Lessons from the book "The Charisma Myth"

The Charisma Myth: Master of the Art of Personal Magnetism

by Olivia Fox Cabane

   The Charisma Myth is an excellent book on charisma by providing valuable lessons and insights into the subject. It helps to understand charisma behavior and how to improve this skill to apply in a work, home, and other interaction with people. The author provides analysis and practical tips that anyone can learn and apply them.

   I highly recommend reading this book and here are my short lessons from the book. 

• Charisma is an interpersonal behavior that boosts better communication, relationship, and trust among people.
  
• Charisma is a learnable skill. Of course, everyone can't be charismatic once finishing the book, but we can have an ability to be closer to it or have an idea of how to get an advantage if we apply rules mentioned in this book. It requires time and practice to acquire charisma skills. Charismatic people have successfully built their ability by their long-term practice and experience.
• Charisma posture includes lowering the voice at end of sentence, reducing the nod, and pausing before to speak.
• Charisma components are Power, Presence, and Warmth. Apply them according to your personality and the audience you address. 
• Presence is the first pillar in charisma. Be present where you are, talk with full presence, listen carefully, pay attention when you listen. 
• Warmth is about caring the others, have goodwill toward the people. Show mercy and respect to people you are interacting with. Have a positive attitude about them. 
• Power encourages the charisma. Having a power like influencing the others and controlling certain things can help your charisma behavior. However, if you don't have warmth and mercy to others, it doesn't last long. Polish your power with your mercy.
• Mental rehearsal or visualization is important before acting in a serious meeting, speech, etc. Think about your talk, facial mimic, voice, and your action on stage, visualize them, and build confidence before your action. 

   The book is well written and I enjoyed reading it. There are short takeaways of each chapter and practical guides to improve the charisma skill.