Bush's Charisma Will Be Shaped by a War with Iraq

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- President Bush's leadership during a war with Iraq will shape public perception of his charisma says James R. Meindl, a University at Buffalo School of Management professor who studies attributes of leadership and charisma.

"A person's ability to appear decisive, bold and in control in a crisis is a major component of what makes him or her appear to be charismatic, and a good leader," says Meindl.

According to Meindl, there's a "honeymoon period" for leaders during a crisis, but leaders who fail to adapt or respond to changing circumstances/situations after the crisis usually become less charismatic.