Charisma is not an inborn gift — it’s a set of learnable behaviors. Drawing on research by John Antonakis and others, this course teaches the verbal and non-verbal skills that make people influential, trusted, and inspiring. Participants learn to balance power and warmth, master presence, use storytelling for impact, and build emotional intelligence for authentic connection. Through live demonstrations, practice drills, and feedback, they enhance their ability to command attention, inspire others, and communicate with confidence. Applicable for leaders, professionals, educators, and anyone seeking to strengthen their influence, this program delivers practical, research-based strategies for becoming more magnetic in every interaction.

Duration: 1–2 Days (Customizable)

Format: Interactive Workshop / Experiential Training

Mode: In-Person or Virtual

Course Overview

Charisma isn’t magic — and it’s not limited to celebrities, politicians, or motivational speakers. Science shows charisma is a learnable set of verbal and non-verbal behaviors that can dramatically improve how others perceive, trust, and follow you.

In this course, participants unpack the psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science behind magnetic presence. They’ll learn specific, research-backed techniques to project confidence, warmth, and credibility, while staying authentic. Whether you’re leading a team, pitching ideas, networking, or building influence in your community, charisma can amplify your impact.

We go beyond surface-level tips, giving you tools to shift your mindset, master presence, and connect more deeply with others — skills you can apply immediately in both personal and professional life.

Why This Course Matters

First impressions last: Studies show people form lasting opinions about you within seconds.

Charisma drives influence: John Antonakis’s research identifies 12 Charismatic Leadership Tactics (CLTs) that consistently improve perceived leadership ability.

Connection builds trust: Charismatic people are more persuasive, better at building alliances, and more likely to inspire action.

In a world flooded with information and noise, charisma helps your voice be heard — and remembered.

Who Should Attend

Leaders and managers wanting to inspire and engage their teams.

Professionals and entrepreneurs aiming to improve networking and influence.

Educators, trainers, and speakers seeking stronger audience connection.

Anyone who wants to improve personal presence and interpersonal impact.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Understand the science behind charisma and its impact on trust, influence, and leadership.
• Identify and strengthen the three pillars of charisma: presence, power, and warmth.
• Use verbal and non-verbal techniques to improve communication impact.
• Build emotional intelligence to connect authentically with others.
• Apply charisma to professional contexts such as presentations, meetings, and negotiations.
• Develop a personal charisma growth plan.

Course Modules

Module 1: Debunking the Charisma Myth

What charisma really is — and isn’t.

Separating personality from behavior: why introverts can be highly charismatic.

Case studies of charismatic figures from business, politics, and history.

Activity: Self-assessment — your current charisma profile.

Module 2: The Science of Presence

Princeton research on “neural coupling” — why full attention makes you magnetic.

Mirror neurons and emotional contagion.

How to eliminate distractions and make others feel deeply heard.

Exercise: 1-on-1 “deep listening” practice.

Module 3: Power, Warmth, and Balance

The two dimensions that shape others’ perceptions of you.

The dangers of high power/low warmth or high warmth/low power.

Finding your balance based on context and audience.

Practice: Role-play scenarios to shift between power and warmth.

Module 4: The 12 Charismatic Leadership Tactics (CLTs)

Based on John Antonakis’s research, learn and practice the most effective verbal and non-verbal behaviors, including:

Using metaphors and storytelling.

Expressing moral conviction.

Animated voice tone and body language.

High-impact gestures and facial expressions.

Activity: Delivering a short talk using multiple CLTs.

Module 5: Emotional Intelligence in Action

Reading emotional cues accurately.

Managing your own emotional state under pressure.

Building rapport through empathy and validation.

Practice: Rapid empathy drills.

Module 6: Storytelling as a Charisma Amplifier

The neuroscience of stories — why they captivate attention and drive action.

Structure of a compelling, memorable story.

How to use personal and organizational narratives to inspire.

Exercise: Craft and deliver a 2-minute influence story.

Module 7: Charisma in Professional Settings

Applying charisma to presentations, negotiations, and interviews.

Using charisma to lead change and inspire buy-in.

Cross-cultural nuances — adapting to diverse audiences.

Case Study: Analysing a leader’s speech for charisma markers.

Delivery Methodology

Interactive Lectures: Research-backed insights simplified for action.

Live Demonstrations: Facilitator modeling of techniques.

Video Feedback: Participants practice and review their own presence.

Peer Coaching: Supportive feedback from fellow participants.

High-Energy Exercises: Real-time skill building.

Practical Takeaways

Personal Charisma Development Plan with specific focus areas.

A toolkit of verbal and non-verbal charisma enhancers.

A set of ready-to-use influence stories.

Self-awareness of presence, body language, and emotional impact.

Real-World Applications

Leaders: Build followership, inspire vision, and lead through change.

Professionals: Improve client relationships and win more opportunities.

Educators: Hold attention and inspire learning.

Community Influencers: Rally support for causes and initiatives.

Transformation Promise

Participants will leave not just knowing what makes someone charismatic, but being more charismatic — confident, warm, and compelling, with the tools to build authentic influence in every interaction.