Gravitas in Leadership: 5 Signs You’re Acting Without It

"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters." – Harvey Mackay

Meet John, a mid-sized tech company's Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). John had been in his role for about a year, trying to navigate the complexities of leading a sales and marketing team. His tenure, however, had been rocky. The company was recently acquired by a private equity firm, which brought increased pressure, heightened visibility, and the demand for rapid results.

As the stakes rose, so did John's stress levels. His frustration became palpable during meetings, often culminating in heated outbursts. Sales and marketing meetings that once held promise now ended in shouting matches, finger-pointing, and ominous declarations of “heads will roll."

Goals that once seemed within reach slipped further and further away. His once-motivated team now approached meetings with apprehension, resumes were updated, and lines were forming at the exits. John’s behavior was a classic example of leadership without gravitas. And the impact? A demoralized team, strained relationships, and a company culture teetering on the edge.

What is Gravitas?

In my last blog, Leading with Gravitas: More Than Just Confidence , we introduced Gravitas, the quiet strength that defines true leadership. It’s the ability to lead with integrity, calmness, and authority, even under pressure. Leaders with gravitas inspire trust, respect, and confidence. They don’t need to shout or intimidate. Their presence alone commands attention and influence.

But what happens when a leader like John operates without gravitas? The signs are telling and often detrimental. Here are five signs that you might be acting without gravitas and how to course-correct before it’s too late.

1. Frequent Outbursts of Anger

The Sign: You lose your temper during meetings, often resorting to bullying, shouting, or using demeaning language.

Why It Lacks Gravitas: Leaders with gravitas maintain composure, even in stressful situations. Outbursts of anger undermine your authority and can create a culture of fear rather than respect.

Course Correction: Practice mindfulness and stress management techniques. Before reacting, take a moment to breathe and gather your thoughts. Focus on constructive communication rather than letting frustration take the lead.

2. Blaming and Finger-Pointing

The Sign: You often blame others for failures or setbacks, pointing fingers during meetings to deflect responsibility and ownership.

Why It Lacks Gravitas: Gravitas involves owning your mistakes and your team's mistakes. Blaming others erodes trust and damages relationships, making leading harder.

Course Correction: Embrace personal accountability and encourage a culture of learning from mistakes. Acknowledge where things went wrong, but shift your focus on solutions.

3. Making Threatening Statements

The Sign: You use language like "heads will roll" or similar threats when targets aren’t met or when mistakes happen.

Why It Lacks Gravitas: Threatening language creates an environment of fear and insecurity. Leaders with gravitas inspire action through positive influence, not intimidation and fear.

Course Correction: Replace threats with constructive feedback and clear expectations. Use language that motivates and empowers your team to improve and excel.

4. Displaying Visible Signs of Stress

The Sign: Your stress is evident to everyone around you, whether through your tone, body language, or erratic decision-making.

Why It Lacks Gravitas: Gravitas involves maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, even in high-pressure situations. Visible stress can make your team anxious and erode their confidence in your leadership.

Course Correction: Invest in self-care and stress management strategies. Delegate tasks where possible, and ensure you have a support system to help manage the pressures of leadership.

5. Ignoring Other’s Perspectives

The Sign: You dismiss or ignore various perspectives, opinions, insights, and feedback from your team, believing that your way is the only way.

Why It Lacks Gravitas: Others’ opinions don’t threaten leaders with gravitas because they have confidence in their beliefs. They understand that acknowledging diverse perspectives doesn't diminish their authority but demonstrates their security in their leadership. Ignoring input reflects insecurity and a closed mindset, which can ultimately stifle growth and innovation within the organization.

Course Correction: Seek feedback to understand how others perceive you as a leader. Are you seen as even-keeled or volatile? Confident or self-important? Use this feedback to identify areas where you can grow and strengthen your gravitas. By understanding how you are perceived, you can make informed adjustments that enhance your leadership presence without shutting down others' contributions.

Understanding the absence of gravitas in leadership is much like witnessing a trainwreck—once you’ve seen it, the impact is unforgettable. The damage caused by a lack of gravitas can be profound, leaving organizations, nations, and individuals in disarray. Just as the image of a derailed train lingers, poor leadership's consequences endure as stark reminders of the importance of integrity, composure, and purpose in guiding others.

Lessons from History

Let’s explore the two stories—one from the business world and one from history—whose lack of gravitas led to significant downfalls. Their stories offer valuable lessons for anyone seeking to understand the importance of gravitas in leadership.

1. Kenneth Lay: The Fall of Enron

Context: Kenneth Lay was the Chairman and CEO of Enron, a major American energy company that became infamous for its fraudulent accounting practices.

Lack of Gravitas: Lay’s leadership was marked by a dangerous lack of gravitas, and as his success grew, his lack of gravitas increased. Instead of leading with integrity, he encouraged deceptive accounting practices that falsely inflated Enron’s financial health. His inability to uphold ethical standards and take responsibility for his actions ultimately led to one of the biggest corporate scandals in history.

Impact: Enron’s collapse in 2001 wiped out thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in shareholder value while shaking the business world’s confidence in corporate governance. Lay was convicted of fraud and conspiracy but died before he could be sentenced. His legacy remains a stark reminder of how the absence of gravitas in leadership can lead to catastrophic consequences.

2. Muammar Gaddafi: Libya’s Authoritarian Rule

Context: Muammar Gaddafi ruled Libya as an authoritarian leader from 1969 until his overthrow and death in 2011.

Lack of Gravitas: Gaddafi’s leadership was characterized by erratic behavior, brutal repression, and a failure to provide coherent governance. His lack of gravitas was evident in his inability to meaningfully connect with his people or the international community, leading to widespread discontent.

Impact: Gaddafi’s brutal crackdown on dissent and his erratic policies led to the Libyan Civil War and his eventual overthrow. His death plunged Libya into prolonged conflict and instability, demonstrating how the absence of gravitas in leadership can destabilize an entire nation.

Conclusion

Kenneth Lay’s, Muammar Gaddafi’s, and John’s stories are stark reminders of how quickly leaders can spiral downward without gravitas. The good news is that gravitas can be developed. By recognizing these signs and making intentional changes, you can lead with the quiet strength that defines true leadership. Gravitas isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about being the most trusted, respected, and effective leader you can be.

If you resonate with any of these signs, take it as an opportunity to reflect and grow. Leadership gravitas is within your reach; it’s about how you choose to show up, even when the pressure is on.

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SUGGESTED READING:

Jim Schleckser, The CEO Project, How to Develop Executive Gravitas [Video]

Stephen M.R. Covey, The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything

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Tim Hebert

Tim Hebert sees the world differently. As a perennial entrepreneur, leadership activator, community innovator, keynote speaker, and author, he’s committed to finding untapped potential—and helping others do the same. Tim Hebert is the author of The Intentional Leader , from which this article is adapted.

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@Dave Ramsden, @Garry Foisy, @Erica Davies, @Diana Hebert(Sinina), @Dirigo