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 )

Very insightful book

I learned a lot about myself and the ways I interact with others. I'm a very introverted person, and I'd always believed that charisma was something extroverts naturally acquired. However, after employing some of the techniques suggested in this book I noticed that peoples reactions to me changed and my conversations because more engrossing. This book is definitely worth a read.

Encouraging & applicable.Aimed toward business men

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Depends on the friend. If they wanted to be more "likeable" at work or in life, I would. I didn't feel like it was all about charisma but more of a step-by-step process is bettering yourself, growing your presence, and being more likeable (which in the end is being charismatic). If you know yourself (your strengths and weaknesses) well, then the rules and practices in this book will definitely benefit you, because you will know where to focus the work. It's defnitely a book I will come back to for future situations and refreshers on her advice. I wish I had a hard copy but thankfully, she has some great PDFs on her website that serve as good refreshers.

What did you like best about this story?

Olivia Fox offers great, applicable ways to become more "charismatic" .I like the way she laid out the book. She gives a formula. Start with yourself and these tips, then move onto these more advanced tips. Some of the advice (esp in the beginning) is pretty standard but she does offer some good yet simple suggestions that I had never thought of or implemented before.

Any additional comments?

The narrator (and I'm assuming Fox herself) has a way of giving instructions without sounding condescending. She also recognizes some "practices" may be awkward at first but to work through it. That made her advice resonate with me more, because she realizes "self-help" or other strategies to improve your life can be cheesy and uncomfortable. But she assures and explains what this practice will do, how it can be used, and examples of it being used.

Dynamite!

This is a dynamite book - and I can't even remember how I stumbled upon it. It really should be renamed - because it's not truly about a single kind of charisma, and in fact the book would be better served not even to use the word given old-school prejudices. The book is really about creating appropriate "presence" with others to better develop unique and mutually satisfying relationships across personal and business lines. This is a fantastic resource, and I hope to use tips from the book to better prepare medical students for the "real life relational" aspects of going out into their rotations and dealing with others.

Beautiful, Eloquent and Informative

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This author is an authority on the matter and has affiliations with Harvard.

What did you like best about this story?

Down to earth explanations and how to apply them.

Which character – as performed by Lisa Cordileione – was your favorite?

I like the stories about Aristocracy.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Charisma

Any additional comments?

no

Eye Opening

Would you listen to The Charisma Myth again? Why?

Already have. The narrator had a good voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not an extreme reaction, but I worked some of these theories into my everyday life.

Best book yet.

Awesome advice ! Life hacks, view things from a different way. Can start making changes as soon as she explains. Easy listen.

Instant Return on Investment

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Before I listened to this audiobook I was not sure how to come off with Charisma without being overpowering, arrogant, or forceful. Immediately after finishing this book I had my first interview in 2 years. When receiving feedback about my interview skills the first thing the hiring manager said was "You were extremely Charismatic"
It was gratifying to know that the values taught in this book were instantly rewarding when the advice was followed.

Fantastic material, delivered in monotone.

Charisma Myth is overflowing with the science and practice behind human interactions, non-verbal communication, and how others see us. Amazing material, and instantly applicable. The narration was difficult to listen to, and very monotone. Her voice is very pleasant, and she tells the story well, and the material was well worth the effort to keep listening.

An Haha! Book

This is a book that has actionable items that I have decided not only to read but study it for years to come.

Excellent

The best coverage I have ever read on managing your internal state. In my top five best personal development books.