What charismatic qualities do you have?

What makes Barack Obama so charismatic and so likeable to so many people? Over the past few days I have been spending countless hours watching Obama’s speeches and getting inspired by him time after time. The more I watch and listen to him, the more I like him as a person. Watching him speak live; it is evident that his personality seems so natural and is full of confidence. Some people will perceive a person as charismatic while others will not. However, people who are widely accepted as charismatic often share similar behavioral traits.

Obama has a lot of them. Let’s take a look and see if we can learn a few things.

1.) Charasmatic leaders empower people

“I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington… I’m asking you to believe in yours.” - Barack Obama

Take a look at the video below and see how Obama empowers his audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A-re_G00Mk

2.) Charismatic people inspire confidence

“There’s not a liberal America and a conservative America - there’s the United States of America.” - Barack Obama

Obama has confidence written all over his name. He is calm, collective and cool. When you talk to a person who is confident and charismatic, or ask for advice you will often feel protected and re-assured. You walk away feeling that everything will be ok.

Take a look at his video on 60 minutes and watch how collective and calm he is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHe8N5hL0Wo

3.) Charismatic people use people’s names and physically interact

If you watch the next video, take a look how he interacts with each person he is in contact with. Asking a person their name (or remembering it when you reconnect) is the single best way you can show that you are interested and care about what they are feeling/have to say. Also, watch his eye contact and how comfortable he is around people in the next video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezccUhRA9f4

4.) Charismatic people speak well

“A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence; or a good piece of music. Everybody can recognize it. They say, ‘Huh. It works. It makes sense.” - Barack Obama

Look at the way Obama speaks and how well he articulates each point. He pauses and never stumbles on his words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox4Sc-OrZqw