obama-bestSimply put: charismatic people are winners. No, they’re not God’s gift to humanity, and they don’t have any secret talent. The reason charismatic people stand out is because they present themselves in such a way that is hard to ignore. Through their body language, words, and actions, charismatic people set themselves apart from others.

1. They carry themselves well

Charismatic people walk into a room like they own the joint. When giving a speech or presentation, they dress well, stand up straight, and make eye contact with members of the audience. They also aren’t afraid to give a humanizing smirk every once in a while, to remind everyone that they aren’t robots. Although you should never judge a book by its cover, it’s human nature to do so; charismatic people understand this, and present themselves accordingly.

2. They’re persuasive

Charismatic people are able to take complex, abstract ideas, and make them concrete and understandable. They also have the ability to connect seemingly unrelated ideas in order to prove a point or get a message across. Charismatic people can also take global ideas and relate them to a local audience. By using facts and emotional appeal, the most charismatic people can convince an audience of almost anything.

3. They’re good listeners

Not only do charismatic people know how to get a point across, but they also know when to listen to other people’s concerns. Again, they exhibit polite body language, such as eye contact, when listening to others to ensure them that their voice is being heard. They also give feedback directly related to what was said, rather than blowing the other party off and going back to their own ideas. Charismatic people succeed because they create lines of communication between all involved in a specific project or undertaking.

4. They adapt easily

Charismatic people wear many different hats. They can fulfill different roles depending on what is needed at the current time. They have no problem changing their roles within a company if the need arises, as they want what’s best not only for themselves, but everyone around them as well. Charismatic people are also often prepared for contingencies, so when something goes wrong, they’re usually available immediately to right the ship. Their ability to adapt to a variety of situations makes them the “go-to” person within a department or company.

5. They’re entrepreneurial

Charismatic people have great ideas, and are confident that their ideas are actually workable. They analyze problems and brainstorm ways to fix them. And they’re not just thinkers, either. Charismatic people not only come up with ideas, but come up with ways to make these ideas actionable and realistic. Since they adapt easily, they also are able to think of all possible outcomes in a given situation and plan accordingly. By analyzing problems from an objective and actionable perspective, they ensure success for all.

6. They embrace vulnerability

Charismatic people are people, no matter how superhuman they may seem. There may have been a time when they weren’t so gung-ho about giving a presentation in front of dozens (or hundreds) of colleagues, but they didn’t let their fear stop them entirely. Charismatic people embrace their vulnerability and push their comfort zones to the absolute limit. In turn, their comfort zones expand, and they find it much easier to give a presentation the next time.

7. They inspire others

Charismatic people’s “can-do” attitude is completely infectious. They build others up, showing them that, with effort, they, too, can succeed and move up in the world. Charismatic people are usually team players, and want to see everyone succeed. While they are certainly confident in themselves, they also exude confidence in their colleagues as well.

8. They’re optimistic

Charismatic people are always looking for the best possible outcome to a situation. Of course, they don’t just hope for it; they act on it. By doing so, they show confidence that their efforts will pay off in the long run. They view setbacks as moments of improvement, and never let themselves or others around them get complacent. Charismatic people view every second of every day as a chance to excel, and they never waste a beat.