jobs. Some are the good guys who look to better the interests of the commonwealth (everyone) without bias, guile, or false intentions. However, there are some who look to better the interests of themselves through lies, deception, and cruel intentions. Examples are people like Jim Jones, President Andrew Jackson, and Pope Alexander VI. People given the gifts of charismatic leadership have the ability to influence and change the lives of all those they contact. This can be good or bad. The good is that people learn from their mistakes, new ways of doing things, and enlightened about this thing called life. Good charismatic leadership takes the time to listen to others opinions, concerns, advice, and at times correction (no matter what education, title, lifestyle, race, gender, or social class). However, the bad is that people learn bad habits, destructive lifestyles, and their minds clouded in delusion. Bad charismatic leadership derides, scolds, and puts down any one who comes to them in confidence to share information and/or thoughts to help better a situation or process. Good charismatic leaders produce what is ethical and legal behavior such as fiscal responsibility, admitting to mistakes made, and foster relationships. Bad charismatic leadership produces unethical and illegal behavior such as financial impropriety, prideful, and manipulates relationships to benefit their image. Both sides are outspoken and appealing but one side can destroy an entire population. Right now, I believe there is an unseen balance of both type of charismatic leadership in the world; although it seems the bad side is getting away with murder these days. However, it's good that learn both sides so we will know when and when not to support bad charismatic leadership. Good charismatic leadership will mentor you into a life of fulfillment, growth, and personal health (Steve Jobs with Apple). Bad charismatic leadership will lead you into an abyss of nothingness, stagnation, and personal failure (Jim Jones and People's Temple).

Til next time, dgwo......

The Game of Spades

Man. So many things have happened but I can truly say that I've lost a lot of games lately. I've also won some games, too. One thing I've learned from the game of spades is that when you've been given killer hand, you mustn't let your opponent reel you in to make bad decisions. Once you make the wrong move, your partner across from you will lose confidence in your game. The game of spades is one of the most intense games in American culture. People play the game of spades for fun when a party is going on. People play spades when some money is on the line and others play it for bragging rights. However, some are playing spades everyday they wake up and are given a new set of cards to play in this thing we call life. Some days, we are given killer hands when we have a bunch of spades to cut our opponents (situations, obstacles, people, places, etc.) down whenever they throw out a diamond, heart, or cloverleaf. Some days, we're given a so-so hand when we have to strategize, work hard, and be smart about how we play that round of the day. Some days, we are given a crap hand when nothing is going our way; when we are seemingly losing the game. I know for recent years, I've experienced all three situations, some more than others. But what I can say is that you have to play with the cards you've been dealt. Some days, you're a king or queen, everything in life is going your way, people are respecting you, cheering for you, and with true intentions, supporting you. Some days, you have to work hard for everything you have, to earn the respect in others eyes (but really proving to yourself alone that you will be the better person, caring less what others have to say about you). Some days, you will be looked at as the scum of the earth, the bad guy; when everything in your life is tumbling down. This is what all card players experience when playing the game of spades. Some games, your hand is loaded with spades. Some games, you have a mixed batch but have enough ammo to fight to the bitter end. Other games, you might not have jack and every attempt you make in trying to compete is destroyed by your opponent every time he or she cuts you with a spade. But one thing I've learned about this thing called life is that you are always playing with a partner right across from you who will share the joys and sorrows of the game. People who you are teaming with to win or lose that game of spades. One thing, in all three situations, you will always have a partner with you. You may not agree with each other on how the game is played but must learn to work together to win. That's what life is all about. Even when you lose, whether it's respect from other people, money, cars, friends, associations, jobs, etc, they'll be there to pick up the slack (and vice versa). It's rare in the spades I've seen partners walk out on their partner when they were down 200 points (playing to 350 or 500). Sometimes, people will walk out on you because they are afraid to lose but you can't be. There's so much I want to share with you all and if you've been reading my blogs, I hope they are helping those who may be in a worse predicament than I am. Just know this, whatever hand you've been dealt, play to win even if you don't have one single spade in your possession. Trust, they are times when a bad hand (a raw deal in life) can beat the other hand full of spades. It's all about how you play the game.

Til Next Time, words from the Ventilator.......

Let Your Enemies Put The Nail In Their Coffin

Anybody who knows me knows I love history, research, and getting down to the root of truth. A couple of blogs ago, I talked about how I was part of an "organization" that I still and will continue to consider as prison. Today, I called it Alcatraz and from what I still know about it, it still is. In any relationship or organization that operates in manipulation, control, lies, fake acts of love to get you for your money, time, and talents, and every unethical practice is the death sentence to the human life. However, those who stand up with rage against the system will be considered a heretic, venomous, a liar, "with a spirit on them", and other sayings from people who have "lost their control" in their life. Now, the parties are now enemies because one side is mad that they have lost their influence over the other innocent party. Hear me out. Enemies are people that attempt to destroy you with their words and other actions. They will say whatever about you to break relationships the other party has with others. They will do whatever to destroy the other party's livelihood (business, etc.). They will speak nothing but evil to keep good from happening in your life. But its funny because the other party has so much heat on them, they'll be in jail for the next 20 years for Enron/Jim Jones type practices. But this is one thing that I love about this world, is that what goes around comes around. I know this for myself. When I was stationed in Germany, I did a lot of people wrong and later on I paid the price. I put the nails in my own coffin. The same thing still applies in today's world when people are getting away with these unethical practices. They end up losing everything when they have to pay the piper. This post is just a warning to our enemies who continue to try to mess up the innocent parties' entire life. The more they try to do the innocent in, the more nails they are nailing in their coffin. The innocent don't have to do anything but get a strawberry smoothie and enjoy their enemies seal their own fate. Some people say you shouldn't "rejoice" but why not? It's all a part of the cycle of life.

Til next time, my friends.....