Charisma, made easy
Charismatic quality is hard to define. People tend to believe you are either born with it or not, but this is simply not the case. You can learn to be charismatic.
Charisma has an illusive and fascinating quality, but it's defined by the fact it requires an audience.
Without the other participants in the conversation, charisma is non-existent. When an audience is listening and watching us, we will be judged subconsciously within seconds of being introduced, so being considered as charismatic gives you an advantage over the opposition.
Charisma comes predominantly from a controlled expression of emotion in a public arena, so when we find speakers charismatic it is usually because they feel strongly about their expert material.
We respond to this on a subconscious level, because mirror neurons in our heads mirror the emotions we see other people expressing, which in turn drive the perceptions of charisma and the authenticity we are placing our trust in.
The packaging of charismatic personalities, as well as the words they speak, can also hugely affect the degree to which we trust and respect them.
Charisma is very much about how you appear to your audience and that involves how you dress. In my personal experience private clients have far exceeded their business expectations, through taking note of their appearance and then making a few detailed but easy changes.
For example, I was asked to work with the MD of a small software solutions business. He worked in the back office with the other technicians and was a self-confessed IT 'nerd'. He had an opportunity to win a £30,000 contract but was concerned the buyers would reject him as a credible leader with the ability to satisfy their requirements.
His working wardrobe consisted of a single change of tired chinos, two tee-shirts and a pair of trainers, enhanced by two-day's growth of stubble. He didn't want to be formally suited and booted, but he realised he needed to look more 'business ready'. He decided that he wanted to adopt a smart-casual look to be more appropriate to his market and his own comfort zone.
This style was achieved without going down the formal route and not only did he just win the original contract but it was increased tenfold.
There is no doubt that customer-facing teams of well-dressed, charismatic and genuine people, who can truly differentiate themselves from their competition, will achieve more business at a more economical cost through improved trust and, consequently, shorter sales cycles.
Finally, take this opportunity to ask a few trusted friends, mentors and business associates about your charisma and if you have any doubts in your own mind as to the efficacy of your presentation in helping you achieve your or your teams' vision, then make it this year's goal to work with a professional image or personal brand consultant to help you develop a new, elegant and business-ready image to suit your purpose.