Richard Branson: Decoding His Charisma
Richard Branson is charismatic. So very charismatic. What is the secret of his charisma?
Richard Branson makes you feel optimistic
Is it because he is a billionaire? There are too many of them. China adds a billionaire every five days according a report by PWC & RBS.Is being successful a part of the equation? Maybe ... maybe not. Not every person is successful.It really boils down to what an "experience maker" is. They make you feel stronger. They make you feel optimistic. They make you feel safe because you trust them. Charismatic leaders have the ability to make people feel optimistic and hopeful. They make success look within reach. Just what Branson does.
Four components of charisma
According to research, charisma has four components:
- Confidence and optimism;
- A communication style that engages the audience;
- Risk taking; and
- Display creativity in HOW they do things
The Branson Magic
There were 13,000 people waiting for Richard Branson to join them at the #AdobeSummit 2018 in Vegas. When he took the stage yesterday, he exemplified all four dimensions in abundance. He walked in wearing faded jeans, his jacket and his unruly mass of long hair, the crowd cheered. They were waiting to find out what makes this man tick. And Branson did not disappoint.
"An entrepreneur is someone who creates something that makes a difference to someone's life."
Branson took the stage like a master storyteller and left the audience feeling star-struck...
- Articulate: He describes himself as an entrepreneur. "An entrepreneur is someone who creates something that makes a difference to someone's life." The name "Virgin" was suggested by one of Branson's early employees because they were all new at business. While most of us feel hesitant when we have no prior knowledge about something, Branson says that when he started the airlines, it gave him a chance to reimagine check-in, entertainment, food and comfort.
https://youtu.be/f-3Sy7s88D4
"Inexperience gave us a clean slate to start with. It gave us a chance to look at things differently."
- Self confidence: "They have to make opportunities out of challenges.", says Branson. He travels around with a notebook in his pocket. As he speaks to customers and employees, he notes down the ideas. Then the next day he implements them. Charismatic leaders make you feel that their power is within your reach. They make you feel that it will all happen for you and your good.
- They are unconstrained: He founded the Virgin group that control almost 400 companies that deal with everything from air travel to music to space exploration. Ability to take risks with new ideas. Branson talks about his dream of space travel. "How many of you want to go to space?" As thousands of people in the audience put up their hands, he laughs and adds with a twinkle in his eye, "Then we have to work harder and make it happen faster." He says, "In space there are no borders. You realize that there are more things that unite us than divide us..."
- Creative in how they do things: "Treat your employees the way you would treat your children." Branson explains why thousands of employees of the Virgin group all have unlimited vacation days. No one misuses it. "If they need to work from home on Fridays and Mondays, let them do that..."
What does he look for when he hires someone.
"I look for kindness. I look for people who can bring out the best in others. They look for the best in others They listen genuinely."
When Richard Branson started his speech, the audience was a little star-struck. When he left, the audience was no longer in awe. They were inspired to become a slightly better version of themselves. Eventually, that is the magic of a charismatic leader.
Join me on twitter @AbhijitBhaduri