Marianne Williamson quoted “Charisma is a sparkle in people that money cannot buy. It is an invisible energy with visible effects.” Who does not want to be more charming and likeable with colleagues? I know I do. There is a rule of thumb known as the Duck Test and it goes something like this: If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it is probably a duck. Reasonings like these are formed on our ability to familiarize ourselves with something unknown by analyzing its habitual characteristics. Kind of like when people say “I will know it when I see it”. This idea can apparently work for ducks. But not so much for charisma.
Marianne Williamson’s quote sounds great as do other quotes on charisma. The only problem is that they throw more questions. What gives a person that sparkle in people that money cannot buy? We need to know the essential element that makes a person charismatic. Thankfully, scientific research can help. Let us discuss four things researchers have shown indicate charisma, together with ways in which we can put them to good use at the working environment to increase success.
Tap Into Shared Emotions
With not so much thanks to Covid, many of us are on a constant spree of one Zoom meeting after the other, and we have to escape the tendency to forget that there is another human at the end of the line. Research shows that messengers with a charisma are aware of this and are not afraid to use emotionally-laden language that signals their deep connection. We are in no way advocating outbursts of emotions on your team’s next online strategy meeting, but we believe it is wise to take steps to remind folks of the feeling of connectedness that exists in your team.
Use Metaphors.
Aristotle taught us that the skillful use of metaphor is the mark of a genius. But metaphors do not necessarily work because an audience sees a messenger as more brilliant—they work because they make messages more vivid. They appeal symbolic meanings and trigger emotional reactions in others without changing the meaning of what is being communicated.
Articulate a Collective Vision
Eva Perón was a flag-waver for the underdog. Churchill was bombastic and decisive. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated compassion and love. Despite their different goals and outlooks, each one of them shared a common characteristic crucial to their charismatic nature: the ability to appeal to the values and identity of the many, rather than the few.
These fine people gained their charismatic appeal by tapping into the identity of the group and creating a collective vision. So, whenever you have the chance to present your ideas, be sure to highlight the shared histories and identities that exist between you and your audience before presenting your vision for the future.
Demonstrate Surgency
Surgency is characterised by possession of an overly positive outlook and high energy. People with surgency are seen as optimistic, sociable and approachable. They express greater levels of energy, enthusiasm and positivity. Although this can be hard to convey on a Teams call, it is not impossible. A subtle change to your camera set-up might be all that is required. Tilt your screen so people can see your expressions and hand movements. Maybe even stand up to address people as if you were presenting and they were in the room.
Projecting energy is important to charisma. Studies find that TED talks frequently receive more views and likes not necessarily based on the subject matter, but rather on how many hand gestures the presenter makes.