#157 - How To Strengthen Your Charisma Muscle in Everyday Situations
Fri Feb 06 2026
Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast.
In this episode, Brett McDermott challenges the myth that charisma is something you’re born with. Instead, he reveals why charisma is a skill—a muscle—that grows stronger through repetition, not performance. And the best training ground isn’t the stage or the boardroom, but the ordinary interactions you have every single day.
Brett walks through practical “charisma workouts” you can apply immediately: slowing down micro‑interactions with presence, asking one extra curious question in small talk, holding silence instead of rushing to fill it, and recognizing people with warmth and specificity. These simple reps build confidence, connection, and influence without scripts or tricks.
Whether you’re leading a team, negotiating, or just ordering coffee, this episode shows how charisma is built one ordinary moment at a time.
Key Takeaways
Charisma is trainable, not innateEveryday micro‑interactions are the best practice groundPresence beats clever words—eye contact and vocal warmth matter mostSilence signals confidence and authorityRecognition with specificity builds trust and influence
More
Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott challenges the myth that charisma is something you’re born with. Instead, he reveals why charisma is a skill—a muscle—that grows stronger through repetition, not performance. And the best training ground isn’t the stage or the boardroom, but the ordinary interactions you have every single day. Brett walks through practical “charisma workouts” you can apply immediately: slowing down micro‑interactions with presence, asking one extra curious question in small talk, holding silence instead of rushing to fill it, and recognizing people with warmth and specificity. These simple reps build confidence, connection, and influence without scripts or tricks. Whether you’re leading a team, negotiating, or just ordering coffee, this episode shows how charisma is built one ordinary moment at a time. Key Takeaways Charisma is trainable, not innateEveryday micro‑interactions are the best practice groundPresence beats clever words—eye contact and vocal warmth matter mostSilence signals confidence and authorityRecognition with specificity builds trust and influence