Can Soft Skills, Like Charisma, Be Learned? Work in Sports Podcast e135 - a podcast by Brian Clapp - Work in Sports

Soft skills are so important for getting jobs in the sports industry... but can they be learned? Can you develop attributes like confidence and charisma? Listen in, because we're going to talk about it!Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast.Quick housekeeping note – I didn’t publish an expert interview last week for the first time in over a year! It was Thanksgiving and when I published an episode on the day before Thanksgiving last year…it bombed, and it was kind of a wasted effort.So you know what… I didn’t publish one this year, and I’m totally OK with that. I also ate a lot of stuffing… but as a vegetarian there was no turkey. Actually, I take that back, my brother in law came over and brought a 20 lb turkey all for himself.No he didn’t eat the whole thing… I’m guessing he still has leftovers a week later.Anyway, before I get any further off track – since there was no expert last week, this week is Indiana Pacers Community Relations Coordinator Kristina Wedseltoft – it’s a great interview I think you will all like very much!As for today – I had a question come in that really challenged me, which I love. Here goes:From Nathaniel in Michigan,Hi Brian, thank you for the podcast, your effort is greatly appreciated. I have a question I’d love for you to dig into for the podcast. You’ve talked many times before about getting the interview means you’ve already passed the “skills test” and that during the interview is about your soft skills, like charisma and cultural fit. Well, I am the living proof you are correct in your assessment.I have the skills needed for the industry, and I keep getting interviews, but I can’t close the deal. I am an introvert, and so much of it stems from my lack of charisma. I just don’t have that swagger that I see exuding from others. I know I don’t have this element, so I retreat mentally into my corner.My question is two-fold – Is charisma something you can develop and learn. And how can an introvert get a job in the sports industry? Wow. This is a big one Nathaniel, and I really thank you for asking it. It takes a lot of courage to admit and acknowledge your weaknesses, but it’s also the first step in fixing the problem.Let’s talk about charisma first – it is really just a person with compelling attractiveness. Everyone is naturally drawn into this person. But I think the idea gets overused. There just aren’t that many people who are truly charismatic. Many people think they are – you know that guy right, the one who thinks he’s ruling the conversation and wooing the crowd, all his jokes are hitting, but in reality everyone is thinking to themselves, “Oh my god will someone shut this guy up”.To be truly charismatic, I believe, starts with intentional listening and engaging where appropriate -- anyone can do that.Charisma isn’t about trying to be the loudest voice or get the most laughs… it’s about making the other people around you feel special. We’ve been around people who talk about themselves a lot, their experience, they accomplishments, their successes – this is not being charismatic.We’ve also been around people who listen with eye contact, ask smart follow up questions, are present in the moment, share their own experiences where relevant. That’s being likeable, that’s being connected to the moment --- that’s being charismaticIt’s about presence. Presence is all about being truly engaged with others, showing the other person that they have your complete attention. Ok ,so how do you take action with this concept of presence – since I’m all about actionable advice - How do you develop presence:* Pay attention to every word that comes out of someone else's mouth.* I read this suggestion once and it stuck with me - Imagine you're watching a movie or...

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