The Charisma Myth : How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism

What if charisma could be taught? For the first time, science and technology have taken charisma apart, figured it out and turned it into an applied science: In controlled laboratory experiments, researchers could raise or lower people's level of charisma as if they were turning a dial. What you'll find here is practical magic: unique knowledge, drawn from a variety of sciences, revealing what charisma really is and how it works. You'll get both the insights and the techniques you need to apply this knowledge. The world will become your lab, and every person you meet, a chance to experiment. The Charisma Myth is a mix of fun stories, sound science, and practical tools. Cabane takes a hard scientific approach to a heretofore mystical topic, covering what charisma actually is, how it is learned, what its side effects are, and how to handle them. Read more... Abstract: What if charisma could be taught? For the first time, science and technology have taken charisma apart, figured it out and turned it into an applied science: In controlled laboratory experiments, researchers could raise or lower people's level of charisma as if they were turning a dial. What you'll find here is practical magic: unique knowledge, drawn from a variety of sciences, revealing what charisma really is and how it works. You'll get both the insights and the techniques you need to apply this knowledge. The world will become your lab, and every person you meet, a chance to experiment. The Charisma Myth is a mix of fun stories, sound science, and practical tools. Cabane takes a hard scientific approach to a heretofore mystical topic, covering what charisma actually is, how it is learned, what its side effects are, and how to handle them The charisma myth is the idea that charisma is a fundamental, inborn quality--you either have it (Bill Clinton, Steve Jobs, Oprah) or you don't. But that's simply not true, as Olivia Fox Cabane reveals. Charismatic behaviors can be learned and perfected by anyone. Drawing on techniques she originally developed for Harvard and MIT, Cabane breaks charisma down into its components. Becoming more charismatic doesn't mean transforming your fundamental personality. It's about adopting a series of specific practices that fit in with the personality you already have. The Charisma Myth shows you how to become more influential, more persuasive, and more inspiring Introduction 1 Charisma Demystified 2 The Charismatic Behaviors: Presence, Power, and Warmth 3 The Obstacles to Presence, Power, and Warmth 4 Overcoming the Obstacles 5 Creating Charismatic Mental States 6 Different Charisma Styles 7 Charismatic First Impressions 8 Speaking—and Listening—with Charisma 9 Charismatic Body Language 10 Difficult Situations 11 Presenting with Charisma 12 Charisma in a Crisis 13 The Charismatic Life: Rising to the Challenge Conclusion Recommended Resources Chapter Summaries Charisma Exercises Acknowledgments Notes About the Author Index