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Cultivating Gravitas Through Presence, Impact, and Authority
Overview
Gravitas isn’t something you’re born with – it’s something you build. At the heart of executive presence, gravitas combines depth, credibility, and calm authority. This guide supports coaching clients to develop gravitas by strengthening three overlapping areas: Presence, Impact, and Authority.
🎯 1. Define the Model
- Gravitas (Core): The weight and credibility you bring into a room. It's how others trust your judgement and listen when you speak.
- Presence: Being grounded, attentive, and fully in the moment. Embodying calm, confidence, and relatability.
- Impact: Influencing how others think, feel and act. It’s about storytelling, framing ideas, and inspiring change.
- Authority: Earned expertise, decisiveness, and confidence in action. It's the trust people place in your capability.
Use a Venn diagram to show these four elements and their overlaps visually.
👥 2. Coaching Session Format
Session 1: Foundation & Self-Assessment
- Explore the gravitas model
- Self-assess confidence levels in each area (Presence, Impact, Authority)
- Discuss what gravitas means to the client and why it matters to them
- Set coaching goals and desired outcomes
Session 2: Deep Dive into Presence
- Explore moments when the client felt grounded and confident
- Practice mindfulness and presence-building exercises (e.g., body language, breathwork, active listening)
- Observe and reflect on real-life interactions
- Assign presence journaling or reflection tasks
Session 3: Deep Dive into Impact
- Identify key communication moments (presentations, meetings, pitches)
- Practice storytelling, persuasive speaking, and framing techniques
- Explore how the client influences emotion and action in others
- Assign a practice activity to refine their message
Session 4: Deep Dive into Authority
- Discuss where the client feels most competent and why
- Build decision-making confidence
- Practise assertive communication (clarity, decisiveness, tone)
- Identify knowledge gaps and strategies to strengthen expertise
Session 5: Integration & Reflection
- Review growth in each area
- Identify overlap zones: Presence + Impact, Presence + Authority, Impact + Authority
- Link these to moments of strong gravitas
- Practise scenarios where gravitas is needed
- Co-create a personal gravitas action plan
🪜 3. Ongoing Practices for Clients
- Daily check-ins: "How am I showing up today?"
- Weekly review: What did I do that projected gravitas this week?
- Practise silence and pause in conversations
- Read or listen to speakers with strong gravitas and note techniques
- Role-play high-stakes conversations with a peer or coach
💬 4. Final Reflection Questions
- When do I feel most in my gravitas?
- What does the room feel like when I walk in?
- How do I want others to describe my presence?
- What story am I telling with my words and actions?
- What small habit can I build today to strengthen my gravitas?
💡 Conclusion
Gravitas is a skill. It grows with intention, practice, and self-awareness. By working through this model, clients will unlock a more influential, confident, and impactful version of themselves.