From the Inside Flap
It’s breathtaking to watch someone with charisma enter a room. The sound of their voice and their mere presence seem to have a captivating effect on everyone around them. It’s as if an invisible field of energy surrounds them, mesmerizing others like a magical spell.Your career, your relationships, and your income are all related to your ability to radiate this mysterious trait. But what is charisma? Is it something with which only a lucky charismatic few are born? Or is it something that can be learned?
Much more than simply charm, likability, presence, or passion, charisma allows you to build rapport instantly, inspire others, and influence them to your way of thinking, all while putting them at ease. In The Laws of Charisma, Kurt W. Mortensen, one of America’s leading authorities on persuasion and influence, reveals the specific skills, traits, and attributes associated with charisma that you can learn, develop, and master.
Filled with practical, powerful tools, exercises, and assessments, The Laws of Charisma enables you to:
• Get others to believe in you, trust you, and want to be influenced by you.
• Emanate energy, conviction, and assurance.
• Energize everyone around you with your enthusiasm, passion, and expectations.
• Learn the eye contact and listening skills that will enable you to communicate effectively without speaking.
• Leverage self-discipline and willpower to get what you want effortlessly while riding a wave of goodwill.
• Gain people’s trust by creating powerful images through storytelling.
• Win contagious cooperation from even the unlikeliest of allies.
• Get others to not only want to do what you want them to do…but beg you to do it, like doing it, and tell all their friends that they should be doing it too!
Each chapter of The Laws of Charisma presents one of the thirty critical skills or traits essential to this enigmatic and powerful characteristic so often associated with those who are successful, well liked, and happy. The book provides both current and historical examples of how each component can be and has been used, how you can apply each one in your own life in any circumstance, and common blunders to watch out for. Mortensen also provides quotes that offer insight on each area of charisma, and in each chapter supplies you with a special Charisma Key that gives you something concrete that you can do and apply right away.
We all know charismatic people. They command our attention and we hang on their every word. Just meeting them makes us feel better. Imagine your success in life once you develop the ability to ride that same wave of positivity, momentum, and goodwill. The Laws of Charisma will give you the practical guidance, wisdom, and confidence to transform yourself and your entire life.
KURT W. MORTENSEN is one of America’s leading authorities on persuasion, motivation, and influence. A highly sought-after consultant, trainer, seminar leader, and speaker, he is the author of Maximum Influence and Persuasion IQ. He can be found online at www.lawsofcharisma.com and www.kurtmortensen.com.
From the Back Cover
Charisma is the key that will unlock the door to improved relationships, greater income, and enhanced success in every area of your life. Focusing on the four core elements of this powerful (and often misunderstood) quality—The Laws of Charisma shows you how to:
• Radiate confidence, passion, power, and optimism
• Combine purpose, creativity, competence, and focus to inspire commitment
• Influence others by sharpening your communication skills
• Create the kind of instant rapport that will persuade and empower anyone.
Filled with easy-to-apply practical guidance, helpful self-assessment tools, and encouragement throughout, this book gives you everything you need to bring out the enviably charismatic person that you’ve always had within you.
Praise for Previous Books by Kurt W. Mortensen
Persuasion IQ: The 10 Skills You Need to Get Exactly What You Want
“Simultaneously useful and entertaining, this book is a thought-provoking examination into developing a vital talent.” — Publishers Weekly
“Kurt Mortensen’s book Persuasion IQ [is] a terrific read and a sure-fire way to improve and enhance your powers of persuasion. This easy-to-read book reveals how you can change minds, influence others, and reach your ultimate goals!” — Larry King, host of CNN’s Larry King Live!
“As an entrepreneur, my business relies on the skills learned from Kurt Mortensen in his bestselling book, Maximum Influence. In his new book, Persuasion IQ, Kurt has hit another grand slam! His ‘10 obstacles that limit your persuasion success’ alone will be invaluable to your personal and business success.” — G. William Barnett II, author of the bestselling book Are You Dumb Enough to Be Rich?
“I am one of Kurt Mortensen’s biggest fans and love all his teachings! His new book Persuasion IQ is brilliant and a must-read for success! Everyone is in sales, and Persuasion IQ really gives people the tools and skills to cultivate their natural abilities to be better communicators, salespeople, managers, and entrepreneurs. I have studied persuasion a long time and I think that Kurt Mortensen is the best of the best! — Lee Milteer, Millionaire Smarts™ Coach, author of Success Is an Inside Job
Maximum Influence: The 12 Universal Laws of Power Persuasion
“The most complete work on persuasion and influence I have ever read.” — Robert G. Allen, author of Nothing Down and Multiple Streams of Income
“A powerful tool for those in sales, for those wishing to influence a boss, or for those wanting others to ‘do different.’” — The Roanoke Times
About the Author
KURT W. MORTENSEN is a leading authority on persuasion, negotiation, and influence. He offers his speaking, training, and consulting programs nationwide, helping thousands achieve unprecedented success in business and personal endeavors. He is the author of Persuasion IQ and The Laws of Charisma.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION
FABLE: THE ANGRY BEE
After a long brutal winter, it finally happens—a beautiful warm
spring day. You go outside and feel the warmth of the sun on your
face and your body, and you take a whiff of the fresh air. You decide
you are done with winter and want to let the warm spring air into
your home. You open all the doors and all the windows. You feel
the fresh air rush in and revitalize and renew your home. Warm air
isn’t the only thing rushing into your home; you hear the buzz of
an insect. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a bee flying around
your home. The bee seems so helpless that you decide to help. You
want to show the bee the way to freedom. The bee keeps slamming
into and bouncing off the large pane window in your living room.
You open up the front screen door and try to direct the bee with
your hands to safety and security. The more you try, the more irritated
the bee gets. You’re puzzled at the bee’s anger. You think to
yourself, ‘‘I’m only trying to save the bee’s life.’’ You finally try to
direct the bee from the window to the open door by using your
whole body. The bee gets angry and stings you on the arm.
MEANING
In life as you attempt to serve others, lead others, or influence others
to do things that will help them grow, improve themselves, or
change their lives, you are attacked, criticized, or even ‘‘stung.’’
What happens? What goes wrong, and why do others sometimes
refuse your help? Why do they reject your leadership or refuse to
be influenced by you? You have their best interest in mind. We
know their refusal hurts them more than it hurts you. We say it is
their fault, they should be smarter—but it is our fault.
How do you get others to want to do what you want them to do
and be excited to do it? Let’s find out and master the power of charisma,
leadership, and influence.
