kharisma

Kharisma is a term used in some languages to refer to charisma, the set of personal qualities that attract attention, influence others, and inspire loyalty. In English, the standard spelling is charisma, but transliterations or localized spellings such as kharisma or karisma appear in various linguistic traditions. The spelling with kh often reflects a phonetic rendering of a voiceless velar fricative and arises from differences in alphabetization and transliteration conventions.

Use and interpretation: In social psychology and leadership studies, charisma is discussed as a factor in leadership effectiveness and social influence. Researchers debate whether charisma is an innate trait, a cluster of communicative behaviors, or a perceptual effect created by audiences. The concept remains a topic of empirical investigation and normative discussion about ethical leadership.

Regional and linguistic variation: Karisma is widely used in Indonesian and Malay; kharisma may appear in transliterations from languages that employ "kh" for certain consonants. In many contexts, kharisma is simply another spelling of the same concept, reflecting cross-cultural linguistic adaptation rather than a distinct phenomenon.

Measurement and critique: Because charisma is partly based on perception, assessments often rely on observer ratings or standardized scales of leadership qualities rather than objective criteria. Critics warn against overstating personality as the sole driver of influence, emphasizing situational and relational factors.

See also: Charisma; Leadership; Persuasion; Social psychology.