Why

 Apply critical thinking and see through the mask of charisma. As we know, it’s not just young people that need this.

Why you should treat charisma as a red flag

Today’s crop of smooth talkers tap directly into a specific evolutionary vulnerability. Here’s how to defend yourself

From the article: “The best form of defence against the excesses of charisma is critical thinking. We should regard it as being like a collective immune system, and it should be central to our culture and the way we educate our young people. They should be taught how to evaluate sources, interpret information and recognise bias.”

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/nov/01/why-you-should-treat-charisma-as-a-red-flag

We spend a lot of time worrying about how the minds of teenagers are warped by the online world. We’re keenly aware how prone they are to manipulation by seemingly impressive figures. What we fail to realise is, we’re all teenagers when it comes to the internet. Algorithmic social media has only been around for about 15 years, and we remain largely unconscious of how routinely it bypasses our better judgment. Is there any way to grow out of this newly acquired susceptibility?

The best form of defence against the excesses of charisma is critical thinking. We should regard it as being like a collective immune system, and it should be central to our culture and the way we educate our young people. They should be taught how to evaluate sources, interpret information and recognise bias. Similarly, separating confidence from substance ought to be considered a basic life skill. Looking at counter-arguments when we are emotionally pulled to someone’s perspective should be routine, and changing our mind when it is emotionally difficult should be celebrated.

It would also be helpful for the average person to learn the fundamentals of confident communication. Not only can this help you express yourself when you have something of real value to offer, but it also teaches you to see through a person who would happily use such tactics to deceive or seduce.

All told, charisma should actually be a red flag that encourages us to be more sceptical of an individual, not less. When someone can convincingly hold court on important topics like finance, healthcare or the Middle East, we should ask questions. What experience do they have? Do they have a history of dishonesty? What do they stand to gain from this view? What need in me might this person be speaking to? For my part, the next time I discuss something important, I will go easy on the pitch, pace and volume, and try to let the facts speak for themselves.

Alex Curmi is a psychiatrist and host of The Thinking Mind podcast.