The Charismatic Leader

Brett McDermott
  • 5.0 (51)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Charisma is the difference between being heard and being followed. In The Charismatic Leader, Brett McDermott unpacks the skills, strategies, and stories behind Confidence, Connection and Real Influence. Through solo episodes and interviews with world-class leaders, performers and communication experts, you’ll learn how to inspire loyalty, communicate with impact, and become the leader people show up for.

  1. 5D AGO

    #156 - Why Being Fully Present is a Leadership Superpower

    Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott explores why presence—not performance—is the most underrated form of charisma. People don’t remember every word you say, but they never forget how it felt to be around you. And nothing creates trust, connection, and influence more than making others feel fully seen. Brett breaks down why availability is the true signal of leadership, how silence and stillness project confidence, and why multitasking erodes trust. You’ll learn practical tools like the one‑breath pause, physical signals that convey calm authority, and simple presence practices that transform everyday conversations into moments of influence. Key Takeaways Presence is about availability, not impressivenessA single breath before responding prevents interruption and builds authorityPhysical signals—stillness, posture, steady eye contact—instantly increase presenceSilence projects confidence and makes conversations more effectivePresence feels rare in a distracted world, which is why it builds trust

    7 min
  2. #155 - How Leaders Can Tell More Effective Stories with Sarah Elkins

    JAN 22

    #155 - How Leaders Can Tell More Effective Stories with Sarah Elkins

    Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Sarah Elkins, workplace storytelling expert, Gallup‑certified StrengthsFinder coach, and author of Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will. Sarah has spent years helping executives, teams, and professionals harness the power of story to build trust, connection, and influence. Together, Brett and Sarah explore why storytelling is not about epic tales or dramatic moments—it’s about everyday experiences told with intention. Sarah shares practical strategies for building a “story portfolio,” setting clear intentions before telling a story, and using performative techniques to keep audiences engaged without feeling pressured. Whether you’re leading a team, presenting to clients, or simply trying to connect more deeply in everyday conversations, this episode will help you shift your mindset and discover how stories can become your most powerful leadership tool. Key Takeaways Why how you tell stories matters more than the stories themselvesHow to build a story bank or portfolio for leadership momentsThe importance of setting clear intentions before sharing a storyPerformative tips to keep audiences engaged and connectedHow everyday stories create relatability, trust, and influence

    35 min
  3. #154 - How Leaders Can Build Trust in High Stakes Situations with Robin Dreeke

    JAN 15

    #154 - How Leaders Can Build Trust in High Stakes Situations with Robin Dreeke

    Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this episode, Brett McDermott sits down with Robin Dreeke, former head of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program. With decades of experience understanding, predicting, and influencing human behavior in high‑stakes environments involving spies, criminals, and hostile actors, Robin brings unparalleled insight into the mechanics of trust. Together, Brett and Robin unpack why trust is the foundation of influence and how leaders can build it consistently—even under pressure. Robin shares his behavioral equation for trust (rapport + credibility ÷ self‑interest) and explains how ego suspension, non‑judgmental curiosity, and predictable behavior become powerful levers for connection. Whether you’re leading a team, negotiating in tense situations, or simply striving to deepen relationships, this conversation offers practical tools to inspire safety, credibility, and authentic rapport. Key Takeaways Trust = rapport + credibility ÷ self‑interestWhy ego suspension accelerates connectionHow non‑judgmental curiosity transforms dialogueThe role of predictable behavior in building loyaltyPractical questions leaders can use to uncover priorities and inspire trust

    31 min
  4. #153 - Why Deep Listening is the Foundation of True Influence with Julian Treasure

    JAN 7

    #153 - Why Deep Listening is the Foundation of True Influence with Julian Treasure

    Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this special conversation, Brett McDermott sits down with Julian Treasure—international speaker and author of one of the most viewed TED Talks of all time—to explore why true influence begins not with speaking, but with listening. Julian introduces his “pyramid of communication,” where listening forms the base, speaking builds on it, and presenting sits at the top. Together, Brett and Julian unpack why most leaders undervalue listening, how inattentive habits erode trust, and why deep, intentional listening is the ultimate gift that creates loyalty, connection, and charisma. From practical frameworks like RASA (Receive, Appreciate, Summarize, Ask) to the power of silence and empathic listening, this episode offers actionable tools to transform how you lead, connect, and influence. Key Takeaways Listening is a skill, not just a capabilityCharisma grows when leaders make others feel heard and valuedSilence is a powerful leadership tool that builds trust and presenceUse the RASA framework to deepen conversations and connectionInfluence starts with listening before speaking

    31 min

  5. JAN 2

    #152 - How Leaders Can Use Vocal Variety to Sound Confident and Charismatic

    Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott explores one of the most underrated tools of influence—your voice. Two people can say the same words, but one feels magnetic while the other fades into the background. The difference isn’t the message—it’s how the message lands. In this episode, Brett breaks down how tone, pace, volume, pitch, and pauses quietly determine whether people lean in or tune out. He reveals why monotone kills trust, why silence signals confidence, and how vocal variety transforms everyday conversations into moments of presence and impact. This isn’t about acting or performing—it’s about uncovering the charisma already inside you and learning to let your voice carry it. Key Takeaways Slow down strategically—pace signals confidence, not nervousnessUse volume contrast to project or invite attentionVary pitch and tone to communicate emotion and convictionHarness pauses to add weight, anticipation, and presencePractice vocal variety daily, not just in presentations

    12 min

  6. 12/23/2025

    #151 - Certainty Creates Trust

    Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott unpacks one of the most underrated communication skills: projecting certainty—even when you don’t have all the answers. This episode isn’t about faking expertise. It’s about becoming the emotional anchor in the room by delivering clarity, calmness, and confidence when people look to you for direction. Brett shares practical tools like the certainty frame, verbal anchors, and body language resets that instantly elevate your leadership presence. If you’ve ever struggled with rambling, over-explaining, or saying “I don’t know” awkwardly, this episode gives you the exact phrasing and techniques to turn uncertainty into influence. Key Takeaways: Use the certainty frame: what’s true, what’s unclear, what’s next, and when answers will comeApply certainty phrases that signal structure and thoughtfulnessProject calm through posture, breathing, and stillnessPractice the one-take answer technique to eliminate ramblingLearn how to say “I don’t know” with confidence and presence

    7 min

  7. 12/16/2025

    #150 - Confidence Is A System You Can Master

    Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott breaks down a game-changing truth: confidence isn’t a personality trait—it’s a loop you can trigger on demand. In this episode, Brett reveals how physiology, self-talk, and behavior form a feedback system that creates unshakable presence. He shares practical resets and scripts you can use before any meeting, pitch, or presentation to step into the room with grounded charisma. If you’ve ever felt small, frozen, or walked away knowing you could’ve shown up bigger, this episode gives you the tools to flip the loop instantly. Key Takeaways: Confidence is a feedback loop of physiology, self-talk, and behaviorUse the “open, tall, still” formula to project presenceInstall intentional self-talk: “Slow is smooth, smooth is powerful”Small behavioral signals—eye contact, pauses, posture—create big perceptionsApply the 30-second confidence reset before high-stakes moments Would you like me to also craft a short teaser caption (like a one-liner hook) for social media posts to drive clicks?

    8 min

  8. 12/13/2025

    #149 - The Charisma Blueprint

    Welcome back to The Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott takes us beneath the surface of techniques and behaviors to explore the foundation of true influence—the charismatic mindset. In this episode, Brett reveals why charisma doesn’t start when you walk into the room—it starts in your mind. He breaks down three pillars that shape how leaders project presence, confidence, and connection: internal grounding, high-value energy, and curiosity-driven connection. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just share ideas—he gives you practical resets and habits you can use today. If you’re new here, get ready to learn why charisma is less about being interesting and more about being interested. Key Takeaways: Ground yourself with the “I belong here” reset and intentional breathingProject warmth plus power through eyes and postureUse emotional contagion to elevate the energy in any roomBuild connection by asking one layer deeper and leaving people bigger than you found them

    13 min
See All (159)

5
out of 5
51 Ratings

About

Charisma is the difference between being heard and being followed. In The Charismatic Leader, Brett McDermott unpacks the skills, strategies, and stories behind Confidence, Connection and Real Influence. Through solo episodes and interviews with world-class leaders, performers and communication experts, you’ll learn how to inspire loyalty, communicate with impact, and become the leader people show up for.

Information

  • Creator
    Brett McDermott
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    159
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Brett McDermott
  • Show Website
    The Charismatic Leader