Charisma is not who you are. Charisma is what you do.
Many people bemoan the fact that they “are not charismatic”. But this kind of thinking is not productive. Anyone can be more charismatic if they are willing to work at it. Because charisma is all about actions and behaviours. It is a skill that can be learned and developed.
Here are seven simple things that you can do to boost your charisma, whether on stage or off.
1. Make eye contact with your audience or the people with whom you are speaking. Don’t look at your phone or down at the floor or out the window.
2. Smile. It’s the shortest distance between two people. In most cultures, it conveys warmth and welcoming.
3. Listen actively. Don’t listen to respond; listen to understand fully what the other person is saying.
4. Speak with confidence. Don’t “uptalk”. Your voice should come down at the end of a statement.
5. Tell stories. Stories engage people and add context and meaning to the point you want to make.
6. Be authentic. As Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
7. Show compassion for others. Genuinely care about the people with whom you are speaking.
I have captured these ideas, with images, in the 2-minute video below:
Charisma is all of this plus reading the audience’s non-verbal response – I suggest – “reading the listening face”
Hi Tom. There is certainly more to charisma than the seven ideas in the video. I like the idea of “reading the listening face”. It is like active listening when you are speaking.
This is a great article and points to charisma having many applications. Being confident, authentic, and compassionate can build the foundation for an exchange of ideas.
I look forward to reading future posts. Fallon
Much appreciated, Fallon. I love the idea of building a foundation for an exchange of ideas. So true.