Charismatic Communication

Charisma is often defined as having the confidence to be fully yourself - your most engaging, most charming, most energetic, attractive, vibrant and alive self.

The idea of Charisma Training came to me, the direct result of a two-day workshop I did with the Marketing Director of a major corporation and his team. While discussing the topic of charismatic communication, and how it applies to personal development and public speaking, the director made an interesting comment. He said, "Who I am at work is very different from the person I am at home."

I commented that it must be very difficult dealing with that split personality everyday and asked, "Could it be that you are robbing your team of a whole different side of you? What affect does that have on you leadership skills? Your spontaneous creativity and freedom of thought get beaten down with that kind of thinking."

Many of us are uncomfortable with using the word charisma in relation to ourselves, reluctant to claim what is special and unique about us, which is ironic, since that is precisely its definition. I understand why people feel this way, but consider how much you are leaving on the table. It's hard to maintain the energy required to perform at your highest level when you shut essential parts of yourself down. When we stand firm and communicate from a deeper level than just the surface of our personality, we are giving our unique and charming self the chance to be seen.

This young leader decided to take on the challenge of developing his charisma. While the work was, at times, risky and uncomfortable, he emerged with a whole new way of being. He was still the same person, but now he carried a new kind of energy and sense of self.

People who communicate charismatically have the ability to inspire and connect with anyone. The following quote embodies this quality and lies at the very foundation of why I believe in charisma as a vital tool in communication.

"There's a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost-the world will not have it." - Martha Graham

Every client and every student I have taught has been required to recite this quote. Their assignment is always to embody - or express - the meaning of these words. When they say the word vitality, for instance, I want to hear them say it with energy, spirit and passion. It is through this process that they learn a new way of expressing themselves, another way of tapping into the source of their exciting, passionate and engaging self.

Who do you know who freely and effectively expresses their charismatic self? If you can't count yourself in that list, I encourage you to begin saying the word with as much personality and warmth as you can muster - in front of your mirror. See if you sound and look like the warm, receptive, charming and charismatic type that others cannot resist and desire to be around. Charismatic Communication causes people to want to listen to, and really hear from, the one who is speaking.

Laurie Burton wants you to master the art of communicating. In fact, she wants you to master the art of YOU - so she wrote the book on it! Grab your FREE chapter of Presenting You at http://www.laurieburtontraining.com and see for yourself why regardless of skill-level, business experience or leadership involvement, Laurie's techniques quickly and consistently generate dramatic results with immediate impact and effectiveness.

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