How charisma is a superpower we gift to others | Elizabeth Zechmeister | TEDxNashvilleSalon

What is charisma? Is it a personal quality? Part of our personality? When we think of charismatic leaders, specific names come to mind, but those names usually differ based on our political views. Why is that? In her TEDx talk, Dr. Elizabeth Zechmeister shows how her research revealed a surprising fact: Charisma doesn't come strictly from within us, but rather it is a quality we gift to others. We award charisma to selected leaders especially when we feel vulnerable, and we ignore more critical views. Charisma is indeed a kind of superpower, but one that comes with both positive and negative consequences.
Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Zechmeister is the Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science at Vanderbilt University. Professor Zechmeister received her Ph.D. from Duke University in 2003. Her research focuses on comparative political behavior and public opinion, in particular in Latin America. Her work includes studies of voting, ideology, political parties, representation, charisma, and crisis. Zechmeister has received support from the National Science Foundation for investigations into the public opinion consequences of terrorist threats and natural disasters. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@danielrust5398]

I always thought my Dad was superman and I believe this even more because of the way he battled cancer. Rest in peace Dad.

[@thedislikebutton1907]

Indeed he was RIP🙏

[@pioggiarilassante67]

I don't know who needs to hear this, but everything is going to be fine. Release all negative thoughts and relax

[@freemygrandma8752]

Charisma can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

[@silverlinings3946]

Charisma is more often dangerous than not.

[@freemygrandma8752]

@@silverlinings3946 You're definitely right because Ted Bundy was beautiful with charisma. He is the epitome of charisma being in the wrong hands.

[@danielrust5398]

@@silverlinings3946 But the charisma in good people makes a lasting change. The charisma in bad people doesn't make a lasting change because we have Jesus. RIP Jesus, Martin Luther King, and Abraham Lincoln

[@soniad1]

I empathize with the speaker. TED outsources this event and now TED talks are given to people having dinner. The speaker did not seem comfortable with all those disrupting noises.

[@EnglishWithDidi_]

The noise was really distracting and disturbing. 😓

[@robialamsyah8788]

Hii, I find someone for making conversation about cross culture. If you can help me, just reply this comment. Ok... Actually this is my exercise from my lecture.

[@astorpina7324]

Let's see this amazing channel one more time!😎

[@rbaskaran1218]

Truth

[@RaulRodriguez-wn7wr]

@@rbaskaran1218 FACT

[@LA-en7rf]

I am told at least twice every day how much charisma I have. And one person told me that they admired and appreciated that about and wish they had my charisma. I think it’s my greatest strength 😌

[@SeizedaJay]

Same here. I attribute my charisma to always making ppl feel wanted and heard.

[@pash9956]

No, that's your vanity. Quit tooting your horn.

[@LA-en7rf]

@@pash9956 jealous much 😅

[@iCheetosbutter]

It’s time to be the superman her dad was to her as I want to be to everyone in my surroundings. All praises to the most high.

[@ibbycity]

allah huakbar

[@chaserandazzo3738]

Bravo! Beautiful!

[@viviennemakwakwa994]

My dad was also a super human in my eyes. Mandela was my president while I was a teenager. His charisma is still with us in South Africa years later.

[@robialamsyah8788]

Hii, I find someone for making conversation about cross culture. If you can help me, just reply this comment. Ok... Actually this is my exercise from my lecture.

[@fanatikruski79]

Very good

[@odayab6132]

Exactly..

[@Travellexplorer]

Good

[@OverlordC]

Great talk Dr. Z, thank you. Your research applies perfectly to explain Germany in the second world war, as well as leadership in benign regimes. I'm glad you ditched the podium.

[@BrianMcInnis87]

*Give*. The verb is *give*. Gift is a noun.

[@nicholasandriani]

I immediately think of the Charismatic leaders of thrilling super-cults and radical religions. And Tony Stark...

[@dmitriponomarev8002]

Too many people here believe that their dad is Christopher Reeve.

[@pash9956]

Charismatic people empower others. They get them excited about all kinds of possibilities. They don't have an agenda. Dubya had a mischievous presence but he was NOT charismatic.

[@silverlinings3946]

You've obviously missed the point of the talk. People thought he was charismatic, because they were scared. It was the scared people who gifted him charisma.

[@pash9956]

@@silverlinings3946 I made my own observation. Dubya is not in any way, shape or form, charismatic. Fear has nothing to do with anything.

[@silverlinings3946]

@@pash9956 you are still missing the point. Why do you not listen to the talk again? That talk wasn't about you.

[@pash9956]

@@silverlinings3946 This talk is not worth listening to twice. An academic breakdown of something as ineffable as charisma is just a little too dry. I'd rather enjoy the mystery of it.

[@aixaortiz-vega3423]

Who in the world planned this event?? Silverware clanking throughout the whole thing, someone’s phone going off, another person passing right in front of the camera view??! It was so distracting! Get it together please

[@ikkedansk]

you haven't researched well, it's called "groupthink" when charismatic leaders can attract people that fall flat for strong and charismatic leaders, those are "groupthinkers" this could be boiled down with least 70%

[@mcmattt1]

this could have been 4 minutes long and just as informative.

[@mr.c2485]

Charisma requires much more bloviation.

[@-ahmed121]

F

[@sohamwawdhane627]

Abe 😂 32 million subscribers hai phir be 10k ya 5k views video bana ke kya phayada 😂😂

[@HardeepSingh-xy2hc]

Your 💩 think

[@RaulRodriguez-wn7wr]

Use your charisma to further your human power is spiritual power to your higher being but also remember that you are human you must respect the human part of you and the way you respect that is by using your godly power honor your godly power and that'll show you to honor your Human Side in the humanity of all you'll see them all as God's Angel's Oracle's

[@ZPositive]

It's _give,_ not _gift._ Gift is a noun, give is a verb.

[@collinsaddo3982]

Remember also that sometimes a noun can be used as a verb. The difference comes in with how it's pronounced.

[@OverlordC]

Gifting is common usage.

[@andya5558]

Yeah, look that up again. "Gift" can absolutely be used as a verb.

[@giftedgreen2152]

I can’t think of any demographic less charismatic than liberals.