Five Phrases Charismatic People Use to Build Rapport
Public speaking expert Vanessa Van Edwards identifies the verbal habits that make highly charismatic people more magnetic and likable in relationships.
Charisma is often treated as an innate gift — something you either have or you don't. But Vanessa Van Edwards, a public speaking expert and author who has spent years studying human behavior, argues that likability is far more learnable than most people assume. Her research points to specific verbal patterns that consistently separate magnetic communicators from everyone else.
According to Van Edwards, the language highly charismatic people choose is rarely accidental. Certain phrases signal warmth, confidence, and genuine interest in others — three qualities that listeners consistently associate with trustworthiness. When those signals are absent, even a technically polished speaker can come across as cold or transactional, no matter how impressive their credentials.
Read more Frank Founder Charlie Javice Reportedly Seeks Trump Pardon →
The broader implication here is significant for anyone navigating professional relationships, leadership roles, or high-stakes social settings. Communication researchers have long noted that nonverbal cues carry enormous weight, but Van Edwards' framework suggests that word choice functions as an underappreciated lever. Selecting the right phrase at the right moment can shift the emotional tone of an entire conversation.
What makes this approach particularly actionable is that the phrases Van Edwards highlights are simple enough to adopt immediately — they don't require a personality overhaul, just a deliberate shift in habit. That framing aligns with a growing body of behavioral science suggesting that small, consistent adjustments to interpersonal communication can compound into meaningful changes in how others perceive and respond to us over time.
For anyone looking to strengthen their presence in rooms that matter — job interviews, team meetings, networking events — the practical takeaway is clear: charisma is less about performance and more about strategic attentiveness to the people in front of you. Continue reading at CNBC.
