Abstract
For generations, the representation of the charisma concept has been characterized by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi, John F Kennedy, or more recently Barrack Obama. Although these leaders engaged in completely different things in their life to be recognized as charismatic, they were credited with common skills such as confidence, physical stamina and interpersonal skills which created very special relationship with their followers.
The concept of charisma was created in the early 1920s by Max Weber. It was viewed as a "Divine gift" for a long time before additional scientific explanations were attributed to it in the mid1970s.
The concept of charisma increasingly figures in our daily life, as part of political communication, campaigns and as a tool of seduction. Indeed, most people are confronted by this concept without really being able to measure, define or even recognize it. Therefore, we will, in the first part of this paper, observe the confrontation of various theories which have been published since that of Weber.
Secondly, through the analysis of various speeches made by well known charismatic people, in terms of communication strategies and neuro-linguistic programs, we will identify the most common techniques implemented. Also, we are going to observe the importance of other forms of power.
Finally, the conclusion will be based on the author's opinion.
The word charisma (origins from the Greek word χάρισμα (kharisma), "gift" or "divine favor," from kharizesthai, "to favor," from kharis, "favor") refers to a rare trait found in certain human personalities usually including extreme charm and a 'magnetic' quality of personality and/or appearance along with innate and powerfully sophisticated personal communicability and persuasiveness.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charisma)
