Author Name: Olivia Fox Cabin

Marilyn Monroe wanted to make a point.

It was a sunny summer day in New York City in 1955, and Marilyn was walking toward Grand Central Station with a photographer and a magazine editor. Although it was the middle of a busy work day and the station was crowded with people, no one noticed her waiting there. While the photographer was snapping pictures, she stepped onto the train and quietly went to a corner of the car, unrecognized.

Marilyn wanted to make it clear that it was up to her to be either glamorous Marilyn Monroe or simple Norma Jean Baker. On the train, she was Norma Jean. But when she stepped back onto the crowded New York City platforms, she decided to transform into Marilyn. She looked around and playfully asked her photographer, "Do you want to see her?" There were no big gestures—she just "tossed her hair and struck a pose."

With this simple change, she suddenly became attractive. An aura of magic seemed to surround her, and everything stopped. The time machine stopped, and the people around her stood still, staring in amazement as they suddenly recognized the star standing among them. In moments, fans surrounded Marilyn, and it took several terrifying, successive minutes for the photographer to help her escape the ever-increasing crowd!1

Charisma has been a controversial and interesting topic. When I tell people at conferences or parties that I "study charisma," their expressions suddenly change, and they often say, "But we think it's something you either have naturally or you don't." Some see it as an unfair advantage, others are eager to learn, but everyone is impressed. And rightly so; charismatic people influence the world, whether they're founding new businesses, companies, or empires.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be as charismatic as Bill Clinton or as captivating as Steve Jobs? Whether you think you already have some charisma and want to take it to the next level, or you've longed for a little more of that charm but think you just don't have it, here's good news: Charisma is a skill you can learn and practice.