I recently finished reading a book called The Centurion Principles by Col. Jeff O’Leary.

 

In the book, he expounds on sound principles we can draw from the lives of many in history who have given us the example of a great leader.

 

One leader, he points out that we can emulate is Abraham Lincoln.

 

The distinguishing characteristic of his life is what he calls contact charisma.

 

Contact charisma is a connection between a leader and another that leaves the other ready to follow the leader no matter what the cost.

 

While that might sound generic or redundant to other principles regarding leadership, the emphasis is placed on the interface.

 

You see, it’s one thing for a leader to say they care about their people, it’s entirely different when the people say the leader cares for them.

It’s one thing for a leader to say they care about their people, it’s entirely different when the people say the leader cares for them. Click To Tweet

 

You’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating – People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

 

The way Lincoln was an example of this is that he wouldn’t sit perched atop the ivory tower of his presidential role, but rather during the time of our nation’s greatest internal conflict – The Civil War, he spent almost 50% of his time meeting with his generals’ face to face on the battlefield.

 

The purpose of these meetings was so he had a firsthand account of they condition they were in.

 

He was so intentional about being a leader that had a personal interaction with his followers and purposefully showed that he genuinely cared about building those relationships.

 

This charisma isn’t to be mistaken for hubris, rather this is the ability to be more transparent than others.

 

It’s the same principle spoken of by John Maxwell in his book The 360° Leader when he encourages leaders to “walk slowly through the halls”.

 

Maxwell says that relationship building is always the foundation of effective leadership.

 

This is exactly what Lincoln was doing.

 

This approach is not one whose end game is manipulation.

 

How can we become leaders with contact charisma? Here are 7 ways I believe we can integrate this into our leadership.

 

 

1. Stop saying you don’t have time

 

We can all probably argue that we’re swamped at work and in life. So what makes it possible for others to have time to stay in contact with their followers?

 

Intentionality.

 

It doesn’t take long to provide a personal visit to your employees or those on your team, even if it’s as simple as showing up, greeting them, and asking about their day, their weekend or their family life.

 

Make the time to make these meaningful connections.

 

 

2. Be an encourager

 

I realize some of us are introverts and have a hard time knowing what to say so we use this as an excuse to not connect and make contact.

 

One of the ways you can cultivate this into your leadership is to simply encourage people.

 

If we all agree we enjoy being encouraged, then treat the interaction as such – how you’d want to be treated.

 

This method of uplifting others goes a long way into the impact your leadership will have on others for not just the short-term, but for the long-term.

 

 

3. Show that you value the opinions of others

 

Don’t be the type of leader that submits your opinions and ideas as “law” or “set in stone”.

 

If God has given each of us certain talents and abilities to excel in certain areas, then as a leader, recognize that in your followers and give them the opportunity to add value.

 

By showing that everyone’s success is not built on “yes men”, others will have a greater amount of confidence in their contribution.

 

The perspective we all bring to the table has value, so allowing others to speak their opinions provides that value.

 

 

4. Focus on your “why”

 

If you promote vision and the meaning behind what is trying to be accomplished by you and your team or group, it’ll keep the goal in the center of everyone’s focus.

 

You should hammer this home so much that you sound like a broken record and others can not only repeat it, but they are reminded of it when someone asks about their work or involvement.

 

If you don’t know your why and you’ve just been churning away doing, then take the time to stop and figure it out.

 

Without a proper “why” to who you are and what you’re doing, everything else is “busy work” and you can get discouraged.

 

 

5. Remember leadership is about others

 

While some people think the arrival to leadership is a product of the time and effort they’ve put into their work or service, it’s never about a role or title.

 

John Maxwell reminds us that leadership is influence.

 

Whether you have risen to leadership quickly or slowly, that appointment is not for your glory, but for you to serve others.

 

People are longing for great leaders to lead them, so don’t be one that is only focused on self.

 People are longing for great leaders to lead them, so don’t be one that is only focused on self. Click To Tweet

 

6. Get out of your comfort zone

 

Not everyone feels as though they are a natural at being charismatic.

 

For those of us that sometimes need more than just our own personality to get us to a place where we’re making contact with others, don’t stay in your comfort zone.

 

I’m not advocating that you have to change your personality and who you were made to be, but if you’re in a leadership role, it’s imperative that you make the necessary adjustments in your day in order to make the kind of impact all leaders should strive to make.

 

 

7. Be developed so you can develop

 

One of the most overlooked aspects of our lives can be the pursuit of development.

 

Not the casual encounter with reading a book to help you learn something for your job this month, no, the intentional focus on continued learning.

 

If we are not constantly pushing and stretching ourselves to be developed into a leader that is ethical, full of integrity, transparent, and authentic, then we’ll get stagnant.

 

The more we can develop ourselves as leaders, the greater depths and higher heights we can take those that are following our leadership.

 

Don’t sit on the knowledge and level you’ve acquired up to this point as acceptable.

 

Reach higher and go further.

 

 

Regardless of how we’ve lead in the past, there’s always time for us to integrate this aspect into our leadership.

 

Try it today and leave the “what if” behind by being a stand-out leader who is intentional about their contact charisma.

 

 

Are you afraid to lead this way? What’s holding you back from being a leader who uses contact charisma?

Comment below and share your thoughts!