Time for another edition of Monday MBA Resource, where we share the things we are reading, watching, and listening to that might be helpful to people in the MBA community.
Some are more focused on applicants, others are better for students, some for both - but all of them offer great insights that are worth soaking up. Two weeks we broke down the Knowledge @Wharton podcast and people seem to really be enjoying it. Last week it was one of my favorite articles in years: "Happy Ambition: Striving for Success, Avoiding Status Cocaine, and Prioritizing Happiness" by Ben Casnocha. Let's hope we can keep it up with this next entry, which is the book:
THE CHARISMA MYTH: HOW ANYONE CAN MASTER THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PERSONAL MAGNETISM by Olivia Fox Cabene.
WHO WROTE IT:
Olivia Fox Cabene is an executive coach to Fortune 500 CEOs, a lecturer, and a writer. She is an expert at teaching crucial, next-level behaviors to people in powerful positions. She uses strong behavioral science principles, but also draws from her diverse background - she has dual citizenship (American and French) and speaks four languages.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT:
From her website, which sums it up quite well:
"For the first time, science and technology have taken charisma apart, figured it out and turned it into an applied science: In controlled laboratory experiments, researchers could raise or lower people's level of charisma as if they were turning a dial.
What you'll find here is practical magic: unique knowledge, drawn from a variety of sciences, revealing what charisma really is and how it works. You'll get both the insights and the techniques you need to apply this knowledge. The world will become your lab, and every person you meet, a chance to experiment."
WHO IT BENEFITS:
Honestly, as with last week, I think this one is for everyone. Not only does this book actually work in the intended way - boosting levels of personal magnetism - but it also has a way of helping reframe life around us. I know for me, reading this book helped me a great deal in being more present ("be where your feet are" is how I heard one baseball manager put it), slowing down to appreciate life as its happening, and to cut my "staring at screens" technology addiction. And make no mistake: this book really does help you ramp up your own level of charisma. For MBA applicants, students, and alumni members, that is huge. How you come off to people - how much power your project and how much you own the space, jump off the page, create a spark, etc. (pick your cliche) - makes a huge difference. I have been recommending this book for several years running to my clients as "long game" interview prep, because I think it can help transform the way people present in that setting. But really, truly, this is a great book for everyone.
IF YOU WANT A TEASER:
Not convinced? Not a big book fan? At least listen to this podcast episode.
If you are looking help with your applications, please email us at mba@amerasiaconsulting.com. We have seen what the competition is doing and we can say without a doubt that we go deeper, more strategic, and generate better results with our methods. Line up a call and find out for yourself.
