I have a theory that charisma arises from authenticity. When a writer has found his voice, when a singer has discovered her style, they have power. We feel it. It draws us to them. Why? Because we want it too. We want to be ourselves they way they are themselves. One of the reasons wild animals are so compelling is that they are entirely themselves. They can't be otherwise.
I am repelled by the Corporate Voice. It's the voice of many who use Social Media today who have co-opted the tools and still set out to manipulate. Who are so obviously Narcissistic - pretending to have concern for me but in truth being concerned only about themselves.
Steven Pressfield writes weekly on the life of an artist - he also writes some of the best fiction of our time. What makes his books so engaging is his voice. His characters appeal to me because they are rooted in truth.
Voice is the key to engagement I think. Not only the voice on the page but the actual voice. I am acutely aware of the spoken corporate voice now. At a weedy level it would be the CBC Promo Guy - endlessly upbeat and plastic. At a sales level it would be that self important head voice that has undertones of I am so smart and you aren't. At an executive level its that rounded modulated tone that tells you that he is not really listening to you but travelling to other more important places than the space you are in right now.
It's all about them.
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