Charisma: Upclose & Personal, IV

Robert Braswell of The Braswell Group (United Kingdom) interviewed Edward Brown, lead trainer for Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute to explore the aspects of charisma and its relevancy to profitability and leadership within a global economy. This is the fourth of a five-part series.

Part 4...

Robert: How does your idea of being a rugged individualist coincide with a society that prides itself on team building, collaborations and selflessness?

Ed: I believe it coincides well with the fabric of America. We are the leaders across many sectors (Business, Education, Technology, etc..), because of our rugged individualism. Most, if not all, advancements in the last 200 years can be tied to an individual with an idea and the passion to pursue it. The person did it for himself and as a result the country benefited from his contribution. Acting in one's rational self-interest is not only logical, it's the first law of self preservation.

Robert: Why does your philosophy place so much emphasis on one's reasoning abilities? Isn't the individual as equally emotional?

Ed: The main factor that allows us to rest at the top of the food chain is our reasonability. Yes, we are emotional. But, rarely have we sharpened our reasoning skills to allow our emotions to work properly. I submit to you that if people develop their minds more acutely, their emotions would serve them better in their decision making. I may not agree with your opinions, but I can appreciate whatever logical analysis you derived to get there. People who have opinions based purely on emotions can't be reasoned with.

Robert: Why do you say that? Are you suggesting that people who hold certain beliefs passionately aren't reasonable?

Ed: I say, the more reasonable you are, the more passionate your beliefs should be. Your reasonability should lead you on a quest for enlightenment. The more you know, the more you want to know. I start off with as much of a blank slate as possible and allow the facts to build the case. Not, I start out emotionally charged and find information to conveniently fit my slanted philosophy.


Robert: Since your idea of charisma has a an emotional bent to it, how do you merge reason and emotions?

Ed: First, charisma is one way by which people get what they want. It's mental, philosophical and strategical. Charisma has no basis outside of social relations. Secondly, the way to enhance what you want is to destroy your illusions through reason. Once you learn and understand how the world operates, your illusions are destroyed and you can use the powers of magnetism to get more of what you want from life.

Robert: So is your mission to promote charisma or destroy illusions?

Ed: Both!

Robert: How are your efforts thus far?

Ed: Life would be easier for me if I merely promoted illusions. People like fantasy better than reality. But, if I did that, my heart wouldn't be in it. I think the last time the world lodged a full fledge campaign to exalt reason was the 17th century during the "Age of Reason." Since then, the world has been in a downward spiral allowing emotions to take precedent over reason. We are diminishing the only thing that makes us special---our minds. I'm not a sports celebrity nor Rapper. The only contributions I'll leave behind when it's all said and done are my final thoughts on how the individual gets more out of life in contemporary society.

Related: Charisma