http://www.myglobalcareer.com/archives/2008/07/29/charisma-impaired-now-theres-a-cure/ Advancing your career in the global economy. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:05:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://www.myglobalcareer.com/wp-content/themes/myglobalcareer/_media/_global/logo.gif http://www.myglobalcareer.com http://www.myglobalcareer.com/archives/2008/07/29/charisma-impaired-now-theres-a-cure/#comment-380 Ron Lamb Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:40:10 +0000 http://www.myglobalcareer.com/archives/2007/04/16/charisma-impaired-now-theres-a-cure/#comment-380 Here's a couple of other thoughts on charisma in foreign countries. While it's great to keep the spotlight on the other person, there's also great value in keeping the spotlight on their country and culture. That means showing an informed interest in what's going on at that moment in their country. The first thing I do before making a call to an international client is to look at an online newspaper for their country. Almost all countries have english language versions. Have some sense of their history, but more importantly some idea of what is going on politically and culturally, and in the sporting world in their country. If their country is in the middle of a major soccer (football) tournament, and you don't know about it, you'd seem like a fish out of water. It doesn't matter so much if you don't know anything about their sport, but to acknowledge their excitement and focus, will always win charisma points. If you're travelling to another country, read their paper on the airplane (there are lots of pictures if you don't know the language). Otherwise pick up a newspaper at the airport for the ride into the city and ask the driver about what you see in the paper. Most taxi drivers speak rudimentary english, so you may even find it an enjoyable conversation. You may even be able to get a more localized point of view about whatever the your country has been up to as per their local paper. The interpretation of however the your country is portrayed may not be how you understand the situation, but it will give you a greater insight/ context to any other conversations you may have. I've worked or lived in over 45 countries and still look on my conversations with taxi drivers as among the most interesting. They have no reason to be filter their feelings about any subject, local or about your country. It is important if you're sincere about wanting to gain insights to not put your point of view into play during these taxi talks. Otherwise you may find all you're doing is arguing about whether your perspective or their's is the more correct one. Ask questions, and follow up with ones like, "Why would they think that?" or "Why did that happen?". What do you think they'll do next?" You'll be more informed and when you talk to your colleagues they'll see that you're actually interested in not just them, but their country what makes them proud. You'll find that charisma is also based on showing interest in what people are proud of. Most people are very proud of their country. Sometimes in some countries, there is a mistaken sense that talking about pride in your country requires making a comparison to other countries. "At least we're not like xxxxxland, because we are free to yyyyy". Understand that all countries, like individuals are proud of something. Your ability to tap into that pride whether individual or national is essential to charisma. Here’s a couple of other thoughts on charisma in foreign countries. While it’s great to keep the spotlight on the other person, there’s also great value in keeping the spotlight on their country and culture. That means showing an informed interest in what’s going on at that moment in their country. The first thing I do before making a call to an international client is to look at an online newspaper for their country. Almost all countries have english language versions. Have some sense of their history, but more importantly some idea of what is going on politically and culturally, and in the sporting world in their country. If their country is in the middle of a major soccer (football) tournament, and you don’t know about it, you’d seem like a fish out of water. It doesn’t matter so much if you don’t know anything about their sport, but to acknowledge their excitement and focus, will always win charisma points.
If you’re travelling to another country, read their paper on the airplane (there are lots of pictures if you don’t know the language). Otherwise pick up a newspaper at the airport for the ride into the city and ask the driver about what you see in the paper. Most taxi drivers speak rudimentary english, so you may even find it an enjoyable conversation. You may even be able to get a more localized point of view about whatever the your country has been up to as per their local paper. The interpretation of however the your country is portrayed may not be how you understand the situation, but it will give you a greater insight/ context to any other conversations you may have. I’ve worked or lived in over 45 countries and still look on my conversations with taxi drivers as among the most interesting. They have no reason to be filter their feelings about any subject, local or about your country.
It is important if you’re sincere about wanting to gain insights to not put your point of view into play during these taxi talks. Otherwise you may find all you’re doing is arguing about whether your perspective or their’s is the more correct one. Ask questions, and follow up with ones like, “Why would they think that?” or “Why did that happen?”. What do you think they’ll do next?”
You’ll be more informed and when you talk to your colleagues they’ll see that you’re actually interested in not just them, but their country what makes them proud. You’ll find that charisma is also based on showing interest in what people are proud of. Most people are very proud of their country. Sometimes in some countries, there is a mistaken sense that talking about pride in your country requires making a comparison to other countries. “At least we’re not like xxxxxland, because we are free to yyyyy”. Understand that all countries, like individuals are proud of something. Your ability to tap into that pride whether individual or national is essential to charisma.

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