The Charisma Myth

The author quickly reassures us: even if it seems innate, charisma can be learnt and developed! Whatever our starting point, she encourages us to work at it. Indeed, it has a significant impact on teams’ performance and on our capacity to lead transformation.

She first recalls the three components of charisma: power, human warmth and presence. We easily follow a person if we think he/she wishes us well and is able to protect us. Yet, we make this evaluation subconsciously, in a few milliseconds. And when we have a doubt, we place higher trust on the non-verbal language of the person than on his/her discourse.

The author then demonstrates that different forms of charisma exist, some of which are innate. They are more or less relevant depending on the circumstances and we gain by developing those with which we are less familiar.

She complements this analysis by recommendations that are sometimes counter-intuitive. The individuals that wish to develop their charisma are tempted to speak more and louder, to move a lot, sometimes to cut out others to make their presence known; in short, to overdo it. Yet, the key to charisma is minimalism. Really powerful and influential people speak little, listen, are not scared of being interrupted or of leaving moments of silence.

After numerous practical pieces of advice, the author concludes on the necessity to check on our level of charisma: beware not to be too charismatic and transform your staff members into followers with no critical mind!

This book will provide you with interesting angles to develop your own charisma and tools to decode the demonstrations of charisma around you.