Glossary
How you carry yourself under pressure: calm and steady. It shows in not rushing.
When senior executives were asked what “executive presence” is made of, the biggest part by far was gravitas: how you carry yourself under pressure. It shows in tempo. The person a little slower than the room is read as the one in control of it.
When researchers surveyed senior executives about what “executive presence” is made of, the biggest component by far was gravitas: how you carry yourself under pressure, not how polished you are. Communication came second and appearance a distant third. Gravitas shows in tempo. The person who moves and speaks a little slower than the room is read as the one in control of it.
Gravitas shows in small physical habits. Walking without hurry. Sitting back rather than perched forward. Letting a question hang for a second before answering instead of filling the gap. Taking up normal space at the table instead of shrinking to the edge. None of this is dominance. It is simply not broadcasting that you are waiting for permission.