The Charisma Myth

How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism

By: Olivia Fox Cabane

Narrated by: Lisa Cordileione

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

What if charisma could be taught? For the first time, science and technology have taken charisma apart, figured it out and turned it into an applied science: In controlled laboratory experiments, researchers could raise or lower people's level of charisma as if they were turning a dial. What you'll find here is practical magic: unique knowledge, drawn from a variety of sciences, revealing what charisma really is and how it works. You'll get both the insights and the techniques you need to apply this knowledge. The world will become your lab, and every person you meet, a chance to experiment.

The Charisma Myth is a mix of fun stories, sound science, and practical tools. Cabane takes a hard scientific approach to a heretofore mystical topic, covering what charisma actually is, how it is learned, what its side effects are, and how to handle them.

Please note: The accompanying workbook for this title is available at AskOlivia.com/book/exercises/.

©2012 Olivia Fox Cabane (P)2012 Gildan Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"Fox Cabane's distinct writing style...makes listening to each chapter both informational and fun. Each exercise is practical and easy...If you are interested in increasing your ability to be charismatic in your unique setting or employment, this audiobook will give you direct skills to use" ( PsychologyToday.com )

Read the book and avoid this narration!

The content of this book seems very thorough with details that are helpful to the reader. However, for me, the narration is so unnatural that it is like listening to one, giant, run-on sentence. Her voice fluctuations are so odd and robotic that it is distracting for me as the listener. I am about one third into the book and have decided to purchase the book and read it on my own time. Guess this isn't a very charismatic review.

Positive suggestions for charisma.

It was good but at times I struggled to finish it. The storytelling was at times, dull.

Robotic Reader

Content is good. However be warned that the reader is robotic and that makes it hard to listen to at many points along the way. I struggled to finish the book due to this.

Absolutely phenomenal. I recommend this book to everyone.

The Charisma Myth was a truly eye opening experience which helped me tap into my inner authenticity, positivity, compassion, and appreciation.
This book can supply anyone with the keys to overcoming shyness, awkwardness, and hesitancy and replace those with presence, power, and warmth in order to share your visions with anyone.
If everyone utilized the skills of this book there would be more great leaders and more great ideas shared in the world.

So far so good

I think this genre of books are pretty hit or miss for me and often seem to be about basically power over others and that turns me off because I don’t want others to have power over me so therefore I don’t want to dominate and deceive others either. This book isn’t like that. It seems genuinely positive and if other people learn it, it’s a positive thing. I don’t want to participate in messages about how to make others feel small and worthless so I can take advantage of them. I think the world would be better off without that kind of behavior. Instead, we should all hope to be more present, kind, and capable as this book suggests. I know that in nature people perceive physical power as a big factor and for those without exceptional size and strength, or who may even be born smaller genetically, it can seem like a big and unfair barrier to getting the respect we want. But they suggest here that it’s more about social factors like seeming like one I has social status or is capable than physically intimidating. It’s difficult to draw that line between physical posturing for the sake of making positive connections with others vs simulating social violence. But hopefully I’ll get to the part where she clarifies… and if she doesn’t well it’s ok I still got something out of this book.

More than what I expected!

If you could sum up The Charisma Myth in three words, what would they be?

Life Changing!

What did you like best about this story?

I like the different ways to increase your charisma.

What about Lisa Cordileione’s performance did you like?

Nice voice- easy listening

Any additional comments?

People have noticed positive change in me.

Great way to increase your charisma!

Would you listen to The Charisma Myth again? Why?

Absolutely. The book begs to be listened to multiple times to let all of its truth sink in.

Love this book

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their people skills, and understanding a bit more about human nature and interaction.
Loved the book and will listen to it again, great buy.

A bunch of tips, some useful

I started this book and set it aside for six months. Why? I thought it was going to be a set of exercises I would have to find time to work through. I generally listen to audiobooks at double speed while doing other tasks, so that was slow going. Turns out there were very few exercises - you can just whip through this book like any other.

The point of the book is that you can improve your charisma. There's a lot of information in here, although I don't think all of it is particularly useful. Some of it seems trite. Some I'm not convinced is actually accurate or useful. But there are some gems. For example, when you answer the phone, don't immediately sound warm and cheery. Sound calm and professional. Then when you find out who it is, warm up and smile through the phone at them. Show them that they're special.

This book certainly isn't going to give anyone massive charisma overnight. But it's worth a listen. You may pick up a couple useful tips.

Fine content, but poor audio performance

A few thoughtful moves could have made this a much better audiobook, but as is, I find it difficult.