About Charisma and Leadership…

“Charisma” is a word that I frequently encounter, whether in newspaper and television reports, in discussions where world leaders are oddly compared as if they shared the same circumstances, or in everyday social life. I also notice that it is used very often in various conversations, television series, and both domestic and foreign films. However, it seems to be used more often to describe a person’s attractiveness, impressiveness, movie-star-like appearance, striking handsomeness or beauty, and even the engine power or design superiority of a car or any other object. In other words, this term is actually misinterpreted and misused by many people and institutions. The concept of “charisma,” which first began to gain popularity in the United States after the 1960s, is not unique to our country but has long existed in societies around the world. Even before it was given a specific name, it was used to describe the phenomenon of a person within a group being regarded as a “natural leader” because of their distinctive characteristics, effective use of body language, attitudes, personal beliefs, and ability to exercise emotional self-control. In Webster’s Dictionary, which can be considered a universally recognized reference dictionary, the term is defined as “the individual leadership magic that inspires feelings of devotion and admiration for a statesman or military commander.” Isn’t that a rather intriguing definition? Individual leadership magic…

As can be seen particularly in societies across the Middle Eastern countries, admiring a person simply because they are powerful due to their wealth and fortune, social status and position, or influence gained from various fields does not necessarily mean that the person is charismatic. Throughout history, scholars and academics who have conducted studies in various fields such as sociology, psychology, and public administration have reached a common definition of a charismatic leader: a person whose power to influence does not rely on formal authority or position, and who is perceived by “those who follow them” as possessing extraordinary qualities. After all, if we are talking about charisma and leadership, the existence of a group of people is essential. Although levels of charisma may vary, the fundamental factor that distinguishes every leader from other individuals is their potential to influence the people around them and the developments taking place, as well as their ability to create change.

There are multiple types of leadership styles, but I cannot say that one particular style is the ideal form of leadership. In my opinion, the most appropriate leadership style depends on whether the responsibilities are political or commercial, the cultural structures of societies, the available resources, and the circumstances of the situation. However, it is worth mentioning Level 5 Leadership, which has become critically important in today’s world. As a result of a study conducted on hundreds of the world’s largest companies operating on a global scale, only 11 companies were identified as examples of sustainable success. In other words, one of the key findings of the research was that only around one percent of companies achieve sustainable success. Do you know what common characteristic was identified among these 11 companies, which operate in completely different industries and have no apparent connection with one another? They were all led by a leader who possessed Level 5 leadership qualities. According to researcher Jim Collins, what distinguishes Level 5 leaders from all other types of leaders is that they possess two defining traits: profound personal humility and exceptional professional ambition. Unlike the narcissists and sociopaths who masquerade as leaders—and who, unfortunately, make up the majority in the business world and political life—they share credit for success, constantly encourage and mentor their subordinates, and often prefer to stay in the background. They think about the period after their own leadership and, because their high ideals, vision, and passion take precedence over their ego, the work they are responsible for and the achievements they create tend to have a lasting impact. In summary, charisma in leadership is not, as commonly believed, about physical height, staring into the distance with a thoughtful expression while ignoring those around you, constantly shouting, or challenging everyone. On the contrary, it is about consistently acting with a deep sense of responsibility toward the people who follow and trust you.

Today, leaders of this level are quite rare and encountered only occasionally. However, throughout history, humanity has witnessed such leaders more frequently. Leaders of this caliber have come and gone in the scientific community, in the business world, and in the political histories of nations. I consider myself fortunate to know a leader named Mehmet Şükrü Başar, Chairman of the Board of Kervan Gıda, whom I believe embodies Level 5 Leadership through his strong sense of justice and compassion, his commitment to unity and togetherness, his belief in teamwork, his nurturing spirit that leads him to embrace and support everyone, his vision that enables him to make the right decisions, his courage in moments when others may hesitate, and the principles he applies in both his professional and personal life. And I feel fortunate once again that, as a white-collar professional who has traveled the world and made extensive observations, I have objectively identified and discovered this person as a Level 5 Leader. He is someone I can proudly present as a role model to my children, and when the time comes for me to leave this life, I will be able to tell them, “My sons, follow in your grandfather’s footsteps.”