Charisma Me

Charisma--a special charm or appeal that causes people to feel attracted and excited by someone (source).

Some say that charisma is divinely inspired.  It is mystical.  It is a power.  I, however, think it is something else.  It is a condition.  It is the opposite of Asperger Syndrome.  It occurs when one is acutely aware of social cues.  It begins at birth, I think, the ability to recognize how what you do affects the responses you receive.  It becomes an unconscious catalog.  "If I do this, they do that."  And the result, I think, is a subtle to profound form of hypnosis.  Just like Asperger, I think, there is a sliding scale.  You don't simply have it or no have it.  I know many, many people who do not pick up well on social cues.  I, on the other hand, am painfully aware.  But being aware won't make you charismatic.  There is something else.  You learn.  There is a certain rhythm in your voice that evokes a particular response.  It is the way you bend your body or a certain method of cutting your eyes.  And I think it is not necessarily conscious.  Tony Robbins (I think that was his name) must have been consciously aware.  He exploited the dumbest ideas in the world, but people worshiped him.  Who was the Moon character in Oregon so long ago?  Ghandi.  Hitler.  Etc. 

My theory will be born out one day, but I will not receive any credit.  But trust me on this one.  I have watched five year old girls who have already learned how to hold the attention of a table.  "Do this," they will say, and everybody does.  When you see it, you know it.  There is no doubting it.  

But again, I am acutely aware.  It is my curse.  

But as Q has pointed out, the article says, "Don't forget charisma."  It doesn't say you must have it, just not to forget it.  So. . . if you are seeking to be more interesting, just keep it in mind.  

I'll try to devise a Charisma Test for you all so that you will be able to see just how much of it you possess.  It might take some time, but it is percolating.  It will be fun.