Personal Magnetism – Think and Grow Rich The Author’s 5 Characteristics of Personal Magnetism

In the book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill discusses the importance of sex for success. Published in 1969, and therefore written in the mid-’60s, Hill has a conservative understanding of the partnership in which the man is successful and the woman is his support person.

Napoleon Hill argues that the most fundamental power for thinking and getting rich is desire (chapter 1). He also recognizes that, at least from his perspective, men are looking to please a woman. I like Hill’s understanding of the transmutation of sex into charisma. Hill claims that the sexual drive creates desire in men and that it also creates a kind of magnetism that places that person as a leader.

Hill discusses a phenomenon in which, inspired by his first wife, a man is “irresistible and invincible.” However, when the already successful man leaves his first wife for another, his success begins to decline rapidly. Hill concludes that the sexual influence of the right influence is more powerful than any substitute for convenience, and therefore the ultimate creator of desire.

So in the 21st century, 50 years after Napoleon Hill made his argument that sexual influence from the right source is the best desire-creator, is it still relevant? Interestingly, women have a very different place in society and many not only continue to work after having their first child, but must also maintain dual income to maintain family unity in the current economic climate. Women now have careers and are seen as much more than support people. Anecdotally, the successful people I talk to are very appreciative of their partners, and even though the partner may not work in the business as such, they are an enabler of their partner’s success. So how does this work for women, who have less sexual transmutation than men? Certainly women still have charisma and women have charisma. Most of my heroes are women and they show a personal magnetism.

Hill gives five characteristics of personal magnetism:

1. The handshake is confident.

2. The tone of voice is colorful, musical and charming.

3. Body posture: moves quickly with grace and ease.

4. Thought vibrations are emotional.

5. Body adornment – becoming style of your personality, physique and complexion.

Aside from point number 1 where women sometimes don’t shake hands, women are very good at the other 4 characteristics of personal magnetism. Their voice is pleasant and melodic to the ear, they move with determination and efficiency, they convey emotion and affection for others and they are very good at body adornment. Many women shake hands. In some situations, women are more likely to hug or kiss on both sides of the cheek. So the principle of recognition and trust that Hill saw in the handshake is expressed by women and men in other ways.