Have you ever walked into a room and met someone who instantaneously makes you feel like an old pal, even though you've just met?
Or ever chatted with someone who listens intently and makes you believe like you are the most important human being on the planet?
You may have observed that these charismatic people seem to just glide through any situation with an air of calm confidence and grace. Everyone wishes to be their pal.

So what is it that sets these people apart from the rest of us poor mortals? What traits do they have in common? Are some people simply born with charismatic abilities or can they be learnt?

Charisma refers to a rare trait found in certain human personalities usually including great charm and a 'magnetic' quality of personality and/or appearance along with a commanding capacity to communicate persuasively.

A person with a magnetic personality makes everyone he or she interacts with feel empowered or validated. The positive energy and the selfless interest in the other party makes someone with a magnetic personality very well-liked indeed.

Charismatic individuals commonly project unusual calmness, self-confidence, assertiveness, supremacy, authenticity, and focus, and almost always possess superior communication and/or oratorical talent.

Here is a list of the most common traits found in charismatic people.

Universal Traits:
Open body posture, hands away from face when talking, stands up straight, relaxed, hands apart with palms forward or upwards

When addressing an individual:
Letting people understand they matter and you enjoy being around them, cultivate a sincere smile, nod in agreement when they talk, briefly touch them on the upper arm, and maintain eye contact

When addressing a group:
Is comfortable as leader, move around to appear enthusiastic, lean slightly forward and look at all parts of the group

Delivering the message:
Moves ahead of status quo and make a difference, be controversial, novel, simple to understand, counter-intuitive

Verbal communication:
Being clear, fluent, forceful and articulate, evoking imagery, using an positive tempo, occasionally slow for tension or emphasis.

How can we use this in our personal lives?
IE. Praising your partner... you’re so clever... and praising/supporting those around you, "I am so proud of you".

Offering to lend a hand out or pitch-in. “Sure I can help”...

Give out to get back 10 fold.

Research has shown that people often don’t stray outside a marriage or have affairs because someone else has made them feel great about themselves. Compliment, praise and make your partner feel great about themself, whenever the opportunity arises. Chances are very good that they’ll catch on to your drift and the compliments will come your way too!

So how can you boost your magnetism?
Be ready to engage. When you turn up at a party, event or anyplace conversations will take place, prepare yourself before you arrive. Be prepared with conversation topics, questions and stories in the back of your mind as soon as you meet someone. This will help you sidestep awkward small talk.

Focus on common point of interest. It's an key factor in every conversation and interaction. Your task, as you meet new people, or even as you talk with those you already know, is to discover the common point of interest as quickly as possible. It aids create a bond between you and others. It increases your approachability and enables them to feel more comfortable talking with you.

Add some enthusiasm to your answers. You've heard lots of ineffective questions in your interactions, questions like "How's it going?" "What's up?" or "How are you?" When such questions come up, do not fall into the trap of responding, "Okay." Instead offer a flavoured reply: "Fantastic!" "Any better, and I'd be twins!" or "Everything is magnificent." The other person will instantly change his or her demeanour, smile and, most of the time, inquire what made you answer that way. Why? Because nobody expects it. Not only that, but offering a real reply to magnify the way you feel is a perfect way to share yourself or make yourself personally accessible to others.

Do not cross your arms. Even if you're cold, bored, weary or just do not want to be there, don't cross your arms. It makes you appear defensive, tense, negative, close-minded or sceptical. It's a simple, subconscious, nonverbal cue that says, "Stay away." People see crossed arms, and they drift away. They don't want to trouble you. You're not approachable.

Be Genuine. Nothing is more attractive than being real. Genuineness creates a unbreakable emotional bond. Being real allows for trusting and lasting relationships.