FUTURE TALENT November - January 2019/2020 | Page 71

PERSONAL TRAINING
likely to shout about their accomplishments or the
value they’ve added, leading to their work at times
to be overlooked) and are less likely to speak up
about their goals and what they want for their careers
(which at times can be wrongly misinterpreted as
lower ambition).
For some women, it’s important to speak up more
about their goals and share the value they add, but
the research showed men and women are equally
able to have authentic gravitas.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LEADING
WITH GRAVITAS: FOR INDIVIDUALS, THEIR
STAFF AND THEIR ORGANISATIONS?
People with authentic gravitas are often described
as being able to “lead the room”. Leadership means
you’re influencing and facilitating others to achieve
collective goals. Authentic gravitas doesn’t just
personally make you feel better because people
regard you highly or listen to you more. It’s about being
able to lead as your best, authentic self. This means
you add greater value and make a stronger, positive
impact on the wider context and attainment of team
or organisational goals.
ARE THERE PRACTICAL STEPS PEOPLE CAN
TAKE TO DEVELOP GRAVITAS RIGHT NOW?
In advance of going into your next meeting, before
you start thinking about what you’re going to say,
clarify your goals for impact by asking yourself: “How
do I want people to think, feel, and act as a result of
this encounter with me?” Be certain of your key
messages by asking yourself, “if nothing else, what
do I want people to remember?”
People with authentic gravitas are intentional about
their encounters – they are not just running from one
meeting to the next. It’s only after we are certain of
these goals for impact that we should start thinking
P
about what we’re actually going to say. This practice
can be done in just a few minutes but can make a
big difference.
AT A TIME OF DISRUPTION, HOW CAN YOU
LEAD WITH AUTHENTICITY AND
INTEGRITY, WHILE STAYING COMMITTED
TO CHANGE?
The pace and complexity of work means it’s easy to
feel you’re just reacting to one thing after another.
Being authentic means intentionally acting in
alignment with your values. Spend a few minutes
writing down what really matters to you. Ask yourself,
“if someone were to describe me to another about
the kind of leader/professional I am, what would I
want them to say?”
Having integrity and being authentic isn’t about
being fixed – it’s about aligning our intentions with
our impact on those around us. We can have integrity,
be authentic and yet flexible and open to change. In
fact, to make sure we have the impact on others we
want to have, we actually need to change to keep
closing that gap.
COULD YOU GIVE US ANY EXAMPLES
OF HIGH-PROFILE PEOPLE WHO LEAD
WITH GRAVITAS?
People often cite Nelson Mandela, former president
of South Africa, as an example of a leader who
demonstrated authentic gravitas. It’s not about being
the loudest, most dominant person in the room, but
about knowing your values and beliefs, being
clear about your goals for impact and having the
courage to lead.
Authentic Gravitas: who stands out and why? is
published by Penguin Random House.
It’s not about being the
loudest, most dominant
person in the room
November – January 2019 // 71