Charismatic people are those who captivate the people around them , who with their mere presence become the center of attention, for example, in a social gathering.

These people possess extraordinary qualities and some may end up in film, television or politics. However, in our daily lives we have all come across these characters, whether it is a commercial that uses their charms to sell us something, a love that has marked us forever or a boss who has made us feel really useful, has taken our feelings into account and motivated us to perform better and feel part of the company.

However, not all bosses or leaders are charismatic, as the charismatic leader is the one called transformational.

  • You can learn about the different types of leadership in our article: “Types of Leadership: The 5 most common types of leaders”

Differences between being charismatic and being attractive

When we talk about charismatic people they are often confused with attractive individuals. However, are they really the same? How can we differentiate an attractive person from a charismatic one?

Well, a person can be attractive and even charming, but not necessarily charismatic. Charismatic people are not only sympathetic, but they have a natural magnetism that attracts people, because they inspire or influence others almost without thinking. They are people who motivate, who persuade and who seduce, but not on the physical plane (although in some cases also), but in terms of their personality and character.

Characteristics of charismatic persons

Some qualities are key to being more charismatic. But… what are they?

One can also learn to be a charismatic person, but it is necessary to possess a series of characteristics. They are the following.

1. Mental flexibility and open mind

Charismatic people are not people with a closed mind, who are full of prejudices, but quite the opposite . That is to say, they do not reject the ideas of others and are not afraid to have their own beliefs questioned. They are people who try to be objective and tolerant. They are attractive because the people around them feel comfortable with their presence, and they perceive that they take into account their needs, their emotions and their opinions.

At the business level, charismatic leaders are individuals who not only think about the organization, but are aware of the importance of human capital and that people have feelings and need to feel comfortable with what they do. If the workers are well, the organization will notice this positively.

2. Good communication and emotional expression

If there is a reason why these people stand out, it is because they are good at communicating . It is good to have an open mind and understand others, but it is also important to know how to communicate with them. In reality, the true charism lies in the fact of being more of an emitter of emotions than a receiver. Charismatic people express their emotions, feelings and opinions without any hindrance.

3. Credibility

An extremely important characteristic of charismatic leaders is that they communicate with credibility . These individuals not only transmit and express emotions clearly, but also do so in a convincing and sincere way through facial expression, voice, gestures and, in short, the whole body. Charismatic leaders inspire, convince and motivate others in this way because they trust them.

4. Social skills

Charismatic people are liked and inspired because they have good social skills. They are friendly, sociable, expressive, democratic and honest. As mentioned above, they are open-minded and, in addition, close, non-irritating and cooperative. They are individuals who care about others, and this helps them to connect with other individuals easily.

5. Persuasion

Persuasion is something these individuals excel at . Especially in charismatic leadership, persuasive skills become evident. The charismatic person knows how to use messages with arguments that support them, and in this way influence the attitude of other people. The charismatic individual does not force change, but employs the art of persuasion to do so.

6. Empathy

Another social skill that should be highlighted because it is key to understanding charismatic people is empathy . These individuals know how to put themselves in other people’s shoes and, therefore, they are good communicators and others feel comfortable by their side and it is easy to connect with them.

7. Emotional and relational intelligence

In addition, these people master a number of skills related to emotional and relational intelligence, as they know themselves perfectly, are able to regulate their emotions and connect with the emotions of others.

  • If you want to know what an emotionally intelligent person is like, you can read our article: “What are emotionally intelligent people like?”

8. High self-confidence

It is impossible to hook others if you do not believe in yourself . Self-confidence is a quality that allows people to overcome the obstacles that arise in everyday life. People with high self-confidence are empowered by life and are able to influence others because they show a strong personality. They are not afraid to show themselves as they are.

9. Posture

Charismatic people are spontaneous and genuine, so they influence the feelings and emotions of others . According to Ronald E. Riggio, a psychologist at Claremont McKenna College, “this happens through what he calls emotional contagion”. Emotional contagion involves posture, expressions, and vocalizations. The head high and straight, with the shoulders relaxed, parallel and at the same height is one of the characteristic postures of these individuals. When they talk to others, they slightly raise their chin without being exaggerated.

10. Respect

Respect for others is one of the best qualities a human being can have . Charismatic people are respectful of others and are diplomatic when they disagree with someone else’s idea. They understand that in the world we live as people with different ways of thinking and acting. Everyone has the right to be respected.

11. Assertiveness

And because they accept the opinions of others and are respectful, they are also assertive . That is why they express their opinion correctly and defend their point of view, while also respecting the rights of others. Even in difficult moments they show this characteristic, so you can talk to them calmly, without getting into conflicts.

12. They are humble

If you ever come across, for example, a charismatic leader, you will realize that he is not the typical superior who thinks he is the king of the world and treats others as if they are inferior. On the contrary, they are humble and modest people, and that’s why they gain people’s trust quickly.