5 Ways to Cultivate Charisma

We all know someone who has that alluring magnetism that others desire. We call that magnetism “charisma,” and it has the power to influence.

What can you do to turn up your charismatic charm?

• Believe in yourself. If you don’t like yourself, why should anyone else? Having confidence in who you are and the decisions you make is often the first step in becoming a leader others view as worthy of following. If you are unsure whether you can do it, I guarantee your team will be unsure of you as well.
• Create growth. Challenge yourself and others. Set goals that sharpen you and your team. You might be tired, they might be scared, but you will all be better tomorrow than you are today for the experience. Set expectations that may create failure so that when success is achieved together, you can celebrate. Your people will live up or down to the expectations you set for them. When you help others to achieve their best, there is nothing more engaging.
• Embrace the positive. Make the choice of happiness and help others to do the same. Think about the use of your words and the power they carry. Do you see the rain as “ruining your day” or a “nourishment for the earth”? Is Monday morning the time for blues and blahs or do you start the new week better than ever before? What reality are you giving power to?
• Get over yourself. Plain and simple: No one wants to follow someone who behaves without humility. If you put yourself first, others will put you last. If you put yourself last, others will put you first. Make the conversation about the people around you. Ask great questions and listen intently to their dreams. Meeting their legitimate needs before your own will enhance your charisma.
• Be consistent. In the words of John Maxwell, “Character creates consistency, and if your people know what they can expect from you, they will continue to look to you for leadership.” Consistency in character contributes to the cultivation of charisma. Mind you, that doesn’t mean you have to exude sunshine and flowers every day. But keeping your moods and decisions relatively steady goes a long way.

Many people will tell you that you either have charisma or you don’t. However, it is possible to cultivate charisma. Charisma is a character trait bestowed upon you by others, and you can choose how you behave in order to influence other people’s perceptions of you.

Be honest with yourself about who you are and where you are in your journey. Take one step in the right direction. What are you going to do differently? Do you need honest feedback regarding how you are being perceived? Do you need to take your charisma a step further but you’re not sure where to start? Contact me at Kristal@suasion.us.

Published on the Central Penn Business Journal