Coaches Corner: Can 'charisma' be learnt?

The question of what makes a great leader is a question we constantly strive to answer. Some may adapt a more pragmatic approach, whilst others may assume a more friendly and personal tactic, one thing they must have in common is the ability to persuade and engage their audience to buy into their vision.

Robin Kermode, Founder of professional training and coaching firm ZONE2, and one of Europe’s leading communications coaches, spoke to us exclusively about the fundamental characteristics that leaders are looking to develop and how they can achieve them.

“Senior global leaders are always asking me: ‘How can I have more gravitas and how can I have more charisma?’ In other words, ‘How can I look more like a leader?’

“Gravitas and charisma are a bit like ‘The X Factor’, we can spot them easily when we see them but they often seem illusive when we feel we don't have them. And as senior leaders climb the ladder they feel they are expected to possess these qualities naturally.