Re:Ask HN: Can you learn to become charismatic?
by impendia on Tuesday May 05, 2020 @04:34PM
(#23084714)
> Participate in some organized activities as a leader.
I've noticed that martial arts schools often cultivate leadership. Once you've been training for a year or two, you will often be asked to demonstrate technique to beginners. Did wonders for my confidence as a teenager.
Similarly with the outdoors club at my university. Once participants had gone on a few trips, they were encouraged to plan, organize, and lead their own.
Any of a number of hobbies ought to offer similar opportunities.
1) Interacting with a ton of people, especially in a public-facing professional context. While generally not great, retail and food service jobs are actually a good way to become charismatic. Especially at local cafes and shops where the veneer of ‘corporate-ness’ doesn’t exist.
2) Participate in some organized activities as a leader. Start a fundraiser, coach a local sports team, host a potluck dinner, that sort of thing. In many ways charisma and leadership are simply a matter of confidence, and the best way to build confidence is to put yourself in real leadership situations, even if the stakes are low.