Four Tips from George Clooney to Double Your Charisma

Career Advice: How to  Boost Your Charm & Influence

George Clooney wasn’t at the Academy awards this year. We missed his classy charm on the red carpet. Why? Amongst the glittering Hollywood stars, George stands out for his magnetic ability to make everyone he talks to feel at ease and special.

Here are four things that he does that make him come across as classy and charming. You can use them to boost your appeal in your business and social life.

Four Charismatic tips from George Clooney:

Tip 1. George looks people in the eye

Most people break eye contact a bit too quickly after meeting others. When you speak to someone, looking them in the eye validates them, attracts them and makes them feel heard.

We’re not talking about staring them down. If you sense that the person is uncomfortable with prolonged eye contact, then break it from time to time. When you’re talking to a small group, make sure you engage everyone with eye contact. If this is difficult for you, then work at sharing one thought per person.

As a listener, consciously use eye contact to demonstrate active listening. Coupled with the occasional head nod and leaning forward will convey interest, attention and rapport.

Tip 2. George doesn’t have a poker face

Are you one of those people who frown or has a poker face when taking in information? This can make you appear negative and less approachable. Smiles communicate warmth, pleasure, delight and self-esteem. We’re not talking about an over-the-top psychopathic grin, just a warm open expression.

We’ve worked with more than one client to help them change their poker face to a smile. Our advice is to self-assess by placing a mirror by your phone. (Unobtrusively, otherwise your colleagues might think you’re a little bit narcissistic or self-centered.)

This will give you a sense of how you come across face to face and help you work on opening your expression. As a bonus, the warmth of your smile will increase the charisma of your voice, even over the phone.

Tip 3. George doesn’t go on about me me me

The mistake that many of us make with a new acquaintance is to go on all about ourselves. “Blah Blah Blah!” The best advice for connecting with others is; people don’t care that much about you until you express interest in them.

Take a tip from George and focus the attention on others. Ask them about their interests, their business, and their passions and as rapport is established, they will begin to demonstrate a keener interest in you.

Tip 4. George does it the Buddhist way

George Clooney shines his light on everyone he meets. It’s important to exercise these traits with everyone you meet, not just people you admire or agree with. Don’t brown nose, shine your light on everyone.

The Dalai Lama, another very charismatic person, once talked about how he tries to feel love for everyone he encounters. He doesn’t focus on their failings or differences but greets their potential, the Buddha that they will become.

A Natural Gift?

Does increasing your charisma quotient take some effort? You bet, and that’s why not everybody has it. People aren’t born with charm. It is not an innate gift, it has to be worked at. You have to be mindful and in the moment with everybody that you encounter. But hey, that is another reason why it will make you stand out from the crowd.

You are worth it

Work on adding these influential traits to your interactions until they become second nature. Then when George Clooney meets you, George will be the one thinking, “Wow, what a charismatic person!”

(BTW our upcoming Complete Professional workshops include more tips and strategies that can add charisma to your business interactions.)

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• Executive Image Power eBook
• Savvy Networking Skills

Posted by Terry Pithers – Canadian Business Etiquette Expert and classy, charismatic (and humble) guy