In fact, everyone would admire a charismatic person. The word “charisma” originally came from the Greek word “Charis,” which means "the power or talent bestowed by the gods." However, you don't need this kind of power to win people over; science has shown that charismatic personality traits can be learned.
What exactly is a charismatic personality?
A charismatic person is outgoing, capable of taking charge, efficient, and friendly. They have the capacity to influence others, and it is possible to learn behavioral skills like self-awareness, body language, active listening, and treating everyone with the same level of respect.
Despite popular opinion, charisma is a quality that is not only found in famous or well-known individuals. Whether you consider yourself attractive (or not), extroverted or introverted, witty or well-liked, charisma is a skill that can be learned.
A charismatic person can convince others because they come across as dependable, approachable, and fully present. Charismatic individuals also demonstrate competence and kindness by using their strengths in any social setting, as we all possess both weaknesses and strengths.
Developing a charismatic personality that allows you to connect with people and influence them requires knowledge of the following:
- Self-awareness.
- Balancing kindness and competence.
- Treating everyone equally.
What qualities distinguish charismatic people?
Charismatic personality traits include some key behavioral indicators, and here are 12 traits of charismatic individuals:
1. Self-awareness
People can invest in their strengths and hide their flaws when they are self-aware. Being self-aware means being aware of your own thoughts, feelings, and how your presence and behavior affect other people.
Being fully present, content, and confident in yourself requires self-awareness. Being mindful can help you become more self-aware, and you don't need to be an expert at meditation to do so.
You can control your thoughts by mastering mindfulness techniques. You are always fully present and aware when communicating with others because the present moment is the focus of your awareness in every situation.
The foundation for the other charismatic personality traits to follow is increasing self-awareness. You become more aware of the interpersonal skills you need to develop as your self-awareness increases.
You don't have to become a perfectionist either, as research indicates that doing so can alienate people. Being likable is a result of accepting your flaws; the key is finding the right balance.
2. Kindness
Kindness is a crucial component of charisma, and nice people are typically likeable, understanding, and caring. Optimism and enthusiasm are other ways that kind people show their enthusiasm.
Some people have a natural tendency to be kind to others, and in circumstances where you feel at ease and socially able to relate to others, you can foster kindness more easily, and others will trust you more if you are kind to them.
Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication by American author Vanessa Van Edwards is the most recent book on body language supported by scientific research. It claims that people decide whether they can trust you within the first five minutes of interaction, so making the right impression is crucial.
3. Competence
A charismatic personality can also convey competence with a blend of strength, capability, and intelligence, where competence is the ability to lead.
Consider the aura of confidence that the founder and former CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, exudes because he is a man who knows how to get things done.
For instance, when someone is assessing your leadership abilities during a job interview, they are assessing your capacity to carry out your commitments.
Less kindness and more competence could help build trust. However, the basis of charismatic leadership is striking the right balance between kindness and skill. A persuasive and charismatic leader possesses both qualities because striking the right balance between competence and kindness conveys sincerity.
There is no need to keep pretending to be competent until you are. Subtle body language cues that make people less interested in what you have to say can be used to spot fakeness. A jerky jaw, tense neck, furrowed brow, or raised brow are a few examples.
According to Business Insider, each of these is a sign of stress. People may become uneasy after extended eye contact. Making a good first impression and coming across as competent and kind are both very charismatic.
Practical advice: Remember that preparation is key. Therefore, in order to improve your charismatic competence, prepare some questions to demonstrate that the evaluation process is mutual. This will boost your self-esteem, confidence, and competence the next time you need to establish a crucial connection with someone, such as your next potential boss or your current boss.
4. Clear body language and calmness
A person with a charismatic personality typically exudes confidence and gains admiration through their clear, calm body language, which then promotes their charisma.
People are drawn to people who show their hands and use them when speaking, and Jacquelyn Smith of Business Insider claims that people are perceived as more trustworthy when their hands are visible.
Howard Stern, an American actor and presenter, is a master of calm body language. He makes expressive use of his hands.
Practical advice: choose five new hand gestures that you find attractive and practice them in front of a mirror to improve your charisma. You can also speak charismatically while using your hands.
5. Deciding where to have conversations with others
A highly charismatic individual is typically aware of their best environments and the occasions and gatherings they enjoy networking at. If you detest meetings, it's not a good idea to try to network at a conference.
Your social life needs to be planned. Not every player must perform every duty on a team; Instead, each participant holds a position in which they can apply their strengths. As a result, if you want to succeed in social networking, go where you feel at ease and at home.
Daniel Craig, an English actor, is a prime example of an introvert who is aware of his social limitations; on many occasions, he prefers to stay at home rather than interact with others.
6. Active listening
Paying attention to every word spoken by others is a trait of a charismatic personality. A person who pays close attention to what you say will frequently make you feel like you are the most important person in the room and that you are a standout individual during your time together.
Consider how popular host Ellen DeGeneres draws in the subjects of her interviews by concentrating on her guests. She clearly pays attention because she maintains eye contact with the guests and expresses her opinion.
Practical advice: Use active listening to increase your charisma by implementing these nine suggestions:
6.1. Turn your face toward the speaker and maintain comfortable eye contact
Check your posture, ensure that you appear interested in the conversation, try hunching over a little, maintain relaxed eye contact with clear body language (no crossed arms or legs), and if you must look away, avoid looking down as it might raise suspicion.
6.2. Pay attention to the body language of the other person
Pay attention to the other person's facial expressions, tone of voice, and hand gestures. If the speaker appears defensive, maintain clear and nonthreatening body language.
6.3. Don't interrupt
This is a golden rule. Interrupting demonstrates disrespect and a failure to pay attention.
6.4. Pay attention without judging
Additionally, avoid making assumptions about what someone will say next. Keep your awareness up and refrain from passing judgment on what is being said if you notice that you are emotionally responding to what you have heard.
6.5. Refrain from planning your next line of speech
It is impossible to listen and plan at the same time.
6.6. Demonstrate active listening
Make sure you convey that you are paying attention by expressing it verbally and physically by smiling, nodding, and using affirmative verbalizations like "Yes," "I understand," "Right," etc. Avoid fidgeting, looking at your watch, and checking your phone.
6.7. Avoid offering unwelcome advice
Listening intently is frequently more advantageous than expressing one's own thoughts and opinions. Active listening allows people to find their own solutions. If you have a solution you would like to suggest, make sure the other party will accept it by asking in advance, "Can I make a suggestion?"
6.8. Ask questions to make sure you understand
Verifying your understanding of someone helps you stay focused and makes them feel valued and heard. Do this by engaging with people and asking them open-ended questions like, "How did you feel…?" and "Did you mean that…?"
6.9. Think and sum up
You can try saying, "So, I think what you're saying is [this]. Is that true?" or "It sounds like you're saying..." Doing so demonstrates that you were paying attention and helps clear up any misunderstandings.
7. Fun
People who are charismatic frequently use humor to dispel others' fears and ease tension. People adore the sense of relief that good communication brings to all parties in awkward circumstances. Playfulness is a crucial social skill.
8. Self-control
It's obvious that emotional control is a key trait of charismatic personalities. High-charismatic individuals exhibit self-control, which prevents them from being receptive or impulsive. Instead, they act impulsively to the extent that the situation requires.
Dwayne Johnson, a well-known actor, is the ideal illustration of this. He has worked hard to achieve a body that is sculpted and symmetrical, like a Greek statue. He works out six days a week and consumes only egg whites and oatmeal for food.
Practical advice: Add some kind of discipline to your life, such as working out, taking daily cold showers, taking yoga classes, gardening, going to bed early, and avoiding junk food, to help you develop self-control. These are all techniques you can use to discipline yourself.
9. Humility
Charismatics tend to treat everyone the same, regardless of their status, and this is a very popular trait. If you talk to the waiter who serves you a drink at a party the same way you talk to the host, you'll become popular right away—unless, of course, you're treating both people badly.
Practical advice: Practice being equally polite and nice to everyone to boost your charisma. Greet everyone with a smile and the same mannerisms.
10. Keep eye contact
Maintaining eye contact with others at the right intensity conveys interest, confidence, and care. It should be natural but direct.
Practical advice: Try to determine someone's eye color, but do it quickly and watch out not to stare too intently; you don't want to come off as scary.
It's important to keep in mind that not everyone enjoys eye contact, which can vary depending on culture. A great way to determine someone's tolerance for eye contact is by reading their body language.
11. Participate in praise and spread it
The most charismatic leaders share praise with their team and colleagues, and they do so at every opportunity. One example is Canadian actor Keanu Reeves' moving speech during his induction into Canada's Walk of Fame, in which he paid tribute to all the people and places that helped shape who he is today.
According to research, when someone speaks poorly of another person, they also take on the characteristics they attribute to that person. Therefore, it is best to compliment others on their positive traits since they are connected to you due to the halo effect.
Practical advice: Always remember who helped you when you did a great job, and always remember to give credit to others the next time you get something or receive a compliment. If it's about what you're wearing, mention the retailer or the quality of the manufacturer.
12. Recall people's names
Recalling the names of the people you meet in life can help you stand out from the crowd and win more admiration from them.
How can you tell if a person is charismatic?
Their distinct blend of friendliness and confidence gives them their real charm. People rate their competence highly and have faith in them to get things done. A charismatic personality is typically described as attractive and persuasive, and those who possess it are likable and have a remarkable presence.
The charismatic individual maintains an approachable and open demeanor while being assured of themselves, present, and grounded. They are extremely sympathetic and are likely to be more interested in others than themselves. They possess all of these qualities and are more likely to succeed than others because of their capacity for persuasion. Additionally, they are likely to enjoy and live the life they want.
So keep in mind that you have the power to change your situation if you frequently feel ignored at work or unwelcome at parties. The ability to learn and master social skills is the source of charismatic personality traits.
Finally, here are our top five suggestions
- Practice mindfulness to develop self-awareness.
- Keep in mind that having both competence and kindness makes you more charismatic.
- Always interact with people in settings where you feel at ease.
- Observe others with interest and pay close attention.
- Share the praise and treat others as you would like to be treated.
Add comment