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Brave and Afraid
In Charismatic Presence, you offer actionable advice for becoming a more effective and authentic public speaker. Why was this an important book for you to write?
After over two decades working with professionals from across diverse industries– IT, Financial Services, Medical, Entrepreneurial–it felt like it was high time that I synthesized and put into writing the foundational principles I’ve learned and taught around maximizing presence and presentation skills. I see this book as part of my legacy, and hope that its availability can help people anywhere (and any time) find the answers, guidance, and courage they need to step up and share their genuine selves and important ideas on public stages. Writing this book is also a response to all of my coaching and training clients who have bugged me for years to write a book they can refer to when they need some guidance and bolstering, and I’m not there to give it to them!
Can you share with us a little about the research that went into putting your book together?
The content of my book was informed in three ways:
- By my first-hand experience as a young professional actress in NYC and Hollywood, who had to learn the hard way how to bring a more confident, consistent presence to my auditions and interviews
- By the countless hours I’ve spent over the past two-plus decades figuring out how to help hundreds of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders (not to mention some scared-to-speak-in-public teens, fathers-of-the-bride-speech-givers, and don’t-make-me-do-it deliverers of wedding toasts) manage their limiting beliefs about presenting, create awesome pitches and presentations, and deliver them with confidence and clarity in high-stakes scenarios
- Many wonderful books and articles that have allowed me to expand, bolster and affirm the basic principles of my work
What is one misconception you believe many people have about overcoming their apprehensions regarding public speaking?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions held by many people is that they need to completely overcome nervousness before speaking to a group. Everyone, including the most seasoned speakers, sometimes feel some level of pre-show “jitters” or adrenaline boost before they step into spotlight moments–it’s a natural physiological response to the situation. Trying to be 100% calm before you start is an impossible goal to hit, and can actually increase anxiety. The key is not to try to get rid of the feeling, but to work with it and find ways to not only minimize it but to manage and channel it into energy, focus, and connection with your audience of one or many. You can be both brave and afraid at the same time! Having the tools to manage those pre-show “jitters” can go a long way at amping up that bravery, which is one of the things I teach in my book.
What is one thing you hope readers are able to take away from your experiences?
That their wisdom, perspective, and big ideas matter; and that by honoring the five principles I share in the book, they really can show up, step up, and speak up on a public platform in an authentic, accessible manner that can make their message (and their presence) magnetic and memorable.
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Drawing on her diverse background in theater, music, and executive coaching, Eleni Kelakos presents a five-principle process to help you develop a Charismatic Presence that commands attention and inspires action. With real-world examples, actionable exercises, and proven techniques, this book is a roadmap to conquering your fears, connecting deeply with your audience, and becoming a truly magnetic communicator.
Charismatic Presence
Eleni Kelakos’ Charismatic Presence is a practical, personal, and surprisingly heartfelt guide to becoming a more effective, engaging, and authentic public speaker. Built around five core principles: Know Thyself, Be Thyself, Prepare Thyself, Commit Thyself, and Turn Thyself On, the book walks readers through the psychological and physical terrain of presence and presentation. With stories from her own life as a performer and coach, Kelakos fuses actor training, business communication, and personal development into a coaching experience that feels as intimate as a one-on-one session and as comprehensive as a classroom.
What struck me most about this book was how deeply human it felt. Kelakos doesn’t hide behind buzzwords or corporate polish. She opens with vulnerable stories of stage fright and failure, like forgetting lyrics at Shea Stadium, and threads that same humility throughout the text. She writes like someone who’s been in the trenches and genuinely wants you to succeed, not just to be a better speaker, but a braver, more grounded version of yourself. Her voice is clear and unpretentious, which makes the content not just accessible but inviting. I found myself laughing, wincing, nodding, often on the same page; that’s rare in a business book.
Where the book really shines is in its actionable advice. The exercises don’t feel like filler. They actually helped me reflect on my own habits and hang-ups when I speak. Kelakos’ concept of “the lies that bind,” those internal voices that whisper you’re not good enough, was especially powerful. Her approach to turning those lies into “power phrases” wasn’t just feel-good fluff. It felt doable. Her tips on preparation, from warming up your physical and vocal presence to structuring a talk, are the kind of grounded guidance I wish I’d had ten years ago. Sometimes the tone leans into cheerleader territory, but honestly, it works.
If you’re someone who freezes at the thought of public speaking, or even someone who does it often but feels stuck in a rut, Charismatic Presence is worth your time. It’s for anyone who wants to feel more like themselves in the spotlight, not some polished robot or shallow “thought leader.” I’d especially recommend it to leaders, coaches, entrepreneurs, or anyone who finds themselves needing to inspire or persuade others. Kelakos reminds us that charisma isn’t about being loud or flashy. It’s about being present. And that’s something anyone can learn.
Pages: 168 | ISBN : 978-1966168218
LITERARY TITAN 