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How To Irresistibly Attract, Charm, and Influence the People Around You
The art of charisma — of attracting, charming, and influencing the people around you — is not pretending to be something you’re not, but fully expressing who you really are.
A moment’s vulnerability and authenticity are more powerful than an hour of flattery and false charm.
A few years ago, I went to a wedding where I heard one of the most captivating toasts I’ve ever heard. At first, I was stunned at how moving and charismatic the speaker was. He was impeccable, making us laugh, tear up, and nod in agreement. He had the audience hanging on his every word.
But halfway through, I began sensing a bit of disconnect around the room, a bit of unease. His speech seemed too rehearsed. His pauses, even stuttering over words, seemed more strategically planned than genuine. He was beginning to seem like a high-level salesman, not a real friend telling real stories.
You can always tell when someone isn’t being genuine. And once you do, you want to get away from this person as fast as possible, because in a way, they’re trying to trick you to feel something. No one likes being tricked.
The art of charisma — of truly charming and influencing people in a genuine, authentic way — isn’t easy, but it’s simple.