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GET SERIOUS Older Men Behavioural skills Working effectively with others Most of us have, at some point, experienced the challenge of not being able to express ourselves effectively. That heart-sinking moment of knowing that we didn’t quite do ourselves justice in a meeting or presentation. Or that annoying feeling when the point we’ve just made is brushed aside, only to be fervently agreed with when made by someone else. In an increasingly informal age, where social media, text- speak and one-line emails have become the norm, it is ironic that ‘gravitas’, a quality traditionally associated with formality, is becoming increasingly important. In the rush of corporate life, more and more employees are expected to display it earlier and earlier in their careers. Yet despite being an important skill, it is often misunderstood, which can be a challenge for talented treasurers who want to get to the very top of their organisation. Gravitas is often perceived as an inherent trait, normally associated with silver-haired, GET SERIOUS older men. This assumption can act as an invisible barrier GRAVITAS IS AN IMPORTANT SKILL THAT CAN ENABLE YOU to talented employees who TO COMMAND RESPECT AND GET PROMOTED. ANTOINETTE have the potential to reach DALE HENDERSON EXPLAINS HOW TO ACQUIRE IT the boardroom, but don’t fit this ‘type’. If we are really to tackle the lack of diversity at senior levels, it is critical that we address the ‘gravitas myth’. build stronger relationships, gravitas. It is also true that seriousness, solemnity, Why is gravitas win more business, get everyone has the potential dignity and importance. important? promoted more quickly to develop it, with the right It denotes a certain substance Gravitas is a vital quality and get better results. support and guidance. or depth of personality that that talented employees The term comes up elicits a feeling of respect need to have if they want frequently during appraisals, Defining gravitas and trust in others. The to move up the career ladder delivered as a throwaway The word ‘gravitas’ has its word is also linked to ‘gravity’, and maintain their position line to an aspiring leader, roots in ancient Rome and a centrifugal force that keeps at the top. People with who is told they ‘must was one of the virtues that you grounded, and ‘gravitate’, gravitas lead better, present IMAGES DETTMER/IKON OTTO ILLUSTRATION: develop gravitas in order Romans were expected to an energy that attracts people better, communicate better to advance’ without any possess to fulfil their role in to you. and network better. In a practical advice on how to society, along with pietas, As part of my research competitive environment, develop it. The reality is that dignitas and virtus. Gravitas into leadership and gravitas, leaders who have gravitas few people are born with is translated as weight, I interviewed and modelled 56 The Treasurer June 2015 www.treasurers.org/thetreasurer a range of business and DEVELOPING GRAVITAS openness and sincerity in political leaders, with the most Western countries, aim of turning this intangible Here are six tips for developing your own style of gravitas: while conveying lack of quality into a skill that can not respect across most of Asia. only be learnt, but accelerated 1. Become self-aware – understand your unique strengths and Presenting yourself in today’s emerging leaders. areas of development. Ask people for feedback on when you with gravitas in a global While it is clear that there are have demonstrated gravitas and learn how to replicate that in environment requires an as many interpretations of more challenging situations. appreciation of international gravitas as there are successful 2. Hone your expertise – become an expert in your area of work. business etiquette, combined leaders, what I did find is that Find a ‘niche’ that’s uniquely ‘yours’ and create opportunities with an ability to develop to demonstrate it as part of your role. people with gravitas share a rapport with people from 3. Convey authenticity – be true to yourself and reveal more of number of internal qualities diverse backgrounds. As your ‘best self’ at work, rather than trying too hard or emulating that reflect their beliefs, someone else. Stephen R Covey said in values and personal identity, 4. Cultivate presence – practise the skill of ‘being present’, The 7 Habits of Highly and external qualities that focusing your mind on the people around you, rather than Effective People, one of the determine how they present getting distracted. Develop an open and energised posture that key steps to success is to themselves to the outside emanates ease and ‘lights up’ the room. “seek first to understand, world and are experienced 5. Forge connections – broaden and deepen your professional then to be understood”. by others. network, seek out mutually beneficial opportunities with your For organisations looking This enabled me to develop contacts and develop the skill of rapport. to build gravitas in their the Gravitas Wheel©, a 6. Build projection – learn how to ‘switch on’ and amplify your people, the Gravitas Wheel© six-point model to enable message by using your mindset, voice and body language so provides a consistent individuals to explore their that even the largest audience gives you its undivided attention. framework to define, assess personal strengths and which and monitor the development areas, if further developed, of its constituent parts, while would enhance their knowledge, experience best self, expressing taking into consideration leadership style and enable and capabilities; a desire yourself confidently to cultural variations. In them to communicate with to become an expert the largest audiences. defining gravitas, it is critical greater gravitas. in a chosen field; and that an organisation sets out The internal qualities an ability to share your The importance a supporting framework, of gravitas include: expertise eloquently. of gravitas in a which takes note of cultural • Self-awareness: an • Authenticity: an global environment differences, while providing acknowledgment of your ability to remain true to Knowing how to develop and a common objective of values, beliefs, identity your values and beliefs portray yourself with gravitas what having gravitas in that and purpose; recognition irrespective of external is particularly important organisation means from a GET SERIOUS of your strengths and factors; and a commitment in a global environment, leadership perspective. limitations; and an ongoing to acting consistently where individuals are drive for self-development. and characteristically required to make an impact, • Expertise: an in all situations. communicate effectively and appreciation of, and influence decision-making belief in, your unique The external qualities of across different languages, gravitas include: countries and cultures. Antoinette Dale Henderson is a leadership • Presence: an energy that An example of the communications coach, emanates from a person; challenges associated with trainer and author of Boardroom facts and the ability to attract operating effectively in a Leading with Gravitas. • Less than 25% of She also founded training attention and make an multicultural environment and development company board members of impact through physical is the array of idioms used Zomi Communications. FTSE 100 companies appearance, body language to describe different skills. www.zomicommunications.com are women¹ and voice. For example, someone • Connection: an affinity failing to get to the point in • More than half of with people; and the art the Norwegian and Czech FTSE 100 companies 1 Cranfield’sFemale FTSE Board Report 2014 of building networks languages would be described (www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/ftse) have no non-white and relationships, as ‘walking around hot 2 A study of the top 10,000 executives published board members² creating rapport and porridge’, whereas in German in 2014 – co-authored by Trevor Phillips and Professor Richard Webber, of King’s College communicating they would be ‘speaking London (www.green-park.co.uk/press-release- • New businesses eloquently with a broad around hot mush’. Non-verbal britains-competitiveness-risk-deep-diversity- have 8.37% female range of audiences. communication can also deficit-says-new-study) directors on average³ 3 Research from www.approvedindex.com, with • Projection: an ability be a minefield, with direct more detail at www.treasurers.org/start-ups- to ‘switch on’ your eye contact demonstrating exclude-women-their-boards www.treasurers.org/thetreasurer June 2015 The Treasurer 57.
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