Some people instantly make us feel important. Some people instantly make us feel special. Some people light up a room just by walking in.
We can't always define it, but some people have "it" — they're naturally charismatic.
Unfortunately, natural charisma quickly loses its impact. Familiarity breeds, well, familiarity.
Fortunately we can all be more charismatic, because charisma isn't about our level of success, or our presentation skills, or how we dress, or the image we project — charisma is about what we do.
Here are ways you can be more charismatic:
1. Listen way more than you talk.
Ask questions. Maintain eye contact. Smile. Frown. Nod. Respond — not so much verbally, but nonverbally.
That's all it takes to show the other person they're important.
Then when you do speak, don't offer advice unless you're asked. Listening shows you care a lot more than offering advice, because when you offer advice in most cases you make the conversation about you, not them.
Don't believe me? Who is, "Here's what I would do …" about: you, or the other person?
2. Don't practice selective hearing.
Some people — I guarantee you know a few like this — are incapable of hearing anything said by the people they feel are somehow beneath them.
Sure, you speak to them, but that particular falling tree doesn't make a sound in the forest, because there's no one actually listening.
Because we do.
3. Always put your stuff away.
Don't check your phone. Don't glance at your monitor. Don't focus on anything else, even for a moment.
You can never connect with others if you're busy connecting with your stuff, too.
4. Always give before you receive — knowing you may never receive.
Focus, even in part and even for a moment, on what you can get out of the other person, and you show that the only person who really matters is you.
5. Don't act self-important …
The only people who are impressed by your stuffy, pretentious, self-important persona are other stuffy, pretentious, self-important people.
The rest of us aren't impressed. We're irritated, put off, and uncomfortable.
And we aren't too thrilled when you walk in the room.
6. … Since you know other people are more important.
You already know what you know. You know your opinions. You know your perspective and point of view.
That stuff isn't important, because it's already yours. You can't learn anything from yourself.
But you don't know what other people know, and everyone, no matter who they are, knows things you don't know.
That automatically makes them a lot more important than us because they're people we can learn from.
7. Shine the spotlight on others.
No one receives enough praise. No one. Tell people what they did well.
Wait, you say you don't know what they did well?
Shame on you — it's your job to know. It's your job to find out ahead of time.
And they will feel a little more accomplished — and a lot more important.
8. Choose your attitude — and your words.
The words you use affect the attitude of others — and they affect you.
For example, you don't have to go to a meeting; you get to go meet with other people. You don't have to create a presentation for a new client; you get to share cool stuff with other people. You don't have to go to the gym; you get to work out and improve your health and fitness.
You don't have to interview job candidates; you get to select a great person to join your team.
9. Don't discuss the failings of others …
Granted, we all like hearing a little gossip. We all like hearing a little dirt.
The problem is, we don't necessarily like — and we definitely don't respect — the people who dish that dirt.
Don't laugh at other people. When you do, the people around you wonder if you sometimes laugh at them.
10. … But readily admit your own failings.
Incredibly successful people are often assumed to have charisma simply because they are successful — their success can seem to create a halo effect, almost like a glow.
The key word is "seem."
You don't have to be incredibly successful to be extremely charismatic. Scratch the shiny surface, and many successful people have the charisma of a rock.
But you do have to be incredibly genuine to be extremely charismatic.
And definitely laugh at yourself. When you do, other people won't laugh at you. They'll laugh with you.
And they'll like you better for it … and want to be around you a lot more.
