1. Some people walk
into a room and all
heads turn. When they
begin to speak, people
are mesmerized.
They instantly gain
respect and trust. In a
word, they have charis-
ma – one of the most
desirable and enviable
qualities in the world.
What is charisma?
It’s hard to define, but
it is many things, such
as likeability. If you want
to influence people, they
must like you and
respect you, but charis-
ma is so much more.
I believe the defini-
tion is found in the let-
ters of the word itself.
• Confidence – Con-
fidence doesn’t come
naturally to most peo-
ple. Even the most suc-
cessful people have
struggled with it in their
careers. The good news
is you can develop con-
fidence, just like any
muscle or character
trait, if you’re willing to
work hard. Charismatic
people believe in them-
selves, and they share
that confidence with the
people around them.
We want to follow
leaders who believe they
(and we) can do any-
thing. Don’t ignore
obstacles, but focus on
what you can achieve.
•Happiness–I
believewewerebornto
behappy.Thehappiest
peopleIknowarenotthe
richestorthemost
attractiveoreventhe
bestatwhattheydo.
Thehappiestpeople
arethosewhodiscover
whattheyshouldbe
doingandwhattheyare
doingarethesame
things.Truehappiness
liesinsatisfaction,which
isanessentialelementof
charisma.Peoplewho
arehappyaremuchmore
pleasanttobearound,
andtheytendtospread
happiness.
• Authentic – Be real.
Be yourself. Be consis-
tent. When people know
what to expect from
you, they are more com-
fortable approaching
you. Even if there may
be disagreement or dif-
ference of opinion, they
know whom they are
dealing with and that
you have values and
standards that are con-
stantly demonstrated.
• Respect – Charis-
matic people not only
command respect, they
offer it in return. You
will never meet a charis-
matic bully – no one
likes to be pushed
around. I think that one
of the most important
skills to master is learn-
ing how to respectfully
disagree. Even when you
don’t agree with them,
or you want them to do
something different,
give supporters, poten-
tial allies and even
adversaries your full
attention when they’re
speaking.
Showyourespecttheir
viewpoint,andthey’ll
morereadilylistentoyou
andyourideas.
• Interested – Are you
the person who walks
into a room and
announces,“Here I am.”
or are you more likely to
say “It’s so good to see
you.” Putting the
emphasis on others is
not only charming, it’s a
wonderful way to
acknowledge that they
are important to you.
• Smile – It’s so sim-
ple, yet so significant.
SEE CHARISMA, PAGE 7
EXCHANGE
GUEST COLUMN
Mesmerized by the charismatic
HARVEY MACKAY
4 | Monday, February 29, 2016 | Redwood Gazette | redwoodfallsgazette.com
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Super Tuesday
EDITORIAL
March 1 is Super Tuesday.
More than a dozen states are going to be par-
ticipating in the first step toward electing the
next president tomorrow, and you have the
opportunity to get involved through what is
known as the precinct caucus.
In Minnesota people of like-minded political
views from the DFL or Republican perspective
gather together Tuesday to participate at the
precinct level – getting involved in the process
that will help determine what names end up on
the ballot this November.
This is a great opportunity for you to speak
your mind and, if you desire, to become even
more involved as the process continues.
The precinct is the basic political unit of the
U.S. form of government. It brings neighbors
together at a common place to talk about the
issues that are important and to select those
people they think would represent their per-
spective at the next level.
During this year’s precinct caucuses in
Redwood County eligible attendees (if you are
going to be 18 by the November general election
you are eligible to participate) will take part in a
presidential preference vote. The result of that
vote will determine how many voting delegates
each candidate will receive for each party’s
national convention held later this year.
Also at the precinct caucus delegates and
alternates to the county convention will be
elected from each precinct.
Those attending may also address topics of
importance, and the precinct can create a reso-
lution regarding that issue. If that resolution is
approved by the precinct attendees, it is then
sent on for further consideration at the county
level. As resolutions move through the process
they can potentially become part of the party
platform, which addresses the issues most per-
tinent to the party as a whole.
Precinct caucuses are the great equalizer, as
everyone is eligible to participate. You don’t
have to be elected. All you have to do is show
up. So do it this Tuesday.
STATE REPRESENTATIVES
• District 16 Sen. Gary Dahms, 121 State Office
Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.,
St. Paul, MN 55155, (651) 296-8138,
sen.gary.dahms@senate.mn
• District 16A Rep. Chris Swedzinski, 491 State
Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Blvd., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155, (651) 296-5374,
rep.chris.swedzinski@house.mn
• District 16B Rep. Paul Torkelson, 381 State Office
Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.,
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155, (651) 296-9303,
rep.paul.torkelson@house.mn
• District 17 Sen. Lyle Koenen, G-9 State Capitol
Building, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., St.
Paul, MN 55155, (651) 296-5094,
sen.lyle.koenen@senate.mn
• District 22 Sen. Bill Weber, 125 State Office
Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.,
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155, (651) 296-5650,
sen.bill.weber@senate.mn
• District 22B Rep. Rod Hamilton, 443 State Office
Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.,
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155, (651) 296-5373,
rep.rod.hamilton@house.mn
Friendship and fami-
ly are truly a special
gift and experience we
typically take for
granted in our lives.
Many of us are blessed
with families at birth,
but the friends that we
make through life can
be equally greater, if
not stronger. I know
firsthand that blood
isn’t always thicker
than water, and I’m
confident that others
can relate.
Family relationships
can often be an arduous
experience, as we tend
to have many disagree-
ments and differences
with our family mem-
bers. Family is tied
together by blood, but
that can often lead to
complications, and
many may struggle to
understand and accept
the breakdown within
their family unit. As we
journey through life we
have the opportunity to
surround ourselves
with a new family – our
friends.
As a young adult
moving out of my par-
ents’ home I slowly
started to expand my
social circle. I firmly
believe in the adage of
not having many
friends, but possessing
friends of great quality.
In my first year at
community college I
befriended an intelli-
gent and charismatic
woman named Katie,
and we quickly became
fast friends.
Over time I had the
wonderful opportunity
to meet Katie’s family –
her parents, Gary and
Diane, and siblings Jon
and Amanda. They all
accepted me for who I
was, not for who they
wanted me to be.
Over time we began
to enjoy the summer
weather barbecuing
and going for leisurely
car trips around Green
Lake, often with the car
windows down and
classic rock playing
over the radio.
I recently heard the
phrase “life is made of
moments,” and in the
past 18 years my second
family and I have
shared many moments
together. Their family
dynamics and friend-
ship has given us the
strength and opportu-
nity to evolve.
My friends have
become my family in
every possible capacity,
always being there for
me through the hills
and valleys in life.
As my friends and I
move forward in life we
face new challenges
and even sadness. I’ve
been lucky to lose very
few people in my life up
until now, but as I am
faced with the loss of a
friend who has become
family, the most pow-
erful way to express my
love and appreciation is
with these words.
“Your love, support
and humor have mold-
ed me into the person
that I am today. I thank
you and love you all
beyond words, and you
have all taught me well.
Please know that I will
do my best to be there
for you all – always and
forever.”
They say blood is
thicker than water, but
family is created with
the most simple ele-
ment – friendship.
We often get dis-
tracted by trying to
discover who we are.
Yet all we have to do is
look at our friends and
family to discover and
learn more about our-
selves. My second fam-
ily’s love and friendship
has guided me for the
past 18 years and most
importantly taught me
it’s not what I am that’s
important, but the per-
son I have become.
Thank you 827, you
truly are a gold-mine
treasure.
MOVING FORWARD
Friends: The essence of life
PAUL HUNTER ZAID