Charisma is an individual’s ability to attract and influence other people. While it is often described as a mysterious quality that one either has or doesn't have, some experts argue that the skills of charismatic people can be learned and cultivated.
The Art and Science of Charisma
Charisma brings to mind powerful business leaders, rock stars on stage, politicians at the podium. Yet charisma’s most fundamental power may lie in the effect it has on everyone else. The ability to move others is an asset for leading people toward shared objectives. Charisma can also have a dark side, insofar as narcissistic individuals and predators use their powers to manipulate others.
Charisma is a personal quality , evident in the way an individual communicates to others, that makes someone more influential. This power to attract attention and influence people can be embodied in the way someone speaks, what someone says, and how someone looks when communicating.
A variety of factors can make a person charismatic. They include but are not limited to: confidence, exuberance, optimism , expressive body language , and a passionate voice. People with charisma are often enthusiastic and speak with assertiveness .
Martin Luther King, Jr., Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama are examples of famous leaders widely considered charismatic—skilled at delivering messages that united and inspired those who followed them. Business leaders, performers, and others, from Oprah Winfrey to Bono, could also be called charismatic. And so could people like Adolf Hitler, who have used charisma to lead followers to destructive ends.
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For a comprehensive understanding of charisma, read our complete guide: