Do you have Gravitas?

You probably agree with me that gravitas is something we all aspire to.  However, we might not agree on the definition.  

What exactly is gravitas?

Gravitas is also one of those things that “you’ll know it when you see it.”  It’s tough to define, but when you meet someone with gravitas, it’s unmistakable.  It’s impressive!

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines gravitas as “high seriousness (as in a person's bearing or in the treatment of a subject)”   It’s a Latin word used by the Romans to describe a quality thought to be essential to the character and functions of any adult (male) in authority. Of course, now, it applies to men and women equally.  

Fun fact:  There was a HUGE spike in people looking up the word gravitas on October 7, 2020.  Can you guess why?  It was the Vice-Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence.  Yes, THAT one.   (I can’t wait to find out what lookups the Sept 7 debate will generate!)

Another fun fact:  People also mistakenly looked up gravata. A gravata is a fiber from a South American plant related to a pineapple.  But I digress…..

Why is gravitas important?

To me (and others), gravitas can be also interpreted as confidence.  When we communicate with confidence, we develop credibility. Once we establish credibility, we can create an impact. This sounds a lot like gravitas!

In my last LinkedIn newsletter, I included a recommendation for a book from economist Sylvia Ann Hewlett:  Executive Presence 2.0

Ten years ago, Hewlett released the original Executive Presence to wide-spread acclaim.  After interviewing 100s of executives and reviewing a lot of data, she identified the three main components of executive presence or “EP”:

1. Gravitas
2. Communication skills
3. How you show up

(Aren’t these ALL communication skills?!?)

Gravitas is identified as the most significant of the three components of EP. Hewlett refers to it as: “[a] core attribute and includes showing confidence, "grace under fire" and acting decisively.”

The updated version of Hewlett’s book, Executive Presence 2.0  talks about how each of these ingredients of executive presence have changed over the last 10 years. It suggests that leaders worldwide now seek to promote high-performing men and women who exude confidence but also project authenticity and inclusivity. 

This makes sense to me. 

Of course you need a strong, authentic personal brand.  And we all need to be inclusive.

How can you develop gravitas?

Gravitas is not something you can develop in a week or even a month.  But you can take small steps every day toward developing gravitas.

I often loosely define gravitas as confidence.  So one way to develop your gravitas is to build your confidence - both in how you feel, and how you are perceived. When it comes to building confidence, different strategies work for different people, including everything from slowing your breath to power-posing, to self-talk and mantras.

Speaking of self-talk and mantras, do you remember Simone Biles's “You Got This” self-talk moment in the Olympics?  Apparently, it is possible to have gravitas on a balance beam! 

So focusing on building your confidence can help you develop gravitas.  That said, be careful you don’t focus too much on confidence, which can backfire, according to organizational psychologist and gravitas expert Rebecca Newton. 

In this HBR article, Newton lists several ways you can develop your gravitas, including developing your confidence (but not too much!), being clear about what you want, being open to feedback, creating time for broader conversations, and committing to integrity.

In her book E.P. 2.0, Sylvia Ann Hewlett also identifies 6 key components of gravitas that can help us in our quest to develop our gravitas.

1. “Grace Under Fire” - how do you present yourself when things are going off the rails around you?  Are you the one who takes charge? Can you lead your team through the situation?
2. Decisiveness - Do you come across as being able to make decisions and deal with situations effectively? Do others perceive you as competent and experienced?
3. Speaking Truth to Power - This was a BIG factor in demonstrating confidence. (There’s that word again!)  As a leader, are you able to challenge opinions respectfully and with authority?  Have you established yourself as an expert in the subject?  
4. Demonstrating Emotional Intelligence - Your ability to “read the room” and demonstrate empathy
5. Right-Sizing Your Reputation - This is your personal brand in action.  Make sure you can confidently state who you are and how you want to be seen.
6. Vision and Charisma - If you aren’t inspiring and likable as a leader, you’re setting yourself up for a lot of difficult conversations and situations.

Homework:

1. Consider the suggestions offered above from Newton’s Newton’s Harvard Business Review article and Hewlett’s book. Which suggestions from these lists are areas where you personally can get traction?
2. Identify at least one person around you who you believe exhibits gravitas. Ask yourself, what is it about this person that makes them stand out as having gravitas? Then consider whether you can model your own behavior after what you observe.
3. I strongly recommend you read Sylvia Ann Hewlett’s book: Executive Presence 2.0 - audiobook, ebook, borrowed from the library - however you like to consume books!

I’m always curious to know how your homework goes.  I’d love to hear from you here on LinkedIn. I read all legit comments and reply to them personally.  

Talk soon!

Andrea

Dr. Andrea Wojnicki is a Harvard-educated executive communication coach. She founded "Talk About Talk" to help ambitious executives communicate with confidence and clarity by focusing on topics such as personal branding, overcoming imposter syndrome, listening, demonstrating leadership, and formal presentation skills.  Andrea provides 1:1 coaching, workshops, keynote speeches, and online courses. She also shares her thought leadership as a columnist at Inc. magazine and she hosts the Talk About Talk podcast, with over 160 episodes and counting.