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The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Olivia Fox Cabane (Author), Lisa Cordileione (Narrator), Gildan Media, LLC (Publisher)
4.5 out of 5 stars 3,674 ratings

What if charisma could be taught? For the first time, science and technology have taken charisma apart, figured it out and turned it into an applied science: In controlled laboratory experiments, researchers could raise or lower people's level of charisma as if they were turning a dial. What you'll find here is practical magic: unique knowledge, drawn from a variety of sciences, revealing what charisma really is and how it works. You'll get both the insights and the techniques you need to apply this knowledge. The world will become your lab, and every person you meet, a chance to experiment.

The Charisma Myth is a mix of fun stories, sound science, and practical tools. Cabane takes a hard scientific approach to a heretofore mystical topic, covering what charisma actually is, how it is learned, what its side effects are, and how to handle them.

Please note: The accompanying workbook for this title is available at AskOlivia.com/book/exercises/.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 20 minutes
  2. Author
    Olivia Fox Cabane
  3. Narrator
    Lisa Cordileione
  4. Audible release date
    June 26, 2012
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Gildan Media, LLC
  7. ASIN
    B008EWTL56
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 20 minutes
Author Olivia Fox Cabane
Narrator Lisa Cordileione
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date June 26, 2012
Publisher Gildan Media, LLC
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B008EWTL56
Best Sellers Rank #4,046 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#35 in Self-Esteem (Audible Books & Originals)
#38 in Communication & Social Skills (Audible Books & Originals)
#61 in Communication & Social Skills (Books)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,674 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and practical, providing useful tips and easy-to-follow lessons. Moreover, they appreciate how it goes beyond charisma theory to include exercises, and one customer notes it covers every aspect necessary for charisma. Additionally, the book effectively addresses anxiety and self-confidence, helping readers keep emotions in check, while the visual content receives positive feedback for its detailed presentation. Customers consider it a worthwhile investment, particularly for those starting their career.

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333 customers mention "Information quality"319 positive14 negative

Customers find the book insightful and appreciate its practical exercises, with one customer noting it serves as an invaluable resource of research-based ideas.

"...But it gives you direct, specific, applied practices that, if you do them, will make you more charismatic and enrich your life...." Read more

"...There are exercises to build skills such as- presence, de-stressing, neutralizing negativity, finding peace with difficult people, stretching your..." Read more

"...and it is taught that you can’t fake body language so the book provides many exercises that one can use to put you in the right state of mind so..." Read more

"...Visionary - Make them feel inspired. Project complete conviction and confidence in a cause. Sell on the vision, not yourself...." Read more

236 customers mention "Readability"236 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and worth buying, particularly noting it's excellent for those beginning their career.

"...The Charisma Myth is a truly phenomenal book. It's so good that I have recommended it to several of my colleagues and it has already changed the way..." Read more

"...The Charisma Myth is one of the most engaging, insightful and helpful books I've EVER read...." Read more

"There are some very good things about this book, and there are some very bad things, some sick things, and some spooky things about this book...." Read more

"...Fact is: We can all cultivate our personal magnetism. In this fun, quick-reading, compelling book, Olivia Fox Cabane walks us through the..." Read more

162 customers mention "Charisma"152 positive10 negative

Customers appreciate the book's methodical approach to learning charisma, noting that the exercises extend beyond just charisma. One customer mentions that the book covers every aspect necessary for charisma in detail, while another notes how the relatable stories help cement the methods and types.

"...specific, applied practices that, if you do them, will make you more charismatic and enrich your life...." Read more

"...One of the biggest fundamental ideas, however, is to make others feel like remarkable people rather than portray yourself as top dog--you can have..." Read more

"...This book’s focus is on body language...." Read more

"...Nonverbal body language makes them feel completely listened to, understood, and respected. Use when you need people to open up and share information...." Read more

127 customers mention "Ease of understanding"113 positive14 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand, appreciating its simple language and detailed step-by-step explanations.

"...and it has already changed the way I manage my team and relate to my coworkers...." Read more

"...All of this very technical information is written in a direct, easy-to-follow style...." Read more

"...caught up in your thoughts, and this seems to be the simplest of the three to accomplish...." Read more

"...In this fun, quick-reading, compelling book, Olivia Fox Cabane walks us through the practical application of the art and science of deliberately..." Read more

49 customers mention "Interest"46 positive3 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with many appreciating the cool stories and anecdotes throughout.

"...- As it has been proven to help alter our mind state, relive past victories and project future ones...." Read more

"...social dynamics, etc, but I've gotta say this is some of the most novel, forward-thinking and practical information I've come across...." Read more

"...She includes great stories and examples to make her points. She includes lots of tools for the reader to use to learn to become more charismatic...." Read more

"Increase your knowledge with it . .. it's very interesting" Read more

45 customers mention "Confidence"45 positive0 negative

Customers report significant improvements in confidence and emotional control after reading the book, particularly noting its effectiveness in managing anxiety and stress in social situations.

"...This book doesn't make you magically charismatic. But it gives you direct, specific, applied practices that, if you do them, will make you more..." Read more

"...The book also covers overcoming your obstacles, creating positive mental states, making the right first impression, being a good speaker and listener..." Read more

"...I’ll continue to be fine and anxiety free. It’s that easy. Now the wacky stuff. Some of these exercises are cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs...." Read more

"...Types of Charisma * Focus - They can can feel the intensity of your attention, how keenly you listens and absorbs everything they say...." Read more

28 customers mention "Visual content"20 positive8 negative

Customers appreciate the book's visual content, noting that it is properly outlined with key ideas and has all the necessary details, with one customer specifically highlighting the effectiveness of visualization techniques.

"...But it gives you direct, specific, applied practices that, if you do them, will make you more charismatic and enrich your life...." Read more

"...finding peace with difficult people, stretching your comfort zone, visualization, gratitude, compassion, using the Metta exercise, perfect handshake..." Read more

"...The first chapter consists of less than 4 pages and reads like a preface...." Read more

"...Stay present in your body and awareness of them * Use imagery and metaphors - Presidents rated as charismatic, such as Franklin Delano..." Read more

23 customers mention "Value for money"20 positive3 negative

Customers find the book worth every penny, with one mentioning it's a great investment in their own future.

"...adroit, the practicality of what she give to you for the inexpensive price of a book, is beyond measure...." Read more

"...Power is projected by speaking concisely and providing high value...." Read more

"...This book is worth every bloody penny." Read more

"...All in all, an unbelievably valuable, essential read. :) Ten stars." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Brian Sharp
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best book of its kind I've ever read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I read a lot of books in this genre - call it "professional self-help." I've spoken professionally a few times now about leadership and communication, and for my most recent one just a few months ago I did a ton of reading research and a lot of it was books like this one. Most of them are mediocre. I began reading The Charisma Myth expecting more of the same, frankly: platitudes, some common sense stuff, the kinds of advice that will only make sense to people who don't need it. I was just hoping for a tidbit or two that would be useful.

    I don't really gush about things. If anything I tend to be very demanding and therefore very critical. Like I said, I think most books in this genre are essentially useless.

    The Charisma Myth is a truly phenomenal book. It's so good that I have recommended it to several of my colleagues and it has already changed the way I manage my team and relate to my coworkers. In fact, my first gut reaction when I read it was "I guess I should stop speaking, now, because everything I'd want to talk about is covered in here."

    Here's the thing: most of these kinds of books give you a few things:

    1. Platitudes: useless, pithy sayings.
    2. Random Anecdotes: stories that don't really offer any takeaway you can act on.
    3. Abstract Imperatives: things like "be a good listener!" If you're not already a good listener that's kind of like saying "Roast Beef Recipe: Get some beef and roast it." It's not helpful - it doesn't tell me what actual specific actions to take.

    Here's what this book gave me:

    1. Extremely concrete, specific actions: Every piece of advice about conduct or mindset is accompanied by direct actions to take. When you're in a conversation and find your mind drifting, bring it back to a physical sensation in the present, like the feeling in your toes. That's just one example of many, but they're all things you can actually DO, not abstract imperatives like "be a better listener" or pithy-but-vapid stuff like "smile more!"

    2. Visualizations: I've never seen anyone push visualization like Olivia does. She makes the compelling point that visualization is something top athletes and actors have known about forever. In my talks I've always felt slightly uncomfortable urging people to do visualizations, but not anymore, not after reading this. She runs through a lot of specific visualizations, and they're immediately useful practices.

    3. Taxonomies: Of the most useful business and management blogs I read, some of their most useful posts (I'm thinking of randsinrepose.com, for example) are taxonomies. "The five kinds of meeting attendees." "The four kinds of firefighting." Or whatever. These are helpful to me because by enumerating a problem space as a handful of distinct categories they help me crystallize my own thinking about it. Olivia does this when she enumerates the four kinds of charisma. Look, I think I'm a good manager and leader, an empathetic guy and good at my job, I'm not gonna lie, but I'd never thought about it in this way. This was pretty eye-opening to me. I read this part and thought, oh yeah, I've got the "focus" and "kindness" charisma but less of the "authority" and definitely least of all the "visionary" charisma. And that gives me specific things to work on, and a way to understand why I'm better at motivating people in certain circumstances rather than others.

    To anyone who wants to be more charismatic: to be more successful at work, more able to positively influence those around them, more able to open up and make real connections with others, and just more able to lead a rich and happy life - and I know how this sounds, I swear I don't usually gush like this! - this book tells you everything you need to know. Everything! No other book I've read does that.

    To be clear, that's like saying Rippetoe's "Starting Strength" tells you everything you need to know to be a very good, extremely strong weightlifter. You still have to do a ton of really hard work! This book doesn't make you magically charismatic. But it gives you direct, specific, applied practices that, if you do them, will make you more charismatic and enrich your life. Of all the pop psychology, management, leadership, and professional self-help books I've ever read, I cannot say that about a single other one.

    I give this book my absolute highest recommendation. It is absolutely superb. I don't say that lightly.
    1,430 people found this helpful
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  • Sam
    5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful guide to opening up and influencing others
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The Charisma Myth has opened my eyes up to my social capabilities. I know I'm not a doormat and I need to project that power to other people. I'm done not being taken seriously in job interviews because of nervousness. I'm sick of giving the impression that I have no personality due to shy politeness. That's really not who I am--I have a backbone, I speak my mind and I don't take crap. I want deep respect among my peers and for people to listen to me. I am so glad I discovered The Charisma Myth.

    Olivia Fox Cabane is a professional charisma coach and lecturer, she has spoken at Stanford, Yale, Harvard, MIT and focuses on charisma coaching for professionals in business. If that's not great validation, what is? She explains that charisma is not something certain lucky people are simply born with--Charisma is a skill set that anybody is capable of developing. She gives great advice on projecting Presence, Power and Warmth, the three most valuable characteristics of charisma. The four different types of charisma are defined: Focus like Bill Gates & Gandhi; Visionary like Steve Jobs & Martin Luther King Jr.; Kindness like Princess Diana & The Dalai Lama; Authority like Winston Churchill & Margaret Thatcher. The book also covers overcoming your obstacles, creating positive mental states, making the right first impression, being a good speaker and listener, and body language. There are scientific explanations for how our mind affects our physiology and vice versa; how the brain works and how it can trick us. There are exercises to build skills such as- presence, de-stressing, neutralizing negativity, finding peace with difficult people, stretching your comfort zone, visualization, gratitude, compassion, using the Metta exercise, perfect handshake, voice fluctuation & vocal power, "Being the big Gorilla" authority projection, and showing vulnerability.

    One of the biggest fundamental ideas, however, is to make others feel like remarkable people rather than portray yourself as top dog--you can have authority but not be perceived as likeable. The goal is to take interest in people and you will in turn be liked and have that power. That is more genuine than trying too hard to act boisterous, controlling, and demanding of attention. The book has helped me realize the behavior of others and why they may be acting that way. It's helped my angry mind rationalize my opinion of one particular person I worked with, who loved to hear themselves talk and always talked about themselves but I always knew they put on a front. I now realize this person is probably insecure and is overcompensating & using it as a defense mechanism. I've actually had a few small social encounters where this person was relaxed, real and I thought they were decent. See? It's a first and false impression that can completely ruin other peoples' perception! Even if you don't care what people think, still be aware of how others perceive you. *I still don't really like that person :)

    My favorite quote from the book is one said by Dale Carnegie-- "You can make more friends in two months by becoming truly interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."

    All of this very technical information is written in a direct, easy-to-follow style. It's been a while since I've had the patience to sit down and read a book, and I can't tell you how many times I've started reading a book and didn't pick it up after a few chapters. Amazingly, I read this over the course of a 5-day period. The Charisma Myth is one of the most engaging, insightful and helpful books I've EVER read. So I may not attend an Ivy-League school or work in business, but I can build these skills in my acting career--you absolutely need to be confident as an actor. If you're on the fence, read this book! I'm happy I did.

    Thank you, Olivia!
    11 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Arthur S. Lima
    5.0 out of 5 stars Assertive Title
    Reviewed in Brazil on December 15, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Indeed I was convinced of the charisma myth. After a few pages, no more. The book is well written and teach a lot about charisma and mental discomfort for the sole purpose to enhance one's ability to shine with all charismatic prowess he can show in that moment after all charisma is like leadership, a skill. An improvable skill!
    I'd recommend this book to everyone!
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  • Hé hé boy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Très bon
    Reviewed in France on October 25, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    C'est un excellent livre pour toutes personnes qui souhaitent s'améliorer dans le domaine du charisme, ou même débuter dans ce domaine.
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  • Lara
    5.0 out of 5 stars Praktische Techniken
    Reviewed in Germany on April 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    „The Charisma Myth“ von Olivia Fox Cabane ist ein faszinierendes Buch, das die oft mystifizierte Eigenschaft des Charismas entmystifiziert und in greifbare, erlernbare Fähigkeiten zerlegt. Cabane präsentiert Charisma nicht als angeborene Eigenschaft, sondern als ein Set von Techniken und Verhaltensweisen, die systematisch erlernt und verbessert werden können. Mit einer Mischung aus psychologischer Forschung und praktischen Übungen bietet dieses Buch den Lesern wertvolle Einsichten darüber, wie man Präsenz, Wärme und Macht verbessern kann, um in persönlichen und beruflichen Beziehungen erfolgreicher zu sein. Jedes Kapitel schließt mit leicht umsetzbaren Tipps und Routinen, die Lesern helfen, ihre eigenen charismatischen Fähigkeiten zu entwickeln und so ihre sozialen Interaktionen zu bereichern. Ein unverzichtbarer Leitfaden für jeden, der sein Einflusspotential maximieren möchte.
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  • Gabriele
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
    Reviewed in Italy on January 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Perfect
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Will be recommending this to everyone
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely loved this book! Full of actual actionable advice and really well written.
    Report