When I say charisma, what comes to mind?
A lot of people think it’s about hitting every cue, nailing the delivery, or being the loudest voice in the room—like charisma is some dazzling performance that only a few naturally gifted people can pull off.
I think that’s where so much fear around public speaking comes from: the belief that we have to wow our audience.
Let’s be real—most of us don’t walk into a room and instantly light it on fire.
But we can build our capacity for charisma.
So what is charisma, and why does it matter?
Charisma is the compelling mix of confidence, warmth, presence, and communication skill that makes someone magnetic, trustworthy, and inspiring.
You feel it when it’s there. Someone speaks, and suddenly you feel seen, energized, and drawn in.
I’ve worked with so many leaders who work hard to be charismatic. They chase perfect delivery — but end up sounding scripted, rigid, and just a little bit… off.
I’ve been there, believe me.
But here’s the truth: charisma doesn’t come from perfection.
It comes from authenticity.
Authenticity is at the heart of true charisma.
Yes, charisma can look polished or magnetic—even a little theatrical. But the kind that actually moves people and builds trust? That’s the kind rooted in realness.
Authenticity is what transforms charisma from manipulation into connection.
Here’s how it shows up:
- It builds trust. People can tell when someone’s putting on a show. But when you speak from your values and your lived experience, others feel safe to lean in.
- It creates connection. When you show up as yourself, you give others permission to do the same. It humanizes you.
- It makes your presence sustainable. When you’re performing, it’s exhausting. When you’re grounded in who you are, you can focus on being present.
- It amplifies confidence. When you stand comfortably in your truth, it signals to others that they can trust you too.
THE BIG PRINT: i.e. If you take one thing away from this post it’s that…
Charisma is the ineffable ingredient that connects you to your audience through authentic presence.
It’s what separates a good speaker from a great one.
It’s the spark that makes someone feel like a leader.
It’s the moment a potential client goes from maybe to yes.
Can you have too much charisma?
According to the Harvard Business Review’s book on Leadership Presence—and my friend and fellow communications coach Will Bremridge—yes, you can.
Will came in as a guest speaker in my monthly Public Speaking DOJO recently to talk about charisma. Here’s a short clip from our conversation.
TAKE IT FROM… American poet Maya Angelou who famously said…
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Angelou wasn’t specifically talking about charisma, but she captured its essence perfectly: it’s about how you make people feel. That’s the heart of this public speaking superpower.
What about you?
How would you rank yourself on charisma—too much? Not enough? And how has that shaped your ability to influence or inspire?
Drop a comment below and let’s start the conversation.
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