Book Review: The Laws of Charisma by Kurt W Mortensen

Every once in a while I run across a book that I like and recommend, but isn’t complete, lacking some essential element.  One of those books is The Laws of Charisma: How to Captivate, Inspire, and Influence for Maximum Success by Kurt W. Mortensen (AMACOM: 2010).

The problem with The Laws of Charisma isn’t its thesis—that charisma is a combination of qualities that together, according to Mortensen’s definition, create “the ability to easily build rapport, effectively influence others to your way of thinking, inspire them to achieve more, and in the process make an ally for life.”

If we accept Mortensen’s definition of charisma, then the qualities that he lays out in the book make great sense as components of charisma, and further they are all qualities that can be learned to one extent or another.  Mortensen argues that by learning to effectively and genuinely use these qualities; even the least charismatic person can become charismatic to some extent. 

I don’t have a problem with his thesis although I believe that the true and very rare quality we usually call charisma is not a quality that can be learned or created.  Consequently, I’m not sure I’d define charisma as Mortensen has.  Nevertheless, I certainly believe that the qualities he discusses, if combined, will lead to a highly influential and commanding individual—just something short of those we think of as the truly charismatic such as JFK, Ronald Reagan, Caesar, Hitler (charisma can, of course, be used by the good and the evil).

Mortensen’s book delves into 34 qualities that he argues are necessary in combination to create what his version of charisma.  These qualities vary in complexity; a few are:

Passion:  The Transfer of Pure Energy
Humor and Happiness:  It Comes from Within
Self-discipline:  Willpower Equals Commitment
Focus:  Activity Does Not Equal Accomplishment
Rapport:  The Instant Connection
Motivation: Light Their Fire
Goodwill:  Charity and Compassion
Empathy:  Compassion Creates Friendship
Verbal Presentation:  It’s How You Say It
Nonverbal Communication: Gestures Trump Words

The issue I have with the book is that it lays out the 34 essential qualities in an equal number of short 4 to 6 page chapters. 

Each chapter deals with an essential quality using a set formula:

• The chapter briefly lays out Mortensen’s argument as to why that quality is important
• discusses in a paragraph or two why we often have a blind spot about our own lack of the quality
• a very short application section that is filled with three to five bullet points about how to apply the quality
• an example of some charismatic individual whose life demonstrates the quality
•  a self-assessment section where one can rate oneself on the quality on a scale of 1 to 10

Although the chapters are brief and quick and easy to read, they really aren’t “how to” chapters.  Mortensen lays the groundwork to establish the need for the quality, but really doesn’t give the guidance on how to acquire and build the quality.  In essence, The Laws of Charisma is an excellent overall guide but needs to be supplemented with 34 other books that will give meat to the question of “how to.”

Certainly no one wouldl need to supplement with a book for each quality, but a great many of these qualities are complex in and of themselves.  Few who are lacking in any of these qualities will intuitively know how to acquire and institute them without outside help—and very often much more help than three or four bullet points can give.

That being said, The Laws of Charisma is well worth the money as a guide to assessing your own charisma or lack thereof, and then helping you figure out what’s missing.  From there, you’ll probably have to do some additional looking for resources, but at least you’ll know what you’re looking for and why.