Charismatic leadership is the secret of undeniable influence—here’s how to use it

When you think of a person with charismatic leadership, who comes to mind? The fiery speaker whose words still echo years later? The visionary who could make a crowd believe in the impossible? Or the one who walks into a room and, without saying a word, shifts the energy entirely?

We’ve all felt the pull of charisma. It’s electric. It makes us lean in, nod along, and, even if just for a moment, see the world through another person’s eyes. The effect can be inspiring, even intoxicating. 

And that’s the rare alchemy that can turn ordinary influence into something that feels like destiny.

What is charismatic leadership?

This kind of influence happens when people follow someone not because of their title, but because of how that person makes them feel. Basically, the “charismatic leadership” definition encompasses…

• The pull of their presence,
• The conviction in their words, and
• The sense that they see something others can’t.

Leadership has to do with the way we feel about ourselves, about how we feel about others.

— Monty Moran, trainer of Mindvalley’s The Transformational Leader program

The sociologist Max Weber described it as a “certain quality” that sets a person apart, almost like they carry a spark the rest of us can’t ignore. In simple terms, it’s leadership powered by belief. And people choose to follow because they want to, not because they have to.

That spark has fascinated scientists as much as it has followers. In leadership research, Stephen Zaccaro and his team found that charisma consistently outshines traits like intelligence or integrity.

What’s more, neuroscientists have discovered that charismatic speeches can sync people’s brainwaves in regions linked to emotion and values. That’s why, when you’re in the presence of it, the pull feels less like persuasion and more like being carried by a current.

It’s a force you can feel before you can name, and that’s where its real power begins.

How it differs from other styles

Leadership, according to Monty Moran, the former co-CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, is our highest calling.

“Leadership has to do with the way we feel about ourselves, about how we feel about others,” he explains in his Mindvalley program, The Transformational Leader.

He notes that the way we experience leadership often comes down to whether the people around us make us feel safe, valued, and understood. When that’s missing, we’re left feeling dismissed and unseen.

“All of these things dramatically affect the way we behave as people,” he adds, “the way we grow, the way we blossom, and the way we develop throughout our lifetimes.”

But some leaders rely on authority, while others, on systems or strategy. And when it comes to “what is charismatic leadership style?” Well, it looks different from one leader to another.

Here’s what it looks like side-by-side with two other main styles:

Now, the question is, which leadership style encompasses charismatic leadership? The answer is, it isn’t usually seen as a standalone style. It sits under the larger umbrella of transformational leadership.

So when it comes to charismatic vs. transformational leadership, think of the latter as the whole architecture, while the former is one of its most powerful engines.

And as for transactional? Well, it manages people with systems and consequences. Charisma doesn’t live here, because there’s no emotional spark in a checklist.

7 key traits of charismatic leaders

The thing with leadership, according to Monty, is that it doesn’t come from hard work, willpower, or even the drive to succeed. It’s “more about human connection, vulnerability, and love.”

Vanessa Van Edwards, who has spent more than a decade studying charisma, calls it a “social and professional superpower.” In her Mindvalley program, Magnetic Charisma, she explains that our brains literally light up in the presence of charismatic leaders.

Put those perspectives together, and you can see how charismatic leaders tend to share certain qualities. Here are some of the traits that stand out most:

1. Emotional intelligence. They can read a room and sense what people need. This helps others feel seen and understood.
2. Authenticity. Their words and actions align. People trust them because they are consistent.
3. Visionary storytelling. They move beyond listing goals by painting pictures of what’s possible. This makes big ideas feel real and urgent.
4. Confidence with warmth. Charismatic leaders project certainty, and they also show approachability. People feel both their strength and their openness.
5. Active listening. They give their full presence to others. This makes people feel valued and loyal.
6. Passion and energy. Their enthusiasm is contagious. It turns even simple ideas into something worth following.
7. Resilience. They stay steady under pressure. This shows people that challenges can be endured and overcome.

No doubt, these traits are what make charisma feel unforgettable in practice. And history is full of leaders who embody them.

Charismatic leadership examples

In history, politics, and business, some people stand out because their presence and vision moved others. So if you’ve ever wondered which leadership style encompasses charismatic leadership, here are a few examples that capture what it looks like in real life:

• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Oprah Winfrey
• Steve Jobs
• Zendaya
• Michelle Obama
• Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
• Linda Clemons
• Vanessa Van Edwards

In pop culture, too, charisma shows up in our favorite characters. Here are a few that you may know:

• Morpheus from The Matrix
• Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones
• Tony Stark/Iron Man from Marvel Cinematic Universe
• Ted Lasso from Ted Lasso
• Harvey Specter from Suits
• Jake Peralta from Brooklyn Nine-Nine
• Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation

Here’s the common thread between them that Vanessa points out: “Charisma is the incredible ability to inspire, impact, and influence the people around you. The more charismatic you are, the more respect you get for your work and your ideas.”

It’s easy to see charisma in others. The real value comes from understanding the benefits it brings to leadership.

Benefits of charismatic leadership

Back in the 1970s, psychologist Dr. Robert House set out to study charisma as a science. He wanted to know not just why leaders stand out, but how followers change under their influence.

His theory outlined eight propositions, now known as the Charismatic Leadership Theory. They describe ripple effects that consistently show up when charisma is present in leadership.

Here’s how those benefits play out:

1. Confidence in the leader. People feel steady and secure when they trust the person guiding them.
2. Respect and admiration. Followers hold the leader in high regard, seeing them as someone worth emulating.
3. Willing cooperation. Instead of dragging their feet, people align themselves naturally with the leader’s direction.
4. Emotional investment. The mission isn’t just the leader’s anymore. Rather, it becomes personal for everyone involved.
5. Sense of meaning. Work feels tied to a bigger purpose, something that stretches beyond the daily grind.
6. Going above and beyond. Followers push past the minimum and often deliver more than expected.
7. Boost in self-belief. Charismatic leadership has a way of raising people’s own confidence in their abilities.
8. Loyalty that lasts. Over time, this connection deepens into a bond that keeps people committed through challenges.

When charisma shows up this way, it becomes a leadership skill that binds people together. From there, it lifts the entire group to a higher level of performance and meaning.

Anyone can learn to be more charismatic and it will help you in every area of life.

— Vanessa Van Edwards, trainer of Mindvalley’s Magnetic Charisma program

Potential flaws and risks of charismatic leadership

This kind of magnetic personality has weight. And like anything with weight, it can tip in the wrong direction. But what is a flaw with the charismatic leadership approach, exactly?

Vanessa highlights “charisma traps” in her Mindvalley program. These are the sticky patterns that drain energy, shut down connection, and block authentic influence. Leaders aren’t immune to them. In fact, the more magnetic they are, the easier it is to slip through the cracks.

To see how this plays out in practice, here are five risks that often surface with charismatic leadership:

• Over-dependence. Teams lean too heavily on the leader’s presence, losing initiative when that presence is gone.
• Cult of personality. The leader’s image becomes bigger than the vision, creating loyalty to a person instead of the purpose.
• Resistance to criticism. Charismatic leaders may confuse dissent with disloyalty, shutting out valuable feedback.
• Blind spots in decision-making. The energy of charisma can drown out logic, leading to choices that feel inspiring but lack grounding.
• Emotional backlash. When followers feel let down, admiration can quickly flip into resentment or hostility.

The paradox of charisma is that its light can cast shadows just as grand. And if it’s left unchecked, those shadows can undo the very influence that made the leader powerful in the first place.

How to develop charismatic leadership skills

“Anyone can learn to be more charismatic and it will help you in every area of life,” says Vanessa. Like any other skill, it’s something you can build if you know where to put your energy.

The real shift happens when you focus on habits that amplify your presence instead of the ones that drain it. The difference lies in what you practice, because presence is never an accident.

1. Break the script

Vanessa points out that most of us run on autopilot in conversations. We ask the same questions, we give the same answers, and our brains stay half-asleep the entire time. 

So if you want to stand out with a charismatic leadership style, stop sounding like everyone else. 

For instance, try “What was the highlight of your day?” instead of “How are you?” Ask “What personal passion project are you working on?” instead of “What do you do?”

These kinds of questions make people pause. They spark curiosity, energy, and real engagement. And they trigger dopamine, the brain’s excitement chemical, and that makes you memorable.

Not sure where to start?  Vanessa suggests picking one conversation starter that feels natural to you and keeping it in your back pocket. Use it the next time you’re on a call, at a meeting, or even in a casual chat. The goal of it is to wake people up so they actually feel something when they’re with you.

You can also add small surprises to your interactions: a thoughtful detail in an email, a non-boring introduction at a networking event, or even a playful twist in a routine request. Tiny disruptions to expectation are what make you stand out in a sea of sameness.

2. Master your nonverbal presence

Are you familiar with body language? As Vanessa highlights, “about 60% of our presence or our communication is nonverbal.” That means your gestures, your posture, and even the space you keep are sending messages long before your words land.

Think about it: it’s likely you’ve been in a conversation where someone leaned in at just the right moment, or greeted you with a handshake that felt steady and warm. Those subtle choices change the energy. They tell the other person, without a word, that you’re confident, safe to connect with, and fully present.

Vanessa calls them “proto conversations.” And they are “the cues or social signals we send to our fellow humans.”

Science even shows that a firm handshake, an open torso, or steady eye contact can stimulate oxytocin, the neurochemical that helps people feel trust and connection. It’s why a quick fist bump or high five can disarm tension and build rapport instantly.

So before your next call, meeting, or introduction, do a quick body check: Roll your shoulders back to open the space between your torso and arms. Keep your chin lifted instead of tucked.

If you’re on video, position your camera at least a foot and a half away so you’re in someone’s personal zone, not their intimate one.

And if you’re in person, don’t underestimate the small power of touch.

3. Lead with love

“Love is what remains when one releases judgment,” says Monty. And in leadership, that means creating space for real connection.

That looks like this: When you sit with someone without rushing, without checking your phone, and without an agenda, you give them your full attention.

The practice is surprisingly simple. Set aside time to connect with a colleague, a friend, or even someone you often overlook, and ask genuine, thought-provoking questions.

According to Monty, when you bring “curiosity, presence, and the desire to understand them,” people feel seen and valued. That sense of recognition is often what inspires them to rise.

So perhaps, you can choose one person you normally breeze past in daily life, like a teammate, a family member, or even the barista who knows your coffee order. Pause, lean in, and ask them about their story.

It might feel small, but Monty calls this a kind of leadership power everyone already has. “By saying you love someone,” he says, “you’re saying, I see you.”

And when you approach others this way, two things can happen:

1. They shift (sometimes in ways that surprise you), and
2. You shift, too.

And that’s the quiet but undeniable power of leading with love. You create a ripple that turns ordinary interactions into extraordinary leadership.

Learn more from Monty:

4. Become aware of your ego’s grip

If you’re caught in your ego, you might be able to manage people, but you won’t truly lead. As Monty explains, “If you can’t escape the sticky grip of your ego, you can manage, but you can’t lead.”

It shows up in sneaky ways, your ego. Like that voice that asks, what’s in this for me? Or the irritation when someone else gets credit, or the urge to prove yourself right.

Sometimes it tells you you’re better than everyone else, and sometimes it tells you you’re not good enough. Either way, it keeps you locked in comparison and judgment. What’s more, it blinds you from really seeing the people in front of you.

The way through, according to Monty, isn’t to crush your ego. If you try to fight it, you only feed it. Instead, just notice it. He says to watch it “like a lion in a cage.” Be curious, study it, but don’t fear it.

When you do that, you create space. And in that space, something powerful happens: love rushes in. You feel more present, you can celebrate other people’s wins without shrinking yourself, and you can hand off credit, lift up teammates, and mean it.

So try to catch your ego once a day, as Monty advises. Maybe it pipes up when a colleague gets praise, or when you’re scrolling and comparing yourself online.

Pause, notice it, and write it down. That little act of awareness loosens its grip.

5. Create circumstances that empower

Think back to the best leader you’ve ever had. Chances are, they didn’t have to hover over you or manage your every move. You felt capable, trusted, and motivated to give your best.

That’s empowerment.

It’s, as Monty explains, the feeling of being “confident in your ability and encouraged by your circumstances.”

But the thing is, you can’t give that feeling to someone just by simply saying “You’re empowered.” You create it by the way you show up, like making your people feel needed or telling them you need them.

“Telling someone you need them is really powerful,” Monty adds. “It puts you in a vulnerable, subordinate position which will trigger in someone else their innate desire to help you.”

When you do so, they start stepping up because they want to, not because you’re telling them to.

Monty breaks it down into five simple steps you can start weaving into your leadership today:

• Connect deeply so people feel seen and valued.
• Inspire them with a vision worth chasing.
• Build confidence by asking them to step up and contribute more.
• Encourage them to make each other better by teaching what they know.
• Share what’s really going on so they feel like insiders, not outsiders.

When these steps come together, charismatic leadership grows stronger in you, and others will naturally want to follow your lead.

Awaken your unstoppable 

“The way to most effectively give of ourselves is to lead others to be at their very best,” says Monty Moran. And now, you can experience his leadership philosophy firsthand in a free class from The Transformational Leader program on Mindvalley.

This 14-day program has Monty showing you how to…

• Stop managing and start leading in a way that transforms not just your team, but also yourself,
• Master practical tools for building a culture where people feel empowered, valued, and motivated to bring their best every day,
• Claim your true power through presence and vulnerability, and
• Communicate with a depth that inspires trust and loyalty, even in the most challenging moments.

This is the same approach that helped Monty guide Chipotle into a culture of high performance and loyalty. And it’s the same approach that’s transforming leaders everywhere.

As one Mindvalley member, Chuck Smith, shares:

Monty’s examples and training taught me I needed to be a better leader before I push it down to my managers and team… We are now better at taking ownership and accountability, becoming the energizers and illuminators we are destined to be.

You can now take the same first step. Join Monty’s free class and see how transformational leadership feels in action.

Welcome in.