In corridors of power and boardrooms of industry, questions about gravitas—its essence, development, and impact—play on peoples' minds. Leaders seek to understand this elusive quality that underpins trust, recognition, and career advancement. How does one cultivate gravitas? Can it be learned, or is it an innate trait? And crucially, how long does it take to develop?
The reassuring news is that while cultivating enduring gravitas is indeed a journey requiring time and dedication, there are practical techniques that can yield immediate dividends in everyday meetings, presentations, and conversations. Even more reassuring, these techniques are fairly easy.
Exhibit Comprehensive Preparedness
A fundamental way to exude gravitas is to demonstrate thorough preparation. This not only underscores your expertise but also signals that you are abreast—or preferably ahead of—current trends and developments. Share pertinent statistics, case studies, research findings, and insights from your professional experiences. Engaging in discussions with respected industry professionals and referencing these interactions can further solidify your position as a subject matter expert. It’s important to have at least some of these data points ready to roll off your tongue in every day conversations as well as more formal meetings or presentations. Anyone can ask ChatGPT for impressive information to insert into talk notes. You want to demonstrate that this information is embedded in your memory and your approach.
I once collaborated on a presentation for an executive promoting a new business strategy. We knew this would be a heavy lift, so we decided to cite a recent study from Harvard Business School, discuss a successful case study from a vanguard in the industry, and share insights from a recent conversation with a renowned industry leader. This blend of data, real-world examples, and expert opinions instantly establishes credibility. After the presentation, one board member quipped, “When I first heard about what you’d be pitching, I thought you’d taken too many gummies, but after all those examples, I think you may be onto something.”
Convey Intentionality
Effective communications always convey a clear intention. One straightforward way to achieve this is at the outset of a meeting or presentation. Articulate the value you aim to deliver.
For example, “By the end of this meeting, my goal is that you will have a comprehensive understanding of the proposed marketing strategy’s core objectives and projected impact. And I hope you’ll be able to see its potential in driving our goals forward.”
This approach not only sets a clear plan but also creates a framework for how the audience listens, as you embark on a journey with a clearly defined, common destination.
Master Body Language
Relaxed yet dynamic body language shows that you are in command of your material and the situation. It positions you as someone to be taken seriously. Humans form subconscious impressions rapidly, often within a fraction of a second, and body language plays a pivotal role in this process.
Maintain steady eye contact (while remembering to blink!) This engenders trust. For virtual meetings, look directly into your webcam to simulate eye contact. Some professionals place a small red dot or smiley face near their webcam as a reminder.
Keep an upright posture, without being stiff or tense. If you’re on camera, try leaning forward about 15 degrees. This adds energy to your presentation and helps minimize those pesky shadows below the chin. Plus, it makes you look like you’re leaning into your work—literally.
Breathe with Purpose
Slow, deep breathing not only calms the mind but also helps you project confidence. It also affects other aspects of your body language—helping relax your neck, shoulders, torso and dozens of muscles in your face.
Unlike rapid, shallow, breathing, which signals the activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the fight-flight-freeze response, deep breathing helps put others around you at ease and creates greater audience engagement.
In a 2012 TED Talk, Brene Brown reveals the life-changing fallout of her first TEDx talk going unexpectedly viral. Each deep breath not only helps her stay calm and poised as she navigates emotional terrain but also conveys a depth of experience that her words alone cannot, thus creating an elevated experience for everyone watching.
There is a Latin dictum that states, “Dum spiro, spero”—while I breathe I hope. And so does your audience.
Pace Your Delivery
The world's most impactful speakers master the art of pacing. Speaking too quickly can overwhelm the audience or disengage them. Often speakers in meetings and presentations are so concerned about boring the audience, they race through their points, making it harder for the audience to fully absorb the nuances and deeper implications of their material.
On the other hand, speaking too slowly can actually bore the audience. So find the sweet spot: like a brisk walk, not a Mad Hatter’s dash or a snail’s parade.
Vary your pacing—speed up when you want to motivate, inspire, or drive home a core message. Slow down to emphasize critical information. Pauses are equally important; they give the audience time to assimilate information and add dramatic effect.
Love him or hate him, former President Barack Obama is world-famous for his pauses. This habit has helped him bring heightened emotion to inspiring and poignant moments in his speeches and has become a godsend for late-night comedians.
Craft Compelling Narratives
Stories and anecdotes rank among the most powerful tools for engaging an audience. They can break up the monotony of a long meeting and make your message more relatable and memorable.
Even short anecdotes can make a stunning centerpiece for your message or strategy, as shown by Admiral William H. McRaven in his iconic Commencement Speech at the University of Texas in 2014.
Employ Leadership Language
The words you choose can mean the difference between a mind roaming astray or alight with interest. Are your words demonstrating expertise, passion and conviction? Or are they diluting your authority?
Use direct, concise language without any peregrination. And convey your conviction.
I recently began working with a brilliant executive who is known company-wide for her strategic prowess. Due to her cultural upbringing, she's been reticent to use directive language, preferring instead to soften her ideas with phrases like, “Maybe we should think about…” After receiving feedback about increasing her gravitas, we started working together to use language that conveyed more authority while remaining true to her authentic style, (ex: “Based on my experience, I recommend…”) This combined her hard-earned wisdom and expertise with the inclusive style she valued. It proved to be a fertile sweet spot: demonstrating a willingness to listen and collaborate signals a commitment to achieving the best outcomes without being chained to personal ego—a meaningful sign of true gravitas.
This is a taste of the low hanging fruit that increases gravitas in any setting—some powerful first steps. But remember, if in doubt during the longer endeavor, personal authenticity outperforms all else.
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