What’s this quality they call “charisma” that everybody seems to be salivating for – as our politics come to the fore in the run-up to the elections sweepstakes?? The dictionary tells us it’s “the ability to attract the attention and admiration of others, and to be seen as a leader.” Seems that, originally, it was seen as coming from the Big Guy upstairs, but later the sociologist Weber sought to bring it down to earth and tied it to what it takes to be an effective leader.
However, he still left itrather sketchy!! He proposed that charismatic authority “rests on devotion to the exceptional sanctity, heroism or exemplary character of an individual person, and of the normative patterns or order revealed or ordained by him.” Well, duh!!
The X-factor, some call it!! But if we don’t know what charisma is, how the heck can we obtain it to become more effective leaders?? Is it what they call “mojo”? A magic charm, talisman, or spell? Well, it seems that it’s nothing external, but driven or developed internally. Sorry, we can’t just drop in to the local Obeahman and have him shower us with incantations – and voila!! Charisma!!
Well, one expert proposed that truly effective leaders must embody the three essential elements of charisma: presence, power and warmth, in every interaction with others. But that remains nebulous, doesn’t it? We all experience when someone has “presence, power and warmth”, but how the heck do we GET it??
Well, some talk about the “charisma of competence” – implying that folks who can get a job done very effectively and competently have or earn “charisma”. But we know that ain’t it, don’t we?? The policeman directing traffic onto the DHB might be doing his job very effectively, but he certainly ain’t charismatic, is he?? So, maybe we can work backwards and look at some charismatic people, then see how they got there??
Take Pressie, for instance. He’s only been at his job for less than five years, and he’s clearly charismatic, innit?? When he arrives at any occasion or function, he stands out – and not just because he’s a President. You can tell from his posture that he’s somebody who gotta be taken into account – before he utters a word. He’s got presence, and exudes power!! And warmth? Jeez…he’s a regular radiator with his hugs, wide smile and effusive greetings!!
Now, we know that when he was Minister of Housing, he didn’t have that charisma. So we know he’s worked to develop those charismatic qualities! And there’s the answer – compare him with those Ministers of his who only throw their titles and big cars around and wanna be big and bad!!
The Opposition Leader should look and learn!!
…law and order
In the old US TV series called “Law and Order”, they spell out the distinction between the two concepts. “Law”, we’re told, has to do with the Court system of judges and prosecutors, who make sure that justice is done in accordance with the law. Then there’s the “Order” part, involving the police, who’re among us to make sure we FOLLOW the law.
Now, they show that those policemen and women – being human – when doing their jobs, can also mess up, like us poor slobs, to break the law. So how do people affected by the latter actions get justice? Well, by some institution investigating those errant officers and bringing them before the “Law”!! In the US show, policemen are investigated by a police department called “Internal Affairs”. Our equivalent is the Office of Professional Responsibility!!
But locals are skeptical about that Office being impartial, and so – as in the case of the Linden police shootings – the Caricom RSS team is investigating.
Can we please give them a chance??
…communications
Your Eyewitness is pretty chuffed that we now have Elon Musk’s “Starlink Satellite” system available to ensure we can communicate seamlessly across our variegated 83,000 square miles of coastland, hills, mountains, forests and interior savannahs!
Beam me up, Scotty!!
