| What exactly is Charisma? Most would agree that | | | | Charismatic people have a "twinkle" or "sparkle" in |
| it is a magical, illusive, personal quality, divinely | | | | their eye. You know what I mean. They have the |
| endowed on some people more than others. One | | | | essence of a positive and energizing manner of |
| thing is for certain, it is more easily identified than | | | | thought and immediately are able to transfer that |
| defined. It is the secret to being liked and agreed | | | | feeling to others. These traits allow the |
| with by others. It is the much sought-after quality | | | | charismatic person to connect easily with others. |
| that causes people to envy others because of | | | | A charismatic person will illuminate a room by |
| their congeniality and ease at which they interact | | | | simply walking into it. We have all experienced this |
| with people. Charisma, like many other character | | | | feeling as we have personally witnessed the |
| traits, may be gifted more to some, but | | | | change of mood or emotional intensity in a room |
| regardless of your given level, charisma, like any | | | | simply because of the presence of an individual |
| other skill, can be further developed. | | | | who has just entered. |
| It is officially defined as "an unusual ability to | | | | A great example of a well known charismatic |
| influence people and arouse devotion" and "a | | | | person is former president Bill Clinton. Whether or |
| personal attractiveness that enables you to | | | | not you agree with his politics or antics, most |
| influence others." Other definitions describe it as "a | | | | people would agree that he might arguably be one |
| gift, the ability to charm or influence people" and | | | | of the most charismatic leaders of our time. |
| "appeal, magnetism, presence and leadership | | | | Why? Was he always correct? Did he have the |
| ability." Dr. Tony Alessandra defines charisma as | | | | total support of the Congress or the American |
| "the ability to influence others positively by | | | | people? Did other world leaders always see things |
| connecting with them physically, emotionally, and | | | | his way? Was he faultless? Of course he was not. |
| intellectually." Harvard anthropologist Charles | | | | He was never any of those things. |
| Lindholm defines it as "above all, a relationship, a | | | | What President Clinton has is an uncanny ability to |
| mutual mingling of the inner selves of leader and | | | | persuade people to his point of view. He has the |
| follower." | | | | ability to make a connection with people at all |
| Charisma certainly has several key components, | | | | levels by being sincerely interested in them. His |
| Dr. Alessandra choosing to summarize them as | | | | influence on others is profound. He has a |
| intellectual, physical and emotional. Intellectual | | | | commanding physical presence, yet maintains a |
| charisma is often characterized by an impressive | | | | boyish charm. He is extremely intelligent and |
| vocabulary and an ability to draw out the best | | | | well-read. He is articulate yet not at all |
| and most thoughtful ideas from others. A | | | | condescending. Many would describe him as |
| well-read person with an impressive and | | | | handsome. He has possessed and experienced the |
| resonating speaking style is usually associated with | | | | power of the Presidency of the United States. He |
| being very charismatic. A person who is | | | | also has that "sparkle" in his eye. The man has |
| extremely well educated but not arrogant might | | | | great charisma! |
| too be considered as charismatic. Leadership ability | | | | Can you be charismatic like President Clinton? |
| is often associated with charisma. | | | | Certainly you can. You already have some |
| Physical charisma is often evident simply because | | | | charisma, certain strengths and abilities that others |
| of ones commanding presence and impressive | | | | find attractive. Develop these. Look people in the |
| physical stature. It may also be embellished by | | | | eye. Listen carefully when you are conversing. |
| the relative attractiveness of that person, | | | | Take a genuine interest in their point of view. Be |
| whether male or female. A great handshake, a | | | | quick to forgive minor errors and sincerely issue |
| confident, articulate voice and positive eye | | | | compliments and polite gratitude where |
| contact that conveys "I am interested in learning | | | | appropriate. You may not be able to do anything |
| more about you and respect you immensely" are | | | | about your physical stature, but you can still have |
| all means of conveying charisma. Great posture, | | | | a commanding presence by means of your |
| proximity and even wardrobe all adds to a | | | | confidence level, your posture, your voice and |
| persons' charismatic quotient. | | | | your eye contact. |
| Emotional charisma is conveyed by a sense of | | | | Charisma is not merely a gift from God that was |
| being a deep thinker or one who is willing to | | | | bestowed upon some people, but given to all. You |
| ponder the larger picture. These people have a | | | | have some charisma, just like President Clinton. |
| tendency to bring out the best in the rest of us | | | | Determine your strengths and build on those first. |
| by causing us to dig deeper emotionally and seek | | | | Target other areas where you would like to grow |
| out better answers to the challenges in life. They | | | | and get busy. Making the effort to further |
| see more in us than we sometimes see in | | | | develop your charisma is truly gratifying and will |
| ourselves. They are both motivating and | | | | surely pay you back in spades. |
| captivating people. | | | | |