Fox Cabane speaks from experience. Now 33, she was “your typical nerdy kid, socially awkward, introverted. In fact,” she adds in her husky voice (deep voices are more charismatic, because our unconscious associates them with authority), “I completely lacked any grace, I was oblivious to social codes.” In her late teens, she resolved to conquer her insecurity, by gleaning tips from the mountains of psychological and neurological research into human interactions. “I deserve no credit for the science,” she says (charismatic people are careful to reflect their glory, to prevent envy). “I just took the best bits out of some rather arcane data to help me...to be one of those normal human beings who can make people like them.” On the phone, Fox Cabane is certainly friendly and charming, yet she inhibits me; I worry I’m being judged and found lacking in the charm stakes. “People say that all the time,” she acknowledges cheerfully.“But if we were face-to-face, I’d have you at your ease within five to 10 minutes because I’d employ body language to make you comfortable.” Off-duty, Fox Cabane usually dims her dazzle, but sometimes she forgets. “Recently I was getting a sandwich and the woman serving me said: ‘I’m so sorry, but how did you become as wonderful as you are?’ It was just the way I said ‘Hello’.”