Increasing your charisma and mental speed or “thinking on your feet” plays a big role in how you show up as a leader and demonstrate executive presence. The goal is to be who you are and have that be exactly how you want other leaders to see you. And that takes practice.
I help clients practice increasing their thinking speed by having them deliver a 2-3 minute (no shorter, no longer) impromptu answer to a question I ask. The technique is like Table Topics® if you’re a Toastmasters type. My client has to quickly organize their thoughts, engage me in a story that includes succinct points — and do it on the spot.
The questions I ask can be on anything – personal hobbies, family, work, interests, etc. Here are a couple of examples:
- When was the last time you tried something new?
- Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?
- How do you choose which relationships to invest in?
For more learning – check out the online course Executive Presence for Introverts. Module 4 is all about sharpening your charisma.
And here are a few articles to support your learning, specifically, how mental speed plays into your charisma.
Fast Thinkers Are Charismatic – HBR
Strengthen Your Quick Thinking – Experis
Try out the technique. Let me know how it feels. What feels most challenging about it? And what happens over time when you keep practicing?