In our first article on Charisma, we explored the origin of the word (and how ancient Greece is awesome) and delved into what it means to have this very useful trait. More specifically, we looked at how it can help you reach your objectives.
Since Freedom Martial Arts is serious about its role in child development and self defense, you can expect our focus to include charisma as a useful characteristic!
Since the word can take on several interpretations, let’s be clear on what we mean by “charisma”, especially when it comes to kids.
Let’s dispense with myths suggesting that charisma will only land kids in the principal’s office. When taught with virtue, it will place them in positions of influence. Being charismatic can be bad or good. For example, it can be confident or arrogant. Likewise, it can mean influential, likable, or manipulative. As these differences reveal, charisma is flexible enough to be used in many different ways. But, we’re interested in the good part of charisma. After all, we’re talking about OUR KIDS. By that, we’re talking about the world’s future leaders, heroes, astronauts, artisans, builders, and intellectuals. Our expectations are that they will be fighters. They will fight (and sometimes lead others) for all the right reasons.
That said, we’re left asking how charisma can be taught with virtue. Following a similar theme from our character development word for January (optimism), we can look at the development of charisma as a recipe.
Most, if not all of the ingredients are readily available. In the same way you search a packed refrigerator at home, it may take a little work to find them. When combined in the right environment, they can help a child cope with adverse situations, like test preparation on a difficult subject, or even bullying. Here are three main ingredients on which to focus:
- Expressiveness, or the ability to express emotions to others: There are all kinds of things preventing people from this simple but vitally important task. Learning to cope, clearing your head, and putting these thoughts together when you’re young is a huge benefit.
- Sensitivity, or the ability to read emotional cues of others: The spoken word isn’t the only way we communicate. Reading facial expressions and other cues can help mitigate confrontation in one’s family. It can preserve harmony among one’s circle of friends and even alert one to a pending threat. These kinds of situations can be experienced at a very young age.
- Control, or the ability to regulate emotional expressions. If overreacting is a liability during conflict, control is an asset. Keeping your wits about you allows you to approach problems logically and rationally.
Explore ways in which charisma can enhance the quality of life within your family. Introduce your kids to the “recipe” which can lead to healthy friendships and harmony among their loved ones.