Charisma University by Charlie Houpert, is a social skills course aiming to teach the art of charisma.

At TPM, we’ve been on a similar mission to help good men not just become more charismatic, but more empowered and effective in all areas of life.

So here’s a detailed review of Charisma University, including what it gets right—and where it might leave room for more.

About The Authors

• Charlie Houpert majored in philosophy, wrote the Charisma on Command book, and started out dabbling as a dating coach
• Ben Altman is the co-founder of Charisma on Command. Unfortunately, the two had a fallout and Ben isn’t featured in Charisma University because he’d be a great role model for masculinity and power.

TPM’s reviews™

SUMMARY

1. First Impressions

The first rule: don’t try to impress.

Charlie says you must hit 4 key emotions to make a great first impression:

1. Positivity (light-hearted, fun)
2. Trust
3. Respect
4. Show interest

My Note: Not sure the order must be hit in sequence
These elements often overlap and unfold together. And for men, I’d prioritize respect over light-heartedness.

🔎 Example: Obama First Impression

I love that Charlie uses lots of examples, but didn’t always agree with them.
Take this supposed example of charismatic first impression:

Obama: (slaps a man on his shoulder for 6 times)

TPM Note: Obama overdoes it. It’s not charisma, it’s dominance
First off, this is more about asserting dominance than charisma. And while Obama is often a solid role model, these forceful pats are overly dominant.

🔎 Example: Jennifer Lawrence & Charismatic Vulnerability

Charlie says that revealing a weakness early makes you likable and charismatic.

That’s situational.
If you come across as cool and high-power, a vulnerability makes you more attainable and relatable.
But if you’re not yet high-power, vulnerability only makes you a bigger loser.

Look at the example in Charisma University:

Jennifer: (shows “vulnerability”)

Interviewer: You’re not worried about peaking too soon <—- power move!

Jennifer: (looks up and raises her arm) <— Sub-communication 🟰 ‘That was SO off’
Well, now I am.
(with annoyed tonality) God… <— Shames the interviewer

From TPM’s point of view, Charisma University fails to highlight the bigger lesson learned in this example.

Jennifer wasn’t just being vulnerable. She was a great social strategist by being vulnerable at the right time.
Her exasperated “God” was a high-power counter. It framed the interviewer as tactless and trying to undermine her moment.

Misplaced vulnerability can be insecure, submissive, or socially awkward.
Also read: vulnerability is NOT power.

Be More Interesting: Break Boring Rituals

Charlie recommends capturing attention when someone asks you typical, “ritual” questions.

For example, instead of replying “good” to “how are you”, you say “jolly”, or “never been better”.

These can work in the right moments, but be careful not to overdo it, or you can come across as try-hard.

2. Confidence

The second module builds on Tony Robbins’ work.

The exercise for confidence is as follows:

1. Think of a time you felt great
2. Move like when you felt great
3. Repeat to yourself an incantation (ie.: “I’m a f*cking God”)

There were good tips in this module, but I’m not a fan of this approach for developing confidence.
While short-term ‘whipping yourself into state’ is useful, I prefer focusing on deeper fundamentals for long-term changes.

3. Expert Conversation

Charlie presents here the ground rules for having good conversations:

1. Don’t think you need to have a master plan
2. Say what you think without filters: the more you talk, the more “ammo” for conversation
3. Make people laugh faster
4. Go deeper faster and discuss things people relate to the hardest (values, motivations, emotions)
5. Use your body more (gesticulate on a wider plane)

I liked Charlie Houpert’s analysis of verbal expressions and body language mismatch.
For example, if you approach someone head on, you better speak straight, or else you look incongruent.

🔎 Example of Great Conversation: Will Smith

I once again didn’t fully agree with Charlie’s example of ‘charismatic conversation’:

Will Smith: (stands up and runs circles around the table mimicking a headless chicken, eliciting laughter while looking goofy and silly)

TPM Note: “funny”… Maybe. But NOT masculine
While this ‘jester approach’ to social dominance grabs attention, I advise men to focus on foundational power and avoid this over-the-top approach.

For me, Will Smith became respectable when he stopped dancing, sat down, and spoke with confidence.
That Will Smith was respect-worthy, masculine, and leader-like.

4. Storytelling

Storytelling was Charisma University’s best module.

The mindset of telling a story, says Charlie Houpert, is not to go from A to Z, but to calibrate to the audience’s reaction.

Here is some good advice on telling a riveting story:

1. Find an overarching question underpinning your story (ie.: “what happens?” or ” who was that guy stalking you”?)
2. Drop a line to capture attention (ie.: “oh my God, the craziest thing happened to me last time” or “you’re gonna love this one guy”)
3. Tell the story in the present tense
4. Rising action: anything you say must contribute to the main point (ie.: If your story is about you afraid of walking down an alley, everything you say must contribute to that suspense, for example sharing your feelings and shaking body)
5. Expand the climax (don’t rush through the climax but expand it)
6. Wrap up (a piece of advice, a lesson learned, or a little joke)

Charlie also mentions that you tell stories about yourself to signal value and gain credibility, respect, or liking.
This was called “demonstrate higher value” in the dating literature.

5. Magnetic Presence

For magnetic presence comfort, confidence and power are crucial, says Charlie Houpert.

He stresses the importance of posture -his tip: imagine a hook pulling you up- and voice.

A couple more good ideas:

• Move people from one level of energy to gain influence
• Touch people more and let your hand linger for 1 or 2 seconds

🔎 Example: Terry Crews’ ‘Magnetic Entrance’

My disagreement forms a pattern: Charisma University examples are “over the top” personalities.
But this isn’t the only—or necessarily the best—way to succeed socially.

See for yourself:

Terry Crew: (enters dancing and yelling)

Ellen: (unfazed, removes the pin from his chest) You danced so much your pin came out <—- Power move. Sub-communicates ‘you *slightly* overdid that‘

Is that a “magnetic presence”?
Maybe to some, but I’d advise that it’s best to learn to be “magnetic” without becoming a dancing monkey.

Ellen’s comment also framed Terry like a low-power jester.

Power dynamics is clear on this.
At parity of returns, lower effort is superior:

Social ROI matrix, part of ‘Social Investment Model’ (Buffalmano, 2026)

Low-Energy Magnetism

Charlie Houpert says that you can be magnetic with lower energy.

But most of his examples are high-energy. And he says that Marlon Brando’s low-energy charisma works “only because it’s scripted”.
But Marlon Brando was a legend in real life as well.

See this example:

This is how a masculine man confident man behaves.
Not dancing around like headless chickens.

Also see:

• The Godfather analysis (a typical “low energy” charismatic man)
• Signs of social power
• Dominance archetypes

6. Leadership

This is the module I enjoyed the least.

It’s mostly one type of leadership: inspirational leadership, and draws heavily from Tony Robbins.
It felt tangential to leadership.

Our take on leadership emphasizes power dynamics, which we find often more relevant and practical.
We dig deeper in Power University, but you can check:

• Leadership 101
• How to be a leader
• Leadership power dynamics

CONS

I enjoyed Charisma University, and I’m grateful to Charlie.
Many of our readers and community members found us through him:

That said, these are the cons based on how we approach social skills:

1. High Energy Approach to Socialization (Jester Risk)

Charisma has no universally defined or empirically tested measures.

So while one can list many ways of being charismatic, Charlie leans into high-energy ‘charisma’.

Including jokes, “silly role plays”, lots of laughing, loudness, etc., etc.
That works best in bars or clubs.
Even modern-day (2022) Charlie confirms that:

Charlie: Especially in a bar / night club scenario, which I think is what I’m tending towards more

And for those places, he’s right, high energy works well. But that makes it less suited for men who are less into bars and clubs.
And at higher risk of falling into a jester role.

Also, read:

• The high-energy myth

2. Power & Status Are Higher Priority, But Not Covered

Our main “con” comes down to this.

While charisma is a form of influence and power, the foundations are different.
In our view, mastering power first is more important for men.

Charisma-related traits are only effective in achieving life-relevant goals IF you can also be confident, positively dominant, and strategic.

And by “life-relevant goals” I’m referring to results that most men want.
Such as:

• Dates & mates
• Social status
• Career promotions
• Networking with high-value men

Charlie suggests so himself on his podcast.
Him and Ben discuss what makes you attractive, and Charlie says:

Charlie: Charisma on Command focuses on personality (but) If you’re rich and powerful you can be a jerk and don’t need to be attractive. (Power) it’s what people respond most strongly to

Ben then says that charisma/personality is the quickest to change.
But it takes the same time to learn how to behave powerful and gain respect. And I think that’s priority #1 for most men.

2.2. Charlie Himself May Refine His Approach For Status & Respect

I think Charlie has the “feel” for power dynamics.

In this example, I could see that he felt the disrespect.

However, I wished he had defended himself more strongly.

In this instance, Charlie’s response leaned toward being overly accommodating, further empowering the attacker:

Graham: (disrespectful)
Charlie: (complies and losing power, status, and respect)

📽️ Same goes for signs of naivete.

3. Could Be More ‘Masculine’

I’m not even the biggest advocate for ‘masculinity’.

But while charisma and masculinity are different, respect, status, and attraction often require a baseline of masculinity.

Charisma University’s approach sometimes prioritizes energy and humor over this baseline. But many ‘good men types’ may benefit from more masculinity.

4. Some Examples & Role Models Were Poor

There are plenty of examples in Charisma University we agree with.

But some, including the ones we reviewed here, could be improved:

• It’s not a “great first impression” to slap others like you’re trying too hard to dominate them
• It’s not “magnetic presence” to dance and shout -and then get “owned” by the host
• It’s not “great conversation” to run around like a headless chicken

These examples may even take some men off-track.

Will Smith & Charisma

Will Smith himself, a frequent example of charismatic mastery, raises questions for me.

While charismatic in many ways, what’s the value of this brand of charisma if it doesn’t prevent cheating, public shame, or manipulation?

I’d rather have the power dynamics skills to get a better partner.

5. Teaches Men And Women As If They Were The Same

Charisma University targets both men and women.

Charlie and Ben say that it’s largely applicable across cultures, and for both genders. Say Ben and Charlie:

Ben: 95% of the lessons don’t have to be modified, they just are for people (…) you don’t have to modify it
Charlie: 98% is going to be the same

I partially agree with the intercultural aspect.

But I agree less with the cross-gender applicability.

On average, men benefit significantly more from power, dominance, and leadership.

Women who talk louder and touch others may gain power, but lose femininity and pay a hefty social price.
Studies also show that.

Maybe that’s why Charisma University felt low in masculinity.
You try to cater to both, and you end up with a sub-optimal middle ground.

6. Sometimes Reactions Over Results

Principle:

High-energy folks get more reactions, but higher-power folks get more results.

See an example on Charisma University’s own sales page:

Charlie: Vivian came running over to give me one of her big bear hugs and a kiss. All I could do was smile as he tried not to stare at her

That “big bear hug” was disrespectful.
Charlie’s passive acceptance cost him status and attraction. He should have assertively checked that, not reveled in it.

Just think about that:

You’re socializing, and a random girl barges in and interrupts while you’re talking to someone.
It’s disrespectful to you, and to your speaking partner.

She did it because she felt confident Charlie wouldn’t enforce his boundaries.

Finally, that woman was potentially “marking territory”.
And boosting her social status displaying her power over the event’s speaker -often high-status just for being on stage-.

Don’t let people interrupt you and don’t let your female friends use you for social climbing. It’s low power and unattractive.

7. Lacks Scientific Backing

Ben and Charlie opened up about not using science:

Ben: People say “do you have any studies to back that up”.
Well, I have my experience, the people I’ve coached, and watching other people. And that seems to me far more valuable than if I rely on a study

And I partially agree.
Great intuition and lots of experience are invaluable.

But science and experience are NOT mutually exclusive.
Charlie’s later comments also show some room for improvement in understanding how science works.

Science improves intuition and experience with more data points (see our 3-pillars model).

PROS

Among Charisma University’s pros:

• Lots of Examples

Charisma University has lots of real-life examples and good breakdowns. Just as I like it.

• Good Overview

Especially for those who prefer a party-style, extroverted, talkative approach to socialization.

• Charlie Communicates Clearly

Charlie is the “explanator in command” and a master speaker.
I learned even more from Charlie’s presentation, than the material.

Charisma University: Lucio's Take

We liked Charisma University and it's great for younger beginners, but found it lacked key lessons on social power, status, and masculinity.

Course Provider: Organization

Course Provider Name: Charisma on Command

Course Mode: Online

Course Price: 597$

Editor's Rating:
3.5

Charisma University VS Power University

This table helps you pick the best for you:

Or see here full comparison.

Charisma University is simpler and faster because it has a smaller scope.

By contrast, Power University is Lucio’s life mission to provide a comprehensive system to turn good men into confident and competent men who win at life.
That intrinsically makes it a deeper, more robust, but also more challenging program.

So, in brief:

• Go for Charisma University if you’re an extroverted teenager who wants something quick and easy. You trade smaller improvements for smaller investment
• Go for Power University if you’re serious about your self-development and want to achieve significant goals in life

P.S.:
And if you’re a “good guy”, I also recommend PU.
Charlie may be a bit ‘too good guy’ himself to transform nice guys.

What People Say About CU & PU

Let’s see what someone who tried both told us:

In the past I tried Charisma University but while I thought the content was good I didn’t feel like it worked well for me (…)
the high energy style of charisma is quite exhausting for me, and (…)
I feel like being quick to laughter and speaking through a smile etc makes me come across as low-power and makes people respect me less.

It’s a public post from our forum.
And #3 is what we highlighted in this review.

And the same person, comparing Charisma University VS Power University:

Of course:

This is not to say that this person’s experience applies to everyone else.
Charisma University may be better for you, so you must decide for yourself.

FAQs

Charisma University REVIEW

Charisma University is a good course on social skills.

While anyone can learn from it, it’s best for younger men who prefer an extroverted, “high-energy” style for parties and fraternities.

The high-energy approach is a possible limitation, confirming what researcher Elaine Aron says:

Most social skills courses and books are sold by high-energy extroverts, who teach the high-energy extrovert way to social skills.

It’s good for introverts to learn to act extrovert, but quieter men can play their strengths.
After all, the silent type is often more powerful.

Charisma University + Power University

A good option for beginners could be to get Charisma University first, and then level up with Power University.

This is the approach this Redditor took:

Redditor: charisma university” by Charlie Houpert and “power university” by Lucio Buffalmano transformed my social life (…)  most importantly, understanding power dynamics. Within a year I changed my life. My only regret is never starting sooner

Many Power University alumni indeed find that learning power dynamics changed their lives, and it got them great results (measured in our survey).

See if it’s for you: