Charisma – a gift or a skill?

We all know that being charismatic can open doors and supercharge your career. In his book The Three Levels of Leadership, James Scouller explains that charismatic people have that je ne sais quoi, an extra spark that lights up any room.

Charisma is tied to the energy you project. It’s like a magnetic field, turning heads and drawing people closer. In business, it’s seen less as a mysterious gift and more as a skill, one that can be honed to dramatically boost your influence.

Spotting charisma

Think back to a conference you attended. A meeting you sat through. Or that one person who captivated everyone with their presence, words, body language, smile… What made the biggest impact? What drew you in?

Here’s the catch: society is obsessed with appearances, but charisma isn’t about beauty. And it’s definitely not something you’re just born with. A pretty face alone won’t win hearts or influence anyone.

So what is charisma? It’s a skill, one that can be learned and refined.

Building charisma

Let’s see how we can get there:

• Be aware of the impact you have and the energy you bring.
• Build genuine relationships through empathy.
• Get clear on your personal and professional goals.
• Believe in your ability to spark action.
• Communicate with joy so you can inspire and influence others.
• Own your ideas and actions without fear of judgement or disagreement.

Hard work won’t turn you into Barack Obama overnight.

But here’s the good news: we can all shine with charisma in our own way. Physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

Charisma doesn’t look the same on everyone. It reflects your unique personality. The key is to learn how to communicate authentically and powerfully, while playing to your strengths. That’s when you truly begin to captivate others.

Charisma isn’t a template. It’s uniquely you. Learning how to nail authentic communication and own your strengths, and you’ll be able to truly captivate.