Building Gravitas – Mastering Posture and Movement

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Building Gravitas –?Mastering Posture and Movement

In our last newsletter, we discussed how small changes can make a big difference in how you’re perceived, no matter who your audience is. This week, we’ll continue that discussion by diving into specific techniques that can help enhance your presence and communication skills. These methods will show you how posture and movement can significantly impact how others view your authority, confidence, and leadership.

Technique 1: The Posture of Gravitas

One of the most common requests we’ve received over the years is how to help clients increase their gravitas. If you want your words to carry importance, authority, and strength, how you physically present yourself is crucial.

Think about someone you consider to have strong gravitas. What would happen if their words were spoken by someone with a weak posture? The impact would not be the same. Gravitas isn’t just about what you say; it’s about how you say it. Posture is a key factor here.

When most people stand, they tend to slouch, lean to one side, or sway from hip to hip—positions that make them look physically weak. This was a lesson I learned in basketball practice as a teenager. When taking an important shot, I would often stand unbalanced until my coach taught me to centre myself. By standing with feet shoulder-width apart, knees loose, and weight balanced, I was able to stay strong and in control.

Athletes use this technique in all kinds of sports because it works. And it’s no different in communication. When you stand balanced and grounded, you command attention. You’ll find that your words have more authority, and people are more likely to be convinced and inspired by what you say.

If standing in this way feels unnatural, it’s likely because your body has developed poor posture habits over the years. But by returning to the balanced stance you first learned as a child when you were learning to walk, you’ll start to feel more at ease. This is the stance we naturally take when we’re in control and confident.

Women, in particular, may struggle with this stance, as some have been conditioned to take up less space or appear smaller. But remember, standing centred is not about being masculine or feminine; it’s about standing like a confident, grounded human. You have the right to take up space, stand tall, and let gravity work for you. Don’t be afraid to reclaim your gravitas.

Technique 2: Moving with Gravitas

Just as posture is important when standing still, the way you move can also have a big impact on how others perceive you. If you’re speaking in a large space, it’s perfectly fine to move around—just make sure you’re doing it with purpose.

You’ve probably noticed how great communicators or performers move deliberately. They don’t pace back and forth without reason, nor do they let nervous energy drive their movements. Instead, their motion is linked to their thoughts and message. This congruence makes them appear more in control and engaging.

It’s essential not to overdo it, though. You don’t have to stay in the “gravitas” posture all the time. Feel free to relax, stand casually, or move when appropriate. But when it’s time to make a strong point, shift into that centred posture and let your movement reflect the power of your message.

Technique 3: Sitting with Gravitas

Just as standing with gravitas makes an impact, so does sitting with it. The key here is your sternum, the centre of your chest. You can test how much your posture affects your presence by slumping your shoulders and letting your sternum cave inward. In this position, you’ll likely feel weak or uninspired. If you stayed like this for too long, it could even make you feel down or disengaged.

Now try the opposite: sit upright with your feet flat on the floor, gradually lifting your sternum. Align your body by leaning slightly forward and back until you feel balanced. Keep your head upright, and notice how much more confident and proud you feel in this position.

This strong, engaged position conveys certainty and conviction. As with standing posture, it may feel awkward at first, but the more you practise it, the more natural it will become. And when you speak from this place of balance and strength, you’ll not only lift your own energy but also inspire those around you.

Wrapping Up

Posture and movement are powerful tools in communication, helping you appear more confident, assertive, and in control. These small shifts can make a significant difference in how others perceive you. In the next newsletter, we’ll continue our exploration into additional techniques to further enhance your presence and gravitas.

Thank you for joining me for another LIFT Your Impact newsletter.

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This, and many other tools, exercises, and stories can be found in my new book Lift Your Impact, which is available here in the UK and here in the US! Bulk purchases can be made here.