Gravitas: Poise Under Pressure

At the core of executive presence lies gravitas, an easy to spot yet tough to define skill. In today’s business world, we use this word to describe professionals who can handle ‘weighty’ issues like taking ownership and offering a calibrated response while displaying confidence and authority. Derived from the Latin word ‘gravis’ meaning weighty, it was used for people who displayed the ability to handle serious issues. In ancient Rome, displaying gravitas was a critical leadership skill and included being trusted and respected.

?An integral part of a leader’s role is to influence stakeholders by inspiring, engaging, motivating and impacting them. The ability to impact people positively, while you continue to retain your core personality is a modern day leader who displays ‘gravitas’. Clearly, getting your work done is not adequate, especially if it involves frequently seen negative tactics like bullying, fear or coercion. On the other, communicating effectively while making people believe they are a part of the journey, motivating them and mobilizing them to deliver is gravitas on display.

?Displaying Executive Maturity or Poise under Pressure

?Have you worked for a boss who was frequently in the midst of a panic attack? Though he had a prestigious degree and was technically brilliant, he was dramatic about the smallest of things and made the workplace extremely stressful? Yes, he lacked executive maturity. On the other hand, did you somehow manage to control your emotions and ask your junior in an even tone ‘Please tell me your reason for writing this email to the client’. Congratulations, you have aced Executive Maturity!

?Leadership requires a steeliness that is forged in the crucible of crisis. It takes a crisis for you to discover your core of confidence. When circumstances contrive to create a crisis, you can take cover or you can lean into the wind and acknowledge your shortcomings and rise above them. Crises actually represent opportunities for potential leaders to acquire gravitas, the cornerstone of a real winner. When you demonstrate your confidence cannot be shaken, you inspire confidence in others. If you didn’t already have their trust and loyalty, you will win it now.? People look to leaders to make difficult decisions. It’s not so much about taking the right decision, but about rendering a decision at a time when no one else dares. This shows you have the confidence to impose a direction and take responsibility for the consequences.

?Are leaders born with this trait or can is it a skill which can be acquired? Research shows that while this trait exists in its natural form in a small percentage, it can be acquired with commitment and practice.

Executive Maturity, also called Poise under Pressure is both internal and external. This critical leadership skill builds adequate self-awareness where no one can ‘make you angry’ as you know that being angry is a choice.

?1. Internal: ability to master your emotions and your emotional triggers which lead to mood changes and impulsive behavior. Simply put, it’s the skill that makes you think before you act or speak.

1. External: raising your awareness to a level where you are sensitive to the feelings and signals emitted by those around you.

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