We all have that someone who lights up hearts and rooms with just their presence.
What is behind all their allure?
Their looks?
Is it the way they move and talk?
Or is it their attitude and personality?
What is Charisma?
In Greek, charisma means ‘a divine gift.‘
Many people have written about charisma, some of them have gone ahead and called charisma a super natural attribute reserved for the lucky few.
So is charisma a gift -or can it be trained?
Here are some insights into charisma.
What makes someone charismatic?
Charisma can come from different sources including looks, behavior, and speech. Actors like Marilyn Monroe are charismatic, initially, because of their looks. Athletes may appear charismatic because of their exceptional abilities on the field.
Even knowledge about someone’s previous performance, such as their accomplishments or creativity, can make them appear charismatic (e.g., Steve Jobs).
A lot depends on how well you know the person. If you don’t have much information about them, then looks and performance signals play a big role.
If you do—like with candidates during an election—then speech matters more and could even override looks.
Is charisma a personality trait, a skill, or a gift?
It’s a combination of nature and nurture. Whereas some people may have an innate ability to be more charismatic.
Some people have learned various tactics through experiences and role models and use them without even realizing it.
Others need more practice. Although it helps to have intelligence and extraversion, having magnetism has a lot to do with speaking in a way that will attract the attention of others.
Can charisma be learned?
It’s not only leaders who can benefit from honing their charisma. These skills can be useful in a variety of settings and professions that draw on forging emotional connections with others.