How To Become A Charismatic Leader And Win People Over?
Written by: Gayle Terzis, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a charismatic leader that wins people over with little to no effort? Did you ever wonder what the secrets that made people charismatic are? If you have ever found yourself thinking about how to become charismatic as well, then you have come to the right place!
I am going to share with you 5 tips and tricks on how to instantly become more charismatic and boost your business, so let’s dive in!
But first things first, what is charisma?
Charisma is the ability to attract other people and influence them.
Charismatic people have a set of magnetic skills that differentiate them from others such as good verbal and non-verbal communication skills, which makes them great leaders.
But most importantly, charismatic people are likable, which in turn, helps them have influence and affability.
Is charisma innate or can it be developed?
For a long time, we as a society have thought that charisma is something leaders are either born with or not.
But what if I tell you that this is not true?
What if I tell you that with practice, effort, and knowing the right tips and tricks, anyone can become charismatic?
Let me start by sharing with you 3 secrets that charismatic people don't want you to know:
Charisma is not a magical and magnetic energy that some people are just born with! On the contrary, charisma is a set of behaviors and skills that anyone can learn, master, and put into practice.
Being charismatic is directly related to your body language. It is a set of non-verbal behaviors that are expressed through body language, and the more you are aware and in control of it, the more charismatic you will appear to be.
Charisma levels are not constant and can greatly fluctuate depending on several factors such as our current mood, our body language, our level of fatigue, etc.
In other words, non-charismatic people can appear charismatic simply by adjusting their body language.
By working time and time again on the instinctive behaviors that will allow you to exude charisma, this attribute will become an integral part of you and your reality.
Here are the 5 tips on how to become a more charismatic leader:
1. Be aware of the Placebo Effect:
Charisma begins in your mind. Your brain cannot differentiate between imagination and reality, therefore a good place to start would be to imagine yourself in a charismatic state of mind and start smiling more often. People are attracted to others who smile while exuding a sense of confidence. Smiling will allow your body language to follow suit which will, in turn, translate into charisma.
2. Be entirely present:
When you are in the presence of others, be entirely focused on the other person. Look them in the eye, listen intently to what they have to say, and ask them relevant questions. This will generate trust, rapport, and loyalty which will make people will feel special around you. And more often than not, people will not be able to get enough of your presence because of how good it makes them feel!
3. Exude power and warmth:
These two attributes are a necessary combination of charisma that will help you win people over. Others are always on the lookout to associate with people who have the power to help them and are warm enough to do so. If not embodied well, these two attributes can be tricky; it takes a special talent to appear both powerful and warm, but with practice, you can do it.
4. First impressions are key:
When you are in the presence of others, it is important not to underestimate the power of first impressions. Turn your focus on the other person in front of you and find something to compliment them about. You can also make them feel special with open-ended questions. Or you can stick to positive subjects and use light physical contact like a small touch on the arm. Also, it is never a good idea to underestimate the power of a good handshake and the long-lasting impression it can create! Whatever you chose to do, do it genuinely because a lot of people can spot fake interactions miles away. Most of them can differentiate between who is genuinely interested in them and who is doing it for personal gain.
5. Make sure you don't have any physical discomfort:
Because it will instantly show in your body language, in the cases where you can't prevent or remedy discomfort for whatever reason, it is important to explain to the other person why your behavior might seem off. This will help diffuse any misunderstanding or confusion your discomfort might bring to the interaction.
Charisma is a desired skill amongst leaders and business owners because it is directly related to their likeability level, and more often than not their sales revenues.
With the right tools, practice, and most importantly will, anyone can become charismatic and win people over, even the shyest of people, just like my client Sylvie!
Sylvie is a small-business owner who needed to get out of her comfort zone and develop her charisma skills if she wanted any chance at succeeding! She is the owner of a little boutique that specializes in selling women’s clothes and accessories. She came to me last year because she needed my help to become more charismatic and increase her sales. After more than six months of working together, Sylvie has finally become the charismatic salesperson and business owner she has always dreamed of being.
Gayle Terzis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Gayle Terzis is an Executive & Career Coach and the Founder of Boost Up.
With a background in banking, Gayle spent over ten years in the corporate world working on diverse missions, including the development of the first program dedicated to the financial empowerment of women in the Middle East. However, she started feeling that her job was lacking meaning and purpose, and she was automatically less happy at work. She found coaching to be her calling. She quit her job and got certified by the ICF Executive & Leadership Coaching program.
Today, Gayle helps ambitious career-focused people connect with their better selves in order to reach their full potential and achieve meaningful goals faster; while having a balanced, healthy, happy, and productive life.
