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.

Want to know what makes charismatic people tick?

If you want to know what makes charismatic people tick, then I guarantee you find this book interesting and informative. The Charisma Myth is a thought-provoking, well-researched book on what charisma is, broken down into its key components.

As I listened to this book, I found myself creating bookmarks and rewinding sections to listen to them again. I have always been interested in charisma and, before reading this book, I was sure that those who had it just came with it. However, I quickly learned that this idea was false when the author began introducing simple things you can do to instantly raise your own charisma. When I finished listening to the audio, I wanted to immediately pick up the hard-copy so I could highlight sections and use it for later reference.

While it should be noted that this book is not introducing anything brand new, it is not a book which is just reiterating points from a few other recently written books at all. This is the first book on Charisma I have read which successfully brings together countless concepts from other books and scientific articles; everything from Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” to articles in the Leadership Quarterly on “Charisma, Positive Emotions and Mood Contagion.”

Great idea, somewhat lacking in the delivery

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

Very interesting concept!

What other book might you compare The Charisma Myth to and why?

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs... There were many parallels; however, the progression of charisma is clearly visible when applied to Steve Jobs.

What three words best describe Lisa Cordileione’s voice?

Not very charismatic

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I felt like the beginning was a little too graphic for my taste... A less harrowing example would've been preferred.

Any additional comments?

There was nothing wrong with Lisa's voice it was rather how mellow her voice was that contrasted with the charismatic subject of the book, I'm sure she does great on other subjects!

Thoughtful book about being at your best

The book is about interacting warmly with others, but includes other self-help topics about controlling yourseful in difficult situations. I don't plan to follow the author's step by step plan, but the book really made me think about several things I can change about myself. I plan to reread it more thoroughly and do some of the exercises.

The only negative I have is that it is a little padded with information and exercises that are found in most self-help books, but there is enough on-topic to think about to make this a recommended listen.

Literally a Childhood Experience

Growing up in the household of a Baptist minister I had witnessed many newly ordained ministers begin their trial sermons stumbling, loosing track of their thoughts, and standing in only one spot through out their entire delivery, become this fireball energetic orator that walked down the aisles looking people in the eye, touching some on the shoulders as he passed by while instinctively exciting others to jump out of their seats and yell hallelujah; all within less than a years time. So yes, these skills can definitely be taught and mastered. The ministers I grew up around were also taught to move between the three phases of charisma mentioned in the book depending on the given situation they were faced with: from friendly charisma when greeting new people, to authoritative when heading a church auxiliary meeting, to sympathetic while conducting a counseling session. They for the most part were taught through the guidance and tutorship of the more experienced senior pastors. Not only them, but members of the congregation such as myself have had the privilege of learning these valuable skills just by watching them.

Because of this I for one have never had a problem with public speaking, even going so far as to comfortably ad lib my words when spontaneously called to the front of a room or group. So yes, the methods in this book can definitely be taught to most anyone.

Prior to this book I listened to another audiobook that spoke on another type of personal characteristic titled: "The Introvert Advantage," by Marti Olsen Laney, which shed a positive light on the characteristics and traits of socially Introverted people. Coupled together with this book even the inwardly projected introvert could learn to work the room or audience with ease.

Great read, and author gives great examples

Great book, everything its easy to understand and describes accurately the types of charisma and how to incorporate it into your daily life