Charisma is the ability to attract people to oneself. It is a type of charm that can be seen in someone’s personality. American Family Martial Arts instructors have a LOT of natural charisma as they teach their students to learn the material! The ability to inspire others is an important characteristic for leaders. Charismatic leaders are able to build trust with their followers and motivate them to do better work. They use their communication skills, which are often enhanced by charisma, to make speeches or presentations that engage the audience’s emotions and make them feel like they are part of something 
bigger than themselves.
The importance of charisma in communication can not be understated. It is important for leaders, politicians, salespeople and public speakers because it helps them to persuade people to do what they want them to do. It can be important even for children as they grow up and navigate school life. Everything from becoming a class officer to convincing a university to accept them.
Charisma is a personality trait that can be defined as the ability to attract, charm and influence others. It is a powerful force of attraction that can help people achieve their goals and live a happier life. The importance of charisma can be seen in many different aspects of life.
Charisma has been found to be one of the most important factors in leadership effectiveness studies conducted by Dr. John Antonakis and his colleagues at HEC Montreal.
So charisma is one of those things that is hard to define but “I know it when I see it.” Here at American Family Martial Arts we teach our students age 3-14, this important life skill during our daily mat chats. One of the ways students use their charisma is during public speaking. AFMA teaches students to smile, have enthusiasm and know what you are talking about. Our students get real world experience at public speaking by discussing the life skills during mat chats and sometimes giving a presentation.
For our Extreme students, ages 10-14, American Family Martial Arts instructors give them a “quiz”
What is the best way to speak in front of a group?
A) to look everyone in the eyes as you speak and smile as much as possible?
B) to look at the ground and avoid eye contact as much as possible?
What is the best way to have a conversation with others?
A) to be a good listener and show care and consideration for what the other person is saying? 
B) to interrupt them when you want to say something?
What is the best way to compliment others?
A) to quickly find something nice to say that you say to everyone?
B) to take a little extra time to find something special and unique about the person you are extending a compliment to?
With this last one, instructors actually demonstrate by highlighting something unique about a student.
American Family Martial Arts instructors give our Core students, ages 7-9, some thinking prompts:
Is this having charisma?
*You care more about yourself and you don’t really care how other people are doing?
*You show others respect by opening doors, saying “please” & “thank you” ?
*You avoid picking on others even when your friends do so?
*You give people sincere compliments when they do something nice?
The American Family Martial Arts instructors then suggest they go home and practice having charisma that week. That includes thinking about people’s feelings and trying to give plenty of compliments. The following week, instructors follow up with the students and ask how they did.
During the mat chat for our Little Ninjas, ages 5 & 6, the American Family Martial Arts instructors talk about the definition of charisma and ask some simple questions.
True or not true?
When you are speaking to others, you always look them in the eyes?
When you see someone smiling at you, you always smile back?
When you play with your friends, you always make sure they have a turn to pick a game?
When you spend time with your family, you always ask them how their day was and you listen to what they say?
With our Tiny Tigers, ages 3 & 4, they are still learning regular vocabulary, so American Family Martial Arts instructors, define the word for them and give them some examples.
The mat chat goes something like this:
Charisma means you can make other people smile and you are not afraid of others. Our instructors do know that being “shy” is age appropriate at this age and don’t emphasize not being afraid of others.
The instructors at AFMA then give a few tips on having charisma:
*when you meet someone new, say HELLO!
*when you are talking to other people, smile a lot
*when you are angry or sad, never hit or call someone else a name just to make THEM angry or sad.
*tell your friends that you like them often
*give your family lots of big hugs each day
There is a simple fact in human nature that states we all want to be liked. Charisma is all about relationships and how people regard you. The best part is: charisma can definitely be developed. Anyone can add more to his or her personality – and being charismatic has a lot of advantages. This includes, but is not limited to, being chosen as a leader of a group. At American Family Martial Arts, not only do we teach punching and kicking, we teach life skills!