How To Be Charismatic: Introduction

Charisma. You know it when you see it, but what is charisma and how can you become more charismatic?

The word ‘charisma’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘gift’, or ‘divine favor’. It’s that undefinable quality of being an attraction magnet; you just want to look at, listen and feel (ahem) people who are charismatic.

I’ve always been fascinated by just what makes people charismatic and how to become more charismatic myself.

Keys to Charisma

It seems that there are two keys you need to master to become even more charismatic: you must have solid inner game; where you know what you’re about and you’re strong inside (points 1 and 3). You must have solid outer game; where you know how to direct your language, tonality and body language (remembering that words are only 7% of your communication) to influence others (point 2).

In this series, I’m going to explore different people and different facets of charisma as I attempt to answer the question: just what is it that makes charismatic people charismatic?

11 Responses to “How To Be Charismatic: Bruce Lee”

  1. taymastery
    February 23 2007 at 4:25 pm #

    LOL. I was hoping you’d cite Adam Khoo as an example… ;-P

    (hehe… I am trying my best not to mention Hitler… but I guess he’s one hell of a charismatic rhetorician)

  2. Pamela
    February 23 2007 at 10:39 pm #

    I think a lot politicians are charismatic. Presidents are a good example. Not all of them of coarse. Think about it, they did an impact on people.

  3. taymastery
    February 23 2007 at 11:11 pm #

    I beg to differ ;-P

    Alot of politicians are NOT charismatic

    (sidenote: Richard Bandler will say they are too ‘educated’ to be ‘charismatic’ LOL)

    Ultimately, I guess it’s how we choose to interpret the word ‘charismatic’

  4. felicia kong
    February 24 2007 at 6:43 pm #

    Alvin, I reckon this MUST be truly one of the BEST
    enlightening clips I had ever watched! & the patience to watch it thru 25mins u say non stop!
    I wasn’t prepared to learn so much abt life lessons from martial arts, or was I subconsciously? (since I chose to
    watch it!)
    Very nice!!! I marvelled at the way he gestures, smiles & speaks with so much confidence and charm and certainty! (3C’s??)
    I honestly wasn’t a FAN of his until NOW!!

    Gez wat? I even googled him and found this site (www.fightingmaster.com) containing the scripts of his
    video (mostly!!) Really COOL stuff! ~o*
    I was totally blown away by his PHILOSOPHY & Teachings
    so deeply profound & true!
    Aligned beautifully to what we learn and practise in Yoga philosophy (or any martial or body arts)!

    Like what Bruce said,

    “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

    “Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.”

    It’s true that there are always different styles and techniques out there, to cling to one is to be doomed and perished.
    “To have no style, means to be any style altogether!”

    Keep things simple.
    Hmmm… these principles also apply to NLP, to our life in general or in any specific area when dealing with issues, right?

    Felicia

    P.S. Thanks Alvin! Great post ya! ^o*

  5. Ikhwan Sopa
    February 25 2007 at 3:32 am #

    Charismatic people were not charismatic at their childhood age. Was Bruce Lee charismatic at 9 years old? Nop. Charisma is indeed something that everybody can learn and achieved. I’m still charismatizing me too! Infact, I’m coaching people how to be charismatic. And it works I think. Everybody has the seed in their soul. And yes, words can only be the 7%. The rest: You.

  6. Pablo J. zamora
    March 19 2007 at 3:29 am #

    On Charisma: Bruce Lee – Awesome information. Bruce Lee was a very charismatic individual. What brough on this attitude was his passion and belief in how he lived his life. The video really portrayed how Bruce Lee thought, but I don’t think his interviewer really believed or understood what Bruce Lee was saying.

  7. Dain
    April 18 2007 at 1:41 pm #

    That Pierre guy’s such a ignorant person. I hate how he cuts Bruce off when Bruce’s about to give important messages (like at the end) >:(

  8. Igor
    April 18 2008 at 4:35 pm #

    Bruce Lee the BEST FOREVER!!!

  9. Igor
    April 18 2008 at 4:43 pm #

    Bruce Lee the BEST FOREVER!!! Help me please to connect with LINDA LEE CADWELL and her dothear SHENNON. It is my GREAT DREAM to meet her. I will do it at any price. Igor.

  10. Holly Martin
    July 4 2010 at 3:35 am #

    I practive both Tai-Chi and meditation on my spare time. It is really good for general health.,-.

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  1. Link Karma - 1 March 2007 at Personal Development with The Positivity Blog - March 1 2007

    [...] How to be charismatic: Bruce Lee – Alvin Soon at Life Coaches Blog posted this very interesting video and analysis of what made Bruce Lee so charismatic. [...]