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The Charismatic Leader: 21 Skills to Connect with People
Is charisma essential for every leader? Absolutely, because at its core, leadership is about influence--nothing more, nothing less. This reality underscores the importance of engaging effectively with others. The Charismatic 21 Skills for Connecting with People unveils John Maxwell's roadmap to more impactful leadership through the power of charisma.
By adopting a mindset that prioritizes others—transforming every "Here I am!" into a heartfelt "Ah, there you are!"--you can light up any room and create deep, meaningful connections.
The Charismatic 21 Skills for Connecting with People unveils John Maxwell's roadmap to more impactful leadership through the power of charisma. But is charisma essential for every leader? Absolutely, because at its core, leadership is about influence—nothing more, nothing less. This reality underscores the importance of engaging effectively with others.
The Charismatic Leader highlights the indispensable role of cultivating positive relationships adapted from his acclaimed 25 Ways to Win with People and applied to leadership. The book offers twenty-one actionable skills to cultivate charisma by positively engaging with people across three transformative
Becoming Interested in Others: The foundation of charisma starts with showing genuine interest in the people around you.Becoming Invested in Others: Learn the art of adding value to others' lives, setting the stage for deeper relationships and collaboration.Becoming Interesting to Others: Discover how to present yourself in ways that captivate and engage, completing the charismatic transformationCharisma begins with a focus outward, not inward. By caring for and about others, you naturally become more interesting and engaging. Through dedication to these practices, you'll not only attract more people but also open doors to new opportunities for leading effectively and fostering collective success.
Embark on this transformational leadership voyage with John Maxwell. Dedicate yourself to practicing these approaches daily, and watch as people naturally gravitate towards you, ready to join in on the path to shared achievements.
By adopting a mindset that prioritizes others—transforming every "Here I am!" into a heartfelt "Ah, there you are!"--you can light up any room and create deep, meaningful connections.
The Charismatic 21 Skills for Connecting with People unveils John Maxwell's roadmap to more impactful leadership through the power of charisma. But is charisma essential for every leader? Absolutely, because at its core, leadership is about influence—nothing more, nothing less. This reality underscores the importance of engaging effectively with others.
The Charismatic Leader highlights the indispensable role of cultivating positive relationships adapted from his acclaimed 25 Ways to Win with People and applied to leadership. The book offers twenty-one actionable skills to cultivate charisma by positively engaging with people across three transformative
Becoming Interested in Others: The foundation of charisma starts with showing genuine interest in the people around you.Becoming Invested in Others: Learn the art of adding value to others' lives, setting the stage for deeper relationships and collaboration.Becoming Interesting to Others: Discover how to present yourself in ways that captivate and engage, completing the charismatic transformationCharisma begins with a focus outward, not inward. By caring for and about others, you naturally become more interesting and engaging. Through dedication to these practices, you'll not only attract more people but also open doors to new opportunities for leading effectively and fostering collective success.
Embark on this transformational leadership voyage with John Maxwell. Dedicate yourself to practicing these approaches daily, and watch as people naturally gravitate towards you, ready to join in on the path to shared achievements.
- GenresLeadershipBusiness
208 pages, Hardcover
Published March 18, 2025
65 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
John C. Maxwell
998 books5,836 followersJohn Calvin Maxwell is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership. Titles include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Some of his books have been on the New York Times Best Seller List.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 17, 2025
First things first. I was under the impression that this was a book of new material by John Maxwell, who I have learned from for nearly 25 years. Instead, the book is “Derived from material previously published in 25 Ways to Win with People, a 2005 book that Maxwell wrote with Les Parrott.
Maxwell writes that having charisma makes people want to spend time with you, work with you, and accomplish worthwhile objectives together with you. He tells us that charisma is like leadership. It can be learned and developed. The secret to charisma is simple, it is focusing on others. You just need to care about people and make them feel important.
In the book, in short chapters, Maxwell walks the reader through twenty-one simple ways to develop charisma by interacting positively with people. You learn skills in three phases: Becoming Interested in Others Becoming Invested in Others Becoming Interesting to Others.
The book is not one of my favorite leadership books by Maxwell. Still, I had a few takeaways. Here are six of them:
• At the core of my being, I believe that nothing in this life is more important than people, and we should do everything in our power to add value to people.
• Remembering a person’s name and calling them by it tells them you care about them as an individual.
• Every good leader I’ve ever met was a good listener.
• The fundamental cause of nearly all communication problems is that people don’t listen to understand; they listen to reply.
• Whenever you have the opportunity to praise another person publicly, don’t let it slip by.
• Passing the credit on to others is one of the easiest ways to connect with people and make yourself more attractive to them as a leader.
Maxwell writes that having charisma makes people want to spend time with you, work with you, and accomplish worthwhile objectives together with you. He tells us that charisma is like leadership. It can be learned and developed. The secret to charisma is simple, it is focusing on others. You just need to care about people and make them feel important.
In the book, in short chapters, Maxwell walks the reader through twenty-one simple ways to develop charisma by interacting positively with people. You learn skills in three phases: Becoming Interested in Others Becoming Invested in Others Becoming Interesting to Others.
The book is not one of my favorite leadership books by Maxwell. Still, I had a few takeaways. Here are six of them:
• At the core of my being, I believe that nothing in this life is more important than people, and we should do everything in our power to add value to people.
• Remembering a person’s name and calling them by it tells them you care about them as an individual.
• Every good leader I’ve ever met was a good listener.
• The fundamental cause of nearly all communication problems is that people don’t listen to understand; they listen to reply.
• Whenever you have the opportunity to praise another person publicly, don’t let it slip by.
• Passing the credit on to others is one of the easiest ways to connect with people and make yourself more attractive to them as a leader.
March 25, 2025
Smart book on making your smarter/charismatic.
Great tips on what changes in the way you think and behave to make yourself valuable to others and to yourself eventually.
Great tips on what changes in the way you think and behave to make yourself valuable to others and to yourself eventually.
March 24, 2025
Straightforward and handy guide that builds on much of the great content of Win Friends and Influence People and 7 Habits. I would have liked a more indepth look at handling challenging situations and leading in difficult times with resistant people.
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June 27, 2025Book Review: The Charismatic Leader: 21 Skills to Connect with People by John C. Maxwell
John C. Maxwell’s The Charismatic Leader is a compelling exploration of the intersection between leadership and human connection, framed through the lens of actionable charisma. As a woman navigating professional spaces where influence often determines opportunity, I found Maxwell’s premise—that charisma is not innate but cultivated—both empowering and challenging. The book’s central argument, that leadership is fundamentally about outward-focused influence, resonated deeply, though its execution occasionally left me yearning for greater nuance in addressing gendered dynamics of charisma in the workplace.
Maxwell’s 21 skills are structured into three transformative phases, each designed to shift the reader’s mindset from self-centeredness to other-centeredness. The first phase, Becoming Interested in Others, struck me as particularly vital; its emphasis on active listening and genuine curiosity felt like a rebuttal to the performative networking often expected of women leaders. However, I occasionally questioned whether the book adequately addresses the emotional labor involved in this work, especially for marginalized groups who must navigate unconscious biases while projecting warmth and authority.
The second phase, Becoming Invested in Others, offers practical strategies for adding value to relationships, which I appreciated for its rejection of transactional leadership. Yet, as a reader, I wished for more case studies showcasing diverse leadership styles—particularly examples of women and minorities who’ve succeeded without conforming to traditional charismatic archetypes. Maxwell’s tone, while motivational, sometimes veers into universalism, glossing over the systemic barriers that can make “lighting up a room” more fraught for some than others.
The final phase, Becoming Interesting to Others, delivers actionable advice on self-presentation, though its focus on likability occasionally clashes with modern discourse on authenticity. I found myself both inspired and conflicted; Maxwell’s techniques are undeniably effective, but I craved a deeper discussion on balancing charisma with integrity in an era where leaders are increasingly scrutinized.
Strengths:
-Practicality: The 21 skills are clear, concise, and immediately applicable.
-Optimistic Tone: Maxwell’s belief in the learnability of charisma is infectious.
-Structured Approach: The three-phase model provides a logical progression for personal growth.
Critiques:
-Lack of Intersectionality: The book rarely acknowledges how race, gender, or culture impact perceptions of charisma.
-Surface-Level Engagement: Some skills risk reducing connection to a checklist rather than a holistic practice.
-Overemphasis on Likability: Could inadvertently reinforce exhausting “always on” expectations for underrepresented leaders.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) – A valuable toolkit for any leader seeking to amplify their influence, though its one-size-fits-all approach may not address the complexities faced by diverse professionals.
Thank you to Harper Collins Focus and Edelweiss for providing a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Final Thought: Maxwell’s book is a mirror and a map—it reflects the gaps in our leadership habits while charting a path to deeper connection. For women readers, its lessons are both liberating and laden with unspoken challenges, making it a conversation starter rather than a definitive guide.
John C. Maxwell’s The Charismatic Leader is a compelling exploration of the intersection between leadership and human connection, framed through the lens of actionable charisma. As a woman navigating professional spaces where influence often determines opportunity, I found Maxwell’s premise—that charisma is not innate but cultivated—both empowering and challenging. The book’s central argument, that leadership is fundamentally about outward-focused influence, resonated deeply, though its execution occasionally left me yearning for greater nuance in addressing gendered dynamics of charisma in the workplace.
Maxwell’s 21 skills are structured into three transformative phases, each designed to shift the reader’s mindset from self-centeredness to other-centeredness. The first phase, Becoming Interested in Others, struck me as particularly vital; its emphasis on active listening and genuine curiosity felt like a rebuttal to the performative networking often expected of women leaders. However, I occasionally questioned whether the book adequately addresses the emotional labor involved in this work, especially for marginalized groups who must navigate unconscious biases while projecting warmth and authority.
The second phase, Becoming Invested in Others, offers practical strategies for adding value to relationships, which I appreciated for its rejection of transactional leadership. Yet, as a reader, I wished for more case studies showcasing diverse leadership styles—particularly examples of women and minorities who’ve succeeded without conforming to traditional charismatic archetypes. Maxwell’s tone, while motivational, sometimes veers into universalism, glossing over the systemic barriers that can make “lighting up a room” more fraught for some than others.
The final phase, Becoming Interesting to Others, delivers actionable advice on self-presentation, though its focus on likability occasionally clashes with modern discourse on authenticity. I found myself both inspired and conflicted; Maxwell’s techniques are undeniably effective, but I craved a deeper discussion on balancing charisma with integrity in an era where leaders are increasingly scrutinized.
Strengths:
-Practicality: The 21 skills are clear, concise, and immediately applicable.
-Optimistic Tone: Maxwell’s belief in the learnability of charisma is infectious.
-Structured Approach: The three-phase model provides a logical progression for personal growth.
Critiques:
-Lack of Intersectionality: The book rarely acknowledges how race, gender, or culture impact perceptions of charisma.
-Surface-Level Engagement: Some skills risk reducing connection to a checklist rather than a holistic practice.
-Overemphasis on Likability: Could inadvertently reinforce exhausting “always on” expectations for underrepresented leaders.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) – A valuable toolkit for any leader seeking to amplify their influence, though its one-size-fits-all approach may not address the complexities faced by diverse professionals.
Thank you to Harper Collins Focus and Edelweiss for providing a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Final Thought: Maxwell’s book is a mirror and a map—it reflects the gaps in our leadership habits while charting a path to deeper connection. For women readers, its lessons are both liberating and laden with unspoken challenges, making it a conversation starter rather than a definitive guide.
July 3, 2025
I found this to be an enjoyable book by John Maxwell. When you have written more on leadership than any human in history, any book you come out with will gain attention. I'm glad to say I've met the man and have a book signed by him.
Diving in, the key to being a charismatic leader is focusing on others. Others get you where you want to go by helping them get where they want to go, when they win, you win, and we all win. Some lessons include: Inolving Others, Believing in Others, Knowing their Name and Story, Making Memories with them, Meaning your Compliments, Seeing Their Value, Seeking to Strengthen Them etc.
One of my favorite quotes is right in the beginning, "The whole population of the world—Outside of one Minor example—is composed of other people." It had a family member and I laughing for a long while. Overall, though, this is a great addition to your leadership bookshelf.
Diving in, the key to being a charismatic leader is focusing on others. Others get you where you want to go by helping them get where they want to go, when they win, you win, and we all win. Some lessons include: Inolving Others, Believing in Others, Knowing their Name and Story, Making Memories with them, Meaning your Compliments, Seeing Their Value, Seeking to Strengthen Them etc.
One of my favorite quotes is right in the beginning, "The whole population of the world—Outside of one Minor example—is composed of other people." It had a family member and I laughing for a long while. Overall, though, this is a great addition to your leadership bookshelf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2025
An Insightful and practical guide
Maxwell’s ability to give practical direction helps to empower leaders in their quest to maximize their potential and leadership lid.
This book was very useful in helping me develop my charisma with easy to follow steps which can be implemented and tested.
I am looking forward to the results of these 21 skills that I am developing and believe it would help in my growth to be a successful leader.
Maxwell’s ability to give practical direction helps to empower leaders in their quest to maximize their potential and leadership lid.
This book was very useful in helping me develop my charisma with easy to follow steps which can be implemented and tested.
I am looking forward to the results of these 21 skills that I am developing and believe it would help in my growth to be a successful leader.
November 5, 2025
GONG BANGET INI WOY 🔥🔥
Serius, ini salah satu buku leadership & personal growth terbaik yang pernah gue baca dari John C. Maxwell.
Baru 10 halaman pertama aja udah kayak wisdom slap, yang tadinya keras kepala bisa langsung mikir, “iya juga ya, gue kurang dengerin orang lain.” 😭
Maxwell punya gaya khas yang sederhana tapi ngena banget. Dia gak cuma ngomong soal bagaimana jadi pemimpin, tapi juga bagaimana jadi manusia yang bisa bikin orang lain ngerasa aman, dihargai, dan terinspirasi.
Setiap bab ngasih lo 21 skill konkret buat membangun karisma, bukan karisma yang dibuat-buat, tapi yang datang dari integritas, empati, dan keaslian diri.
Yang gue suka, dia gak nyuruh lo berubah jadi orang lain, tapi ngajarin gimana caranya memaksimalkan versi terbaik dari diri sendiri biar bisa connect ke siapa pun, di level mana pun.
Gue kali ini pelanin baca karena takut habis gak nemu buku sebagus ini lagi, karena saking serunya, tapi tetap pengen reread buat nyerap semua poinnya.
Insightful banget, realistis, dan nyentuh sisi manusiawi seorang pemimpin.
Kalau lo lagi belajar komunikasi, kepemimpinan, atau bahkan cuma pengen memperbaiki cara lo berinteraksi, ini must-read.
Serius, ini salah satu buku leadership & personal growth terbaik yang pernah gue baca dari John C. Maxwell.
Baru 10 halaman pertama aja udah kayak wisdom slap, yang tadinya keras kepala bisa langsung mikir, “iya juga ya, gue kurang dengerin orang lain.” 😭
Maxwell punya gaya khas yang sederhana tapi ngena banget. Dia gak cuma ngomong soal bagaimana jadi pemimpin, tapi juga bagaimana jadi manusia yang bisa bikin orang lain ngerasa aman, dihargai, dan terinspirasi.
Setiap bab ngasih lo 21 skill konkret buat membangun karisma, bukan karisma yang dibuat-buat, tapi yang datang dari integritas, empati, dan keaslian diri.
Yang gue suka, dia gak nyuruh lo berubah jadi orang lain, tapi ngajarin gimana caranya memaksimalkan versi terbaik dari diri sendiri biar bisa connect ke siapa pun, di level mana pun.
Gue kali ini pelanin baca karena takut habis gak nemu buku sebagus ini lagi, karena saking serunya, tapi tetap pengen reread buat nyerap semua poinnya.
Insightful banget, realistis, dan nyentuh sisi manusiawi seorang pemimpin.
Kalau lo lagi belajar komunikasi, kepemimpinan, atau bahkan cuma pengen memperbaiki cara lo berinteraksi, ini must-read.
April 11, 2025
John C. Maxwell continues to make amazing books about leadership and humanity.
July 8, 2025
(Audiobook) Another great listen by John Maxwell!
September 4, 2025
Typical Maxwell, but more organised, making the author's message simple, direct and clear.
The book can indeed be helpful for people entering a managerial career path and for middle managers.
The book can indeed be helpful for people entering a managerial career path and for middle managers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews