A Quick Guide to Gravitas: what it is & why it’s important

Understanding Gravitas: Have you ever felt the magnetic pull of someone speaking? That's gravitas. More than a mere quality, it's the art of speaking that makes people sit up, listen, and trust. Today, it’s hailed as the cornerstone of executive presence, even surpassing communication and appearance.

Gravitas Is Within Reach: Though many view gravitas as a gift reserved for a chosen few, I’ve found through my years of experience that it's a skill. A skill that can be nurtured, refined, and honed.

Ancient Wisdom to Modern Times: Rooted in the five canons of rhetoric introduced by Aristotle, gravitas encompasses invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. While modern education champions the first three, the art of delivery (and memory) often gets overlooked.

A New Approach to Gravitas: Distinguished organizational psychologist, Rebecca Newton , spotlights clear goal-setting, openness to feedback, and the importance of broader conversations in building gravitas. From my perspective, mastering the tangible elements of delivery is just as pivotal.

Mastering the Delivery: Beyond words, gravitas is projected through our non-verbal cues. This was illustrated by one of my recent clients, Joan. Once paralysed by performance anxiety, she transformed into an authoritative speaker by mastering her body language and voice.

Reviving Lost Arts for Modern Leadership:

• Gestures: Ancient orators used their entire body to convey their message, enhancing their speech. Modern leaders can reclaim this art to bolster their communication.
• Voice: Contrary to popular belief, our voice is malleable. From maintaining good posture to mastering breath control, we can reshape our voice to command respect.
• Tacit Knowledge: Leaders possess deep-seated knowledge, often hard to articulate. Bringing this tacit understanding to the forefront can amplify gravitas.

Final thought: Gravitas isn't a mythical quality. It's a skill-set, waiting to be embraced. By dedicating oneself to its pursuit, leaders can elevate their presence, trustworthiness, and overall impact.