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Tony Blair – the demise of charisma

September 2nd 2010 by Nikki Owen | Uncategorized

During my charisma seminars at The Globe Theatre, Tony Blair’s name crops up as an example of a Prime Minister who when he first came to power was very charismatic. Given that ‘charisma’ is always on my radar I remember when Blair, who had been Prime Minister for less than three months gave an emotional announcement about the death of Princess Diana. At the time (31st August 1997) I recall noticing that there was something about Tony Blair’s ‘performance’ that lacked authenticity. It felt brilliantly acted and well-executed, particularly his line “She was the people’s princess” yet I thought he appeared to be faking the intensity of his emotion.
Yesterday, Tony Blair’s biography – A Journey: My Political Life was published revealing a well-manicured account of personal anecdotes of his political career. His betrayal of Gordon Brown, the arrogance with which he takes full credit for so many good things and the indiscretion when he talks about meeting The Queen – literally took my breath away! When he first became Prime Minister his vision for this country and his passion for doing the best for the people was like a breath of fresh air.
Today his vision is masked by naked ambition to earn as much money as he can. His well-crafted ‘excuses’ around Iraq hold the potential for being plausible yet this man is totally delusional – his ego has over-taken his humility. Whilst he is still a confident, articulate communicator, he fails to speak from his heart and today has lost the charismatic presence that won him Britain’s top job.

Tony Blair's Biography

“Walking through the door of the Globe theatre to attend “ An Audience With Charisma” I must say I had to take a deep breath as I was slightly apprehensive about what was going to come. The programme came along to find me at a time when I was going through an extended notice period before redundancy and going through that with an unclear future was troubling me. Various other worries seemed to be walking around with me, and I certainly didn’t feel “Charismatic”. I was however very happy to have the opportunity of attending the session and I was happy to go along with whatever was put in front of me. All I knew was that Nikki with great charm laughingly said it could be a bit “Out there” !
The first hurdle of meeting my fellow delegates was surprisingly easy – We had a really great cohort right from the get go and I very much am hoping to retain contact with as many of them as possible.
The first few minutes of the session were truly mesmerising, a powerful demonstration of Nikki’s own personal Charisma. Following that we led through various tasks and activities, that seemed to me were designed to leave you each time a little bit more exposed but in a very safe way all so leading you to be able to trust fellow delegates a little bit more each time.
At times I reflected that the experience wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste, but then that prompted the thought that someone who was sceptical about the experience but did it anyway would have their bravery reflected in some really strong outcomes.

People’s progress was monitored constantly and in many different measures – from an online Charisma test taken before and after the programme to photos being taken constantly through the day – the evidence of change is literally before your eyes.
As Nikki purports you don’t have to believe in all this to make it work. Astonishingly this seemed to be true. I might have initially been surprised about some of the tools used, such as dowsing rods and crystals, but ultimately they were just tools to demonstrate the power of your subconscious thought, and its power cannot be denied.

I had some genuinely profound moments including the lasting sense was of moving on and putting some troubles behind me, which was what one of the exercises in particular was designed to do. This was a very peaceful experience and I would wish everyone that attends the programme to have a similar sensation, although obviously everyone’s experience will be unique. A word that was used repeatedly was “authentic”.

Nikki is supported by a wonderful team through the session, Les ¸mark and Paul who all bring different qualities and skills with them and each of them support the delegates in their own unique way.

Long term effect – the question I keep asking myself is about the long term effect and has it had any? I would say that yes ultimately it has. I think that if I spending time reflecting on the experience multiplies the effect further. The principles however are instilled straight away. The thought I keep having is “If you suspend your disbelief and think that this all could be true, what else might be true? What possibilities are there?” and that thought alone is transformational.

I am now clear and confident about how I would like my future to look like and feel clear about my motivations and reasons for that, and it is a great feeling. I am also confident in my abilities to achieve this. It is an exciting feeling!”

Watching Big Brother is watching a microcosm of society where human flaws are exposed and the viewer can become absorbed in the mundane living of housemates where every little nuance is emotionally loaded with tension and expectation. Energetic flow builds presence and impact so for me watching this programme is a powerful reminder of the impact self-esteem, confidence and genuine interest in others plays in either stimulating or draining energy from the house.
The basic unit of all life, the cell, exists only because it is held together by energy. The atoms and molecules that make up a cell also exist because their various parts are held together by bonds of energy. Energy is the force that moves things, because it contains the information that tells systems how to move. If you expose energetic systems (people) to negative information you impair their ability to move. Alternatively, if you expose people to a positive environment this stimulates the flow of energy inside and around them that creates an invisible aura of good vibrations.
Your energy is a great indicator of your emotional thoughts and is a life-force that many people are unconsciously aware of yet with more conscious awareness you can build higher levels of satisfaction in every area of your life.
May the force be with you, this week!

The next big charisma experiment!

August 5th 2010 by Nikki Owen | Uncategorized

According to personal development guru, Brian Tracy, there is a close association between personal charisma and success in life. Probably 85 per cent of your success and happiness will come from your relationships and interactions with others. The more positively others respond to you, the easier it will be for you to get the things you want. That’s why I’ve created another cutting-edge experiment that anyone can do at home to validate the importance of charisma. Many of you are familiar and have participated in my Big Apple Experiment that created masses of controversial feedback. This new experiment builds on the same principles yet highlights the visible and tangible impact of ‘charisma’ vs ‘non charisma’
I hope all is well in your world and remember your views and comments are always welcome!

Since my official political commentary role in April and May this year I have been following news regarding government strategy – particularly in relation to proposed public spending cuts. A review panel set up by the Scottish Government details a number of different options, one of which includes axing 60,000 jobs! Scary times for employees as they embark on the lottery of ‘will I or won’t I be safe?’ and even for employees remaining in their jobs how do they handle an increasing workload? Every manager working within the public sector should familiarise themselves with the research on employee engagement and its relevance to productivity. That’s why managers working through this turbulent economic period need to exhibit an inspiring presence that captivates the engagement of their staff. Charisma is not a skill, it is an attribute that everyone possesses yet many people block their ability to shine by erecting invisible walls of protection around themselves. As the government tightens its belt, the public reaction breeds a fear that cloaks our personal presence. Yet it is this presence that has the potential power to transform the world around us. £42bn cutbacks in 16 years……what if this provides the catalyst for transformational ways of working?
Have a great weekend.

The Old Bailey revisited

July 27th 2010 by Nikki Owen | Uncategorized

After 32 years I revisited The Old Bailey court today, a place of huge personal significance. On 22nd December 1978 I witnessed a case that made legal history and experienced the powerful charismatic presence of the barrister, Mr Addezio. On the steps of The Old Bailey at the age of eighteen I pledged to discover whether charisma can be developed or whether it is something you are born with. Mr Addezio, you may not remember me yet I will always remember you and my lifelong quest inspired by your performance in Court that day.
One man has made a big difference to my life – one moment was all it took to make a monumental decision that transformed my life forever.

Couldn’t resist getting a few photos taken of me outside The Old Bailey today!

Revisiting The Old Bailey

July 27th 2010 by Nikki Owen | Uncategorized

After 32 years I revisited The Old Bailey court today, a place of huge personal significance. On 22nd December 1978 I witnessed a case that made legal history and experienced the powerful charismatic presence of the barrister, Mr Addezio. On the steps of The Old Bailey at the age of eighteen I pledged to discover whether charisma can be developed or whether it is something you are born with. Mr Addezio, you may not remember me yet I will always remember you and my lifelong quest inspired by your performance in Court that day.
One man has made a big difference to my life – one moment was all it took to make a monumental decision that transformed my life forever.
Couldn’t resist getting a few photos taken of me outside The Old Bailey today!

What have you done with it Obama?

July 22nd 2010 by Nikki Owen | Uncategorized

Watching the entire speech of President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron at The Whitehouse on 20th July I was taken aback with Obama’s matter-of-fact voice tonality and a general absence of passion and fire. What have you done with your Charisma Mr President? You are one of my frequently referred to charismatic icons and I urge you to re-connect with your heart and allow what you say to resonate through you. Gravitas – 10/10 and when stood side-by-side with David Cameron, Obama looks relaxed, confident and in control.

Capita Learning & Development launched their own ‘Have you got it?’ email campaign today regarding my Audience with Charisma seminar – our unique partnership has begun and I looking forward to helping them in our joint quest to transform organisational leadership into transformational leadership that holds the potential to create positive change during this period of economic uncertainty.
Charisma is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ skill it is an absolute essential ingredient for double-digit growth.
Have you got it?

Last Thursday and Friday I ran our charisma seminar at Hotel du Vin in Harrogate with a remarkable bunch of people. Typically, people arrive wearing their corporate masks and as the event unfolds I get to meet the real people. Driving home afterwards on Saturday I found myself reflecting on the reasons why organisations want to develop the charismatic potential of their workforce. Did you know:
- Companies achieving double-digit growth have an average 63% of their workforce fully-engaged and the quickest way to build engagement is through charismatic leadership?
- Charismatic leaders transform the needs, values, preferences and asirations of employees from self-interests to collective interests?
- Charisma is one of 4 components required for Transformational Leadership – required for under-performing companies and those undergoing major change?

For an individual, allowing their charismatic potential to flourish will attract higher levels of success, better relationships and more confidence. One of last week’s delegates described their newly acquired presence ‘like coming home – it’s the way I’ve always wanted to feel’.
Enjoy your week!

The Power of Confidence

July 13th 2010 by Nikki Owen | Uncategorized

If I could grant one wish to everyone I would gift an infinite supply of pure unadulterated confidence. Confident people appear to sail effortlessly through their lives attracting fabulous friendships, interesting hobbies and a satisfying career. Numerous studies prove that confident people are happier, healthier and achieve higher levels of success compared to their less confident peers. Yet is confidence something you are born with or can it be developed?
Having been a painfully shy child and teenager I have devoted the last two decades to researching the quickest and most effective ways to develop confidence, self-esteem and charisma. Here are my favourite suggestions that can turbo-charge your own confidence in just seven days:

1. Ask 5 people you like to identify 3 qualities they admire about you most. Write each quality onto a separate piece of paper and store these inside a box. Decorate this box with beautiful photographs of flowers. Every morning, within a hour of waking take a few moments to read each of your ‘quality cards’ and you’ll instantly feel a warm glow as your self-esteem receives a powerful boost.
2. Look in the mirror and say, “I am confident” to yourself ten times. Simultaneously thump you chest lightly – this integrates the words into your neurology enabling your confidence to increase both consciously and unconsciously.
3. Think of a time, a specific time when you felt really confident. Notice whereabouts in your body you feel this confidence and flow this feeling into ever increasing circles until you begin to laugh out loud. Whenever you want an instant surge of confidence simply recall how you created confidence before within your body and repeat the circular movement.
4. You become what you think about so pay attention to your thoughts and inner dialogue. Notice how many times you have a negative thought and how many times you have a positive thought. When your positive thoughts outnumber your negative thoughts your confidence increases.

Above all, be yourself because when you are authentic and genuine you naturally increase your energy and confidence. You are creating it all and accepting responsibility for what you are creating in your life will empower and ignite your potential.