Here is a review of The Charisma Myth, a book written by Olivia Fox Cabane. The Charisma Myth is a fantastic book for those who are just starting to learn about developing their charisma. Olivia Fox Cabane breaks down complicated psychological principles into easy-to-digest tips and techniques to exude your inner charisma. Some chapters are padded out with typical self-help philosophies that you most likely have heard before; however, it is a solid handbook for someone who is looking to develop their charisma in the professional world.
If you are looking to develop your charisma to become more memorable, get more opportunities, and increase your communication skills, then you could benefit from charisma coaching. Reading books, listening to podcasts, or watching YouTube videos can all help your development; however, charisma coaching can give you practical experience through role-playing, activities, and games. Book your free discovery call to see how charisma coaching can help you:
The Charisma Myth Review
⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 5 Stars)
First Thoughts
I will be honest with you, when I first started reading The Charisma Myth I was not impressed. It took me weeks to slog through the first few chapters because at some points I felt like it was the same old ‘self-help’ advice that I had heard a million times before. There were chapters dedicated to more abstract, ‘touchy-feely’ concepts around mindset, your feelings, and believing in yourself. Perhaps these areas are important to address; however, if you picked up this book about charisma, then chances are you have already read similar books in the self-improvement genre that have tackled the same topics. I was almost at the point where my eyes couldn’t roll anymore until we got into the practical tips that Olivia Fox Cabane is excellent at explaining. Once I had got over the hill of the typical ‘self-help guru’ advice, I honestly couldn’t stop. I would recommend that you persevere with the first few chapters because the reward after that is incredible. I wanted to create The Charisma Myth review so that you know exactly what you are getting before reading the book.
Key Takeaways
One of the things that I want to pass on to you in The Charisma Myth review is how the author was able to break down charisma into 4 different categories. As a charisma coach, you might believe that there is only 1 type of charisma; however, Olivia Fox Cabane does an excellent job of breaking down which charisma could be right for you:
- Authority Charisma – Exuding confidence and status, this is the commanding leadership type of charisma.
- Focus Charisma – When you focus your attention on one person to make them feel like a million dollars. You want them to be at the center of attention and have them feel valued.
- Kindness Charisma – Projecting warmth and making others feel welcome and appreciated.
- Visionary Charisma – The ability to inspire others, such as Steve Jobs, and craft compelling stories to communicate your message.
Each type of charisma will be required for different situations, and each person will have one of these as a strength. You want to identify which feels most authentic to you and really learn to develop that type of charisma.
After Finishing The Book
Now that I have completed The Charisma Myth, I do feel like I am more equipped to tackle corporate situations more effectively. Some of the strategies I had heard before, but it was nice to read the techniques and visualize situations in which I used them; I got a little comfort from that. Going forward, I am going to try and see if I can use some of the techniques in restaurants and coffee shops to see if I notice or feel a difference in the responses I get from my communication. I am sure the staff in my local coffee shop will hate me, or perhaps love me if it goes well!
Insightful Chapters
There are a few chapters that I would like to draw your attention to because I found them particularly insightful.
The Charismatic Life: Rising to the Challenge
It is always a little disappointing when the last chapter of the book has the most value in it. That being said, this chapter is dedicated to a subject in charisma which is often overlooked, which is vulnerability. We think of charismatic people being perfect or smooth operators. Cabane discusses that this can have the opposite effect and can even make you unlikable. We are attracted to people who are human and flawed because we all have flaws. It makes us more relatable and, as a result, more likable. Do not worry about being perfect; in fact, it can help you more to be imperfect.
Charismatic Body Language
I believe that it’s important to understand the impact of our body language on our charisma. Olivia Fox Cabane takes it to a whole new level. She explains the importance of eye contact, facial expressions, and even a good handshake. Did you know that the handshake was developed to be a sign of trust? As cavemen, we would battle others with a weapon in the right hand. When you shake hands, you cannot wield a weapon, so both people who are shaking hands are offering their trust by incapacitating the other person, even for a moment.
Uneventful Chapters
There are a lot of positives in The Charisma Myth review; however, I want to dive into some of the negative aspects of this book. My aim of this assessment of The Charisma Myth is to arm you with the tools to better develop your charisma and achieve more success.
Creating Charismatic Mental States
I didn’t enjoy this particular chapter. I found it filled with tired advice about mindfulness and being present in the moment. While ‘being present’ is not bad advice, the author doesn’t offer any additional support to help its reader be more present. It was the same thing I have read in a million different communication books. I would have liked the author to look at common distractions like emails, social media notifications, and wandering thoughts and break down how to avoid falling into the trap of just falling out of the moment when speaking to someone.
Overcoming the Obstacles
Anxiety, stress, and self-doubt are all common challenges that people face; however, I do not believe that the author really did a good job of supporting the reader to overcome these obstacles. Affirmations in the mirror, changing mindset, and being prepared as advice do not offer anything new to the reader. People are well aware of the problems they face. I speak to clients every day who are looking to develop their charisma, and they are self-aware enough to identify the problems they face. This chapter felt very vague, fluffy, and filled with ‘guru’ techniques, and there are better books that tackle these challenges better.
Who is this book for?
The Charisma Myth is a great introductory book for someone who is looking to develop charisma that they can use in the corporate world. It outlines core principles of creating a good first impression, delivering presentations, charismatic body language, dealing with difficult situations, and charismatic speaking and listening. I want to emphasize that the book is very much designed to help those looking to climb the corporate ladder or who are already in leadership positions. If you are looking to build confidence in social situations, create deep and meaningful connections, develop romantic relationships, build a social circle, or have flowing conversations, then my advice is to look at an alternative book that focuses on those areas.
The Charisma Myth could benefit you if you are in the following categories:
- A corporate executive
- Career-oriented
- Working in a leadership or management position
- Interested in office communication
- Looking to get a promotion or more opportunities
- Further developing your soft skills
- Becoming more memorable in meetings and presentations
- CEO or Managing Director
- Want to inspire or motivate a team
About Olivia Fox Cabane
Olivia Fox Cabane is an internationally renowned lecturer and author who has taught at schools such as Harvard, Yale, and MIT. Her research innovations in leadership and charisma have made her a recognizable figure in the executive coaching industry. Her talk at Google Headquarters will help give you an insight into her ideology around charisma:
Olivia Fox Cabane has had articles published in media outlets such as Forbes, The Huffington Post, and The New York Times. She brings an interesting mix of science-backed strategies and practical exercises to help her clients unlock their charismatic potential. Cabane’s approach is grounded in the science of human behavior and psychology, offering tangible techniques to enhance one’s presence, communication, and leadership skills.
Develop Charisma
If you have finished reading The Charisma Myth and you want to develop charisma in a genuine and authentic way, then start your journey with charisma coaching. Developing charisma can make you more memorable, captivate others, and exude a magnetic presence. Book your discovery call with our charisma coach to learn more.
