Fun & Famous

CHARISMA, DO YOU HAVE IT?

I was sitting in my car this week enjoying listening to Edwin, when the editor-in-chief of Quest called again with such a delightful study. I'm a sucker for scientific facts. This time on the program: charisma. Aiaiai, tricky, tricky. Because who decides that you have it, can you learn it or is it just fixed in your DNA?

Sometimes you see someone and they just walk in, you know. The chunk of power just entered the building, that kind of type. But how is it that one person really makes an entrance and another comes in rather ordinary? And... how on earth do I make an entrance? Because you don't just quickly walk to the bartender to check if your entrance was a bit nice. And even if you are best friends forever, such a question feels a bit clumsy when it comes to saying it out loud. Your only gauge is if someone tells you, but what if that person forgets to say it? Then you have charisma, but you are clueless your whole life. Ooh, how freaky. But there are factors, or a sort of checklist, by which you can measure if you ‘have it’.

1. Have self-confidence

Hmm, asking the bartender if you make a nice entrance is probably not in line with having self-confidence, right? But charisma comes with a good dose of self-confidence.

2. A bit dominant

If you have a hint of dominance in you, then that's one step closer to the presidency of the USA. Do you like to play the dominator (no no, not the dirty one)? Then you probably have charisma in you.

3. Be extroverted

You need to be a bit outward-facing. Do you prefer to stay inside with the curtains closed under a blanket? Nah, then being president is not really your thing. Be open to everyone, introduce yourself to those unknown cuties and make ‘extroverted’ your middle name.

4. Be enthusiastic

Tatarataaaaaaa, be that happy nut who finds everything fun. And if you don't? Then remember that you need to let that bubbling excitement or happiness inside you out (see point 3) and b. double it, just go for it, times two with that enthusiasm.

5. Show empathy

Empathizing, relating, the whole sha-bang of feeling in psychologist land. Whether you can learn this is the question, but otherwise, an acting course is also an option, right? I feel you in the deepest sense, that feeling. I cry at movies, would that count too?

6. Energetic case

Oh my, imagine that there needs to be twenty-four-seven energy oozing from your pores. That's exhausting, right? Maybe you should dose something like that throughout the day and then at home just be the least energetic version of yourself. But being energetic is a trait of the most charismatic leaders.

7. Body and physique

Men always say that height doesn't matter. Well, that's the biggest nonsense (we've known that for a long time). The taller the man, the more chance of a charismatic nature. For women, those centimeters don't matter at all (ha). And did you know that the voice is a good indicator of charisma? If you (very very) vary a lot in tone and intonation, you risk ending up as charismatic.

8. Say it with words

Are you a walking metaphor? Great, because charismatic leaders do that. What? Speaking in metaphors, examples, and values. And do it vividly and with a positive vision, yes, that too. If you do this while the world is a bit uncertain on its feet due to a crisis, then you are charisma itself and they believe everything (well, almost).

Okay, clear. Or well... a bit vague actually. Research at the editorial office shows that having power also works on the charisma meter. But it remains something elusive and I still have no idea if I have a bit of it figured out or not. I could of course ask Simone here. Oh no, self-confidence, Adeline. Don't do it.