327: The Science of Charisma with Dr John Antonakis

In this engaging conversation, Heather Hansen speaks with Dr. John Antonakis, a leading expert on the science of charisma. They explore the definition of charisma, its importance in leadership and influence, and how it can be learned. Dr. Antonakis shares insights from his research, including studies on the impact of charisma on performance and the role of cognitive empathy in effective communication. The discussion also touches on the potential influence of AI on charisma and the importance of genuine human connection in leadership.

In this research-packed episode, you'll learn: 

• Introduction to the Science of Charisma – Heather and Dr. John Antonakis open with a deep dive into what charisma truly is—not charm or confidence, but a learnable skill grounded in peer-reviewed science.

• Charisma's Measurable Impact on Performance – They explore powerful studies—including one with a robot—showing how charismatic speech alone can increase workplace performance by up to 17%.

• The Building Blocks of Charisma – John introduces his framework: symbols, values, and emotions, and explains how these components combine to create influence that inspires action, not just applause.

• The Power of Metaphor and Framing – Heather and John discuss how storytelling, metaphor, contrast, rhetorical questions, and the “rule of three” work together to create speeches that stick.

• Cognitive vs. Affective Empathy – The duo breaks down why cognitive empathy (understanding how others think) matters more in leadership than feeling what others feel—and why that distinction is critical for decision-making.

• The Myths About Body Language – John challenges the popular belief that charisma is mostly non-verbal, presenting evidence that words drive behavior far more than gestures or facial expressions.

• Charisma as an Equalizer – They unpack how charismatic speech can neutralize biases based on attractiveness, race, and gender, offering hope for more equitable influence in politics, business, and beyond.

• Artificial Intelligence and Charisma – Can AI replicate charisma? Heather and John explore the limitations of using AI to craft influence—and why doing the reps yourself still matters most.

• Practical Tools for Everyday Leaders – Whether you’re a parent, teacher, executive, or coach, you'll walk away with actionable techniques to become more charismatic and persuasive—based on science, not guesswork.

Resources & Links:

🔗 Harvard Business Review Article – Learning Charisma

🎥 Dr. Antonakis’ TEDx Talk – Let’s Face It, Charisma Matters

📰 Newsweek Article – Dog Predicts 2024 Presidential Election

Bonus Announcement:

📅 Heather's FREE Masterclass – How to Handle Being Interrupted

🗓️ August 13 at 3 PM ET

➡️ Learn how to respond to interruptions with confidence and charisma

🎁 Attend live to receive a free checklist giveaway

🔗 Register here

In this episode:

[00:00] Introduction to Dr. John Antonakis

[03:45] Understanding Charisma's Impact

[16:33] The Mechanics of Charisma

[21:10] The Components of Charisma

[36:53] The Role of AI in Charisma

[45:43] Conclusion and Resources

 

Connect with Heather:

• Register for the 8/7 training on How to Manage Interruptions here

• Sched