Can charisma be taught?

Summary

The video script delves into the concept of charisma, its impact on elections, and its role in leadership. It highlights Rick Perry's memorable debate fumble and how charisma can influence voter choices beyond policy specifics. Experts from Yale and Harvard discuss the origins and importance of charisma, while the MIT Media Lab introduces a device to measure it. Charisma is portrayed as a blend of strength and warmth, with body language and emotional connection playing key roles. The script also touches on the potential risks of charisma in democracy, where superficial qualities might override substantive policy considerations.

Takeaways

• 😕 Rick Perry's memorable debate moment where he forgot the names of the agencies he wanted to eliminate affected his charisma.
• 🌟 Charisma is described as a personal magnetism that can influence people to follow others based on their personality rather than specific policies.
• 🏛 Professor Joseph Nye from Harvard Kennedy School suggests that charisma plays a significant role in winning elections.
• 📚 Charisma originates from the Greek word meaning a divine gift, indicating a natural talent or capability.
• 🤝 Politicians like Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney focus on projecting naturalness and warmth to connect with voters.
• 🔝 Charismatic leaders like Reagan, Clinton, and Kennedy are remembered for their ability to connect with the public.
• 🔍 Charisma is subjective; what one person finds charismatic, another might not.
• 🧐 George H.W. Bush won the presidency despite not being considered particularly charismatic, showing charisma isn't a prerequisite for success.
• 🔬 MIT Media Lab's 'Sochiometer' device can measure charisma based on how a person speaks and moves, not just what they say.
• 📈 Charisma can influence business decisions, with energy and consistency in speech being key factors.
• 🤔 Charisma can be taught, focusing on body language, emotional connection, and the balance of strength and warmth.

Q & A

What was the pivotal moment in the debate that affected Rick Perry's charisma?

Rick Perry lost his train of thought and couldn't remember the names of the three government agencies he intended to eliminate, which was seen as a charisma-destroying incident.

According to Professor Joseph Nye, why is charisma important in winning elections?

Charisma is a personal magnetism that attracts people to follow a leader by their personality, and most American voters respond to charisma rather than specific policy questions.

What does Mark Oppenheimer define as charisma?

Charisma is a gift or unique capability freely given, something that comes from the gods, representing a talent that one has without necessarily having to earn or deserve it.

How does the 'Sochi ometer' measure charisma?

The 'Sochi ometer' measures not what is said but how it is said, focusing on energy, the way one carries themselves, and the consistency and fluidity of speech.

What are the two key components of charisma according to John Neff injure?

Charisma is a combination of strength and warmth, which can be conveyed through body language, such as standing straight to project strength and smiling genuinely to project warmth.

Why is genuine charisma difficult to fake?

Genuine charisma is hard to fake because it involves a natural connection and emotional engagement that audiences can sense and respond to authentically.

How did the script mention the role of charisma in the election of George H.W. Bush?

The script suggests that despite not being considered particularly charismatic, George H.W. Bush still won the election, supporting the view that charisma is subjective and varies from person to person.

What does the script suggest about the role of charisma in the election of Barack Obama?

The script implies that Barack Obama was seen as charismatic by many, but there were also those who did not find him so, indicating that charisma can be polarizing.

What is the potential risk of charisma in elections as mentioned in the script?

The script suggests that the risk of charisma in elections is that people may vote based on a candidate's likability or charm rather than their policies, which can lead to disastrous outcomes.

How does the script describe the impact of charisma on business decisions?

The script mentions that the 'Sochi ometer' was used to predict the success of a business plan based on the charisma of the presenter, highlighting the influence of charisma on decision-making.

What does the script suggest about the perception of charisma in the age of television?

The script implies that in an election dominated by television, charisma can play a significant role, potentially overshadowing the importance of policy and leading to a mediated perception of a candidate's appeal.

Outlines

00:00

😅 Charisma and its Impact on Elections

This paragraph discusses the concept of charisma in the context of political elections. It highlights the moment when Texas Governor Rick Perry forgot the names of the agencies he would eliminate if elected, illustrating how charisma can be lost. It emphasizes the role of charisma in winning elections, as explained by Professor Joseph Nye, who defines it as a personal magnetism that attracts followers. The paragraph also explores the idea that charisma is not just about appearance but also about the ability to connect with people on a personal level, as demonstrated by politicians like Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney. It concludes by noting that charisma can vary in perception, with examples of presidents who were seen as charismatic by some but not by all.

05:00

🔍 Measuring Charisma: The Sochiometer and its Implications

The second paragraph delves into the scientific measurement of charisma through a device called the Sochiometer, developed by Professor Alex Pentland and his team at MIT. The device measures non-verbal cues such as energy and consistency in speech, which are key indicators of charisma. It discusses a study where the Sochiometer was used to predict the success of business plans based on the presenter's charisma alone. The paragraph also touches on the teachability of charisma, with John Neff and his company KNP Communications offering workshops to improve individuals' charisma through body language and emotional connection. It highlights the importance of strength and warmth in charisma, using examples of political figures like Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to illustrate how charisma can be perceived differently and the challenges in faking genuine charisma.

Keywords

💡Charisma

Charisma refers to a personal magnetism that can attract and influence others. In the context of the video, it is portrayed as a significant factor in winning elections and connecting with voters. Charisma is not just about physical attractiveness but also about the ability to lead and inspire others through personality. Examples from the script include Rick Perry's moment of forgetfulness during a debate, which was seen as a loss of charisma, and the mention of charismatic figures like Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan.

💡Elections

Elections are the process by which people choose their representatives or leaders. The script discusses how charisma plays a crucial role in elections, as it can influence voters' decisions. Charismatic candidates are often more successful because they can connect with voters on a personal level, as illustrated by the discussion on how voters respond to charismatic personalities rather than specific policy questions.

💡Personality

Personality encompasses the unique psychological qualities that define an individual's character and behavior. In the video, personality is closely tied to charisma, as it is through one's personality that they can attract followers and influence others. The script mentions that most American voters vote based on who they like, which often comes down to the candidate's personality and charisma.

💡Leadership

Leadership is the ability to guide, influence, and inspire others towards achieving goals. The video script highlights the importance of leadership in the context of charisma, suggesting that charismatic leaders can rally people behind them. Rick Perry's moment of forgetting the names of government agencies during a debate is contrasted with the idea of a charismatic leader who can command attention and respect.

💡Policy

Policy refers to a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual. The script notes that many voters do not vote based on specific policies but rather on the charisma of the candidate. This highlights the potential disconnect between the substance of a candidate's platform and their ability to win votes based on personal appeal.

💡Influence

Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. In the video, charisma is described as a form of influence, where charismatic individuals can shape the actions and opinions of others. The script uses the example of Rick Santorum's ability to connect with people across Iowa, demonstrating the power of charisma to influence.

💡Magnetism

Magnetism, in the context of the video, is a metaphor for the attractive force that charismatic individuals possess. It is the quality that draws people towards them and makes them compelling. The script suggests that charisma is a form of personal magnetism that can lead people to follow others by their personality.

💡Media

Media refers to the means of communication, such as television, newspapers, or the internet, through which information is disseminated. The script discusses the role of media in elections, particularly how charisma can be conveyed through television to influence voters. It also raises concerns about the potential dangers of a mediated democracy where charisma might overshadow policy substance.

💡Body Language

Body language is the non-verbal cues and gestures that individuals use to communicate. In the video, body language is identified as a key component of charisma, with examples given such as standing up straight to project strength and smiling to convey warmth. The script also mentions the Sochiometer, a device that measures aspects of body language to assess charisma.

💡Warmth

Warmth, in the context of the video, refers to the friendly and approachable aspect of an individual's demeanor. It is a component of charisma that helps to create a connection with others. The script discusses warmth as part of the combination of strength and warmth that defines charisma, with genuine smiles being an example of how warmth can be conveyed.

💡Strength

Strength, in relation to charisma, refers to the assertive and commanding qualities that an individual can project. The video script describes strength as a crucial element of charisma, where standing up straight and maintaining eye contact can convey a sense of authority and confidence. It is part of the balance needed to create a charismatic presence.

Highlights

Charisma is defined as personal magnetism that can influence others to follow.

Charisma's origin is from the Greek, meaning a divinely given gift or talent.

Voters often respond to charisma rather than specific policy questions.

Rick Perry's memorable debate moment where he lost his train of thought.

Charisma can be punctured, as seen with Perry's incident, affecting public perception.

Reagan's use of humor to project warmth and personality.

Charisma varies among individuals; what one finds charismatic, another may not.

George HW Bush won the presidency despite not being seen as particularly charismatic.

Charisma measurement is subjective and can differ based on the observer's perspective.

MIT Media Lab's 'Sochiometer' measures charisma through non-verbal cues.

The Sochiometer assesses energy, hand movements, and speech fluidity.

Charisma can predict the success of business plans based on presentation style.

Charisma can be taught, focusing on emotional connection and body language.

Body language, such as standing straight and smiling, conveys strength and warmth.

President Obama's charisma was felt in 2008 but questioned in later years.

Mitt Romney's attempts at charisma were seen as insincere and ingratiating.

Voters acknowledge that charisma plays a role in their voting decisions.

Concerns that charisma could lead to voting based on surface qualities rather than policies.

Transcripts

and I will tell you it's three agencies

of government when i get there that are

gone commerce education and the what's

the third one there let's see it was an

unforgettable moment of forgetting the

third one I can't sorry oops 453

excruciating seconds in a pivotal debate

Texas Governor Rick Perry lost both his

train of thought and something much more

important well I think you can see an

incident where charisma was destroyed

Perry is attractive handsome you know

comes on strong I'm a leader so I think

there was a beginning of a feeling that

Perry was quite charismatic and then we

had this fumble of not being able to

remember the names you could almost see

the building charisma than which was

punctured Professor Joseph Nye of the

Harvard Kennedy School says though we

may not like to admit it winning

personalities do win elections charisma

is a sense of personal magnetism that

some people have there is an

attractiveness that leads some people to

be able to get others to follow them by

their personality most American voters

ultimately don't vote on specific policy

questions so they're responding to

something and it's often charisma that's

who they like it's only like but what

exactly is charisma mark Oppenheimer who

teaches at Yale has studied the subject

it's from the Greek and it generally

refers to to a gift to something freely

given something you didn't necessarily

have to earn or deserve but it's this

talent or unique capability that that

you have it came from the gods really

on the campaign trail it can be simply

divine lead this country the power of

charisma that personal connection is why

rick santorum glad handed his way

through all 99 iowa counties thanks so

much i hate on why mitt romney has

focused like a laser on projecting

naturalness and warm thank you so much

for all your help but when it comes to

genuine charisma republican candidates

have a tough act to follow i will not

make age an issue of this campaign I am

NOT going to exploit for political

purposes my opponents youth and

inexperience who Reagan had this

extraordinary ability to use humor to

project this warmth of personality in

fact in a new sunday morning poll

ranking the most charismatic presidents

Reagan came in third behind Bill Clinton

and john f kennedy but first among

republicans with the bar that high

there's a talented but bland politician

have a prayer we've had low charisma

presidents i don't think anyone ever

accused Papa butch of being particularly

charismatic I think the younger Bush

while he was he was kryptonite for some

voters he was also compelling to others

he projected a certain kind of ease with

himself a certain kind of humility but

his father I don't think anyone found

his father particularly compelling as a

as a persona but charismatic or not

George HW Bush did win which supports

Oppenheimer's view that charisma like

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

look nobody has Universal charisma thank

you god bless I think Barack Obama

connects with a lot of people as

charismatic but obviously there are

people who loathe Barack Obama and the

same thing was true of Reagan and the

same thing was true of John F Kennedy

it's true of non politicians as well who

do you consider charismatic George

Clooney Derek Jeter Oprah how about the

cookie monster now what starts with the

letter C well charisma what else so what

about you you think you have charisma

wouldn't we all like to believe that we

just radiate magnetic charm all the time

well here at MIT Media Lab researchers

say that with this little device they

actually can use science to measure your

charisma assuming of course that you

have some to measure ok so I'm wearing

this thing yes this is going to tell me

how charismatic I am it's gonna tell me

about how you move and how you speak I

better start moving yeah well you could

decide to do that yeah it's called the

Sochi ometer the brainchild of Professor

Alex pentland and his team at MIT it

measures not what you say but how you

say it so the first thing is energy you

have to be energetic it shows up in your

hands shows up in the voice the way you

sort of carry yourself and do things you

talk with your hands a lot was that a

clutch I want to be cursed to be

energetic and according to my sociology

real advantage take what happened when

the Sochi ometer was used to measure the

impact of charisma on business decisions

we could predict how well the business

plan would be rated without knowing

anything about the business plan without

knowing anything about the person and

the two things that really mattered were

did they sound like they were excited

and were they very consistent and fluid

and how they produced the speech when

the rest of the world sees you what do

they see how do they take that in if the

world's not impressed don't give up

charisma can be taught or so says John

Neff injure an Ivy League law school

grad who now runs workshops

karisma challenged to make sure that you

are emotionally connecting with them in

a way that they they get you and maybe

even see themselves in you neff injure

and his partners at knp communications

defined charisma as a combination of

strength and warmth beginning again with

body language our older relatives

probably told all of us at one point

stand up straight smile and that is

actually the basic formula standing up

straight says I am here to be taken

account of I'm here to be taken

seriously don't mess with me and that

project strength on the other hand

smiling genuinely projects a laudable

Reagan and

all a smile that projects both warmth

and strength there are two different

things going on in the face and so on

the bottom half of the face it's just a

little bit of a smile so you got warmth

going on the bottom that's why the

warmth is coming from but what goes on

in the eyes there's an intention to the

look in the eyes there's a determination

and that intensity connote strength and

intensity and charisma that President

Obama's fans feel he showed in 2008 but

fear he's lost in the dreary business of

governing one of the things that Barack

Obama does that gets in his way a little

bit is often when he's giving a speech

or a more formal address he'll raise his

chin a little bit and when he raises his

chin that has some authority to it but

it also distances himself from us and

what happens is literally he's looking

down his nose at us since makes him seem

arrogant if I get a little off track

neff injures just as hard on Mitt Romney

the favorite in Tuesday's New Hampshire

primary there's a big gap he looks like

the kind of person that a movie

producers we cast as the president in a

big movie but it's not quite that easy

what's wrong he tries to ham it up a

little bit and he he's got that big

smile out there and gosh darn it he's

going to be friendly and it comes off as

a little ingratiating which is to say he

wants to be likable but he's not

necessarily actually caring about the

way people that you it seems fake real

charisma is hard to fake and in the new

sunday morning poll three out of four

voters say that indefinable something

will play a role in their vote one in

four says a major role not everyone

finds this reassuring I would not like

to see you know democracy people voting

simply on whether a person has a nice

smile or a glad hand because sometimes

that can lead to disastrous policies but

in an election dominated so much by

television that seems to be a big risk

and that's one of the great dangers we

which is as it becomes more of a

mediated phenomena what do we really

have charisma charisma

ah

Jarvis