Executive Charisma

I regard this title as the most valuable self-development download from Audible that I have read in the past year. I wish I had read this book years ago. This is head-and-shoulders above most other business books.

Deborah Benton promotes six practices to achieve and maintain executive charisma:
1. Be the first to initiate.
2. Expect and give acceptance to maintain esteem.
3. Ask questions and ask favors.
4. Stand tall, straight and smile.
5. Be human, humorous and hands-on.
6. Slow down, shut up, and listen.

Her explanations of this somewhat counter-intuitive guidance is engaging and makes good sense once it is described. Since I have been practicing these pointers, my popularity and influence at the office has soared.

I guess I had a sense of these qualities among the people I admired (and on good days, myself), but I thank Ms. Benton for codifying and explaining them.

The narrator, Anna Fields, has a superb voice: business-like and at the same time warm, and very listenable. She places the correct emphasis on words and phrases like a professional actress -- perhaps she is -- and gives a five-star performance.

Highest recommendation for those who wish to advance in their managerial careers.

I agree with the previous review - one of the best downloads on Audible. This book is full of practical advice on business life. Cooperation - not confrontation is the key. Narration is excellent - head and shoulders above many of the Author narrated titles.

Did you ever have to write a 5,000 word essay in highschool on a subject for which you had 100 words to say? The other 4,900 words are devoted to restating in ways that satisfy the requirement without adding any value. That's what this book is like. All you have to do is read the chapter titles and you've pretty much got it. Unless of course you want to wade through page after page of sage advice like "Don't touch others in the pelvic region", "practice being more deliberate by slowing down every time you see the color purple", "learn to be more humorous by listening to country music", "speak to your boss as if you are talking to a 5 year old", etc. There were many other such gems, but I don't want to waste another minute of my life searching through this audio book to find them.

This book is like a 4 hour sunday school lesson for young initiates to the Corporate Church. Ms. Benton spends 95% of the book preaching in a pedantic and amatuerish style and 5% sharing quotes from executives. It might have been a better book if the ratio were reversed. Even the quotes are odd. Many are unsourced and others seem to contradict a point she just finished making and otherwise add little value.

Frankly, I'm annoyed that others on this site rated this book so glowingly because I wasted my monthly credit based on their review. I'm taking time out of my very busy day in hopes of saving others from the same frustration. Don't waste your money and your time on this book.

Just wanted to say I really enjoyed this book. Many similarities to Dale Carnegie's principles. Definitely worth a read (or listen) just to remind us to be more human, more geniune, and more friendly.

Good advise on what differentiates those with that it factor to become an executive others want to follow. A complete spence of calm and self confidence in the face of adversity and a complete spence of caring as well as being seen as genuine or key aspects.

I must say that there is nothing new that most matured people do not know. But the book focuses on a few things and insists to practice them like breathing life long. I can only agree that if one practices these it could make a lot of difference in a period of time.