Want More Credibility, Trust & Personal Impact in Your Relationships & Your Business?

It seems hardly anyone in business is immune to what's happening in the world today.

Author Neil Devine was recently telling me how he likes the recession:


Having written the bestselling book How to Build Your Reputation, I know there is no better time for action than a global recession. The light shines through!

With a huge number of job losses, career realignment, vulnerability and saturation of talent in the labour force, you need to leverage the FOUR things your competition cannot duplicate or replicate:

1. YOU!
2. YOUR NETWORK!
3. YOUR REPUTATION!
4. YOUR RELATIONSHIPS!
   

That means:

• Defining your personal value proposition
• Crafting your personal brand
  
• Positioning yourself properly with the right stakeholders, markets and influencers
• Raising your profile with strategic networking
• Building high-trust relationships with the right people
• Increasing your personal gravitas
  
• Networking a level above what you currently need
• Planning the job after your next job NOW!
  
• Making yourself the obvious and standout choice for what you do.

If you're not thinking of these things, you're either dumb, complacent, immune or ignorant. Take your pick!

I'm certainly working through these things. I'm not immune. What I do is brilliant! But it's a discretionary spend.

So I'm giving people reasons to choose me, book me, talk to me, engage me, pay me and at the very least, not forget me.

If you want to set up a coaching call with me for NO FEE so you can talk through your challenges and get my insight on them, there is a way!

Email me and I'll tell you how.

Labels: gravitas, reputation

Is gravitas an outdated quality? Some people think it is. They say that in this era of sound bites and celebrity, gravitas just doesn't have a place anymore. Instead the focus should be firmly on presentation, spin and the quick win.

We put this question to Sir Bernard Ingham, Margaret Thatcher's former press secretary, and he was emphatic in his response: "We need more gravitas today; not less. Gravitas suggests a seriousness of intent and a strong vision and direction. In these gloomy times it is people with gravitas who will win through and stand the test of time."

Commenting on his former boss he added: "She had an unwavering confidence in her beliefs and wasn't afraid to make the difficult decisions. She had strong prinicples and a clear vision of what she wanted to achieve. This didn't always make her popular, but it did earn her respect. And that respect lasts to this day."

In our survey Margaret Thatcher , along with figures such as Winston Churchill, are topping the list of who top business leaders think demonstrate the highest levels of gravitas.

But would their styles fit in the modern world?

Sir Bernard thinks they do. He points to Thatcher's ability to perform for the cameras and deliver the killer sound-bite (remember the U turn if you want to speach?). He refers to the brilliance of Churchill's oratory and his ability to inject his humanity and humour into some very serious issues.

Our interview with Sir Bernard has got us thinking. In our book the 7 Laws of Personal Gravitas we're going to re-define gravitas for the 21st century. Sure it will take elements from those great historical characters; but we'll also examine how figures like Barack Obama, newcomer "hockey mom" Sarah Palin, Hilary Clinton and John McCain are all trying to capture that seriousness of intent with a modern and approachable face.

We agree with Sir Bernard that personal gravitas has probably never been so important. With a chilly economic wind blowing, it is one of the keys to surving the storm and winning through in the longer-term.

With over 130 responses to our Gravitas Survey from all kinds of people in the world of business, politics, performance and leadership, one thing is becoming clear on the subject of gravitas. It is a complex subject. That's why in our forthcoming book, we'll be distilling all of this research into The 7 Laws of Personal Gravitas. We've already identified what they are, and this has been reinforced by the research. When it comes to actually defining gravitas, we've been getting some incredible answers. Here are a few:

Physical: presence, stance, impact, often initially from physical dimensions particularly height.
Intellectual: presence, experience, erudition, seriousness - gravitas isn't trivial or flippant.
Organisational: seniority, authority.
Sharon Pink

"Being worthy of respect"
Phil Alexander

"Dignity, being taken seriously, having respect, a strong persona, a presence, positive character"
Andrew Earnshaw

"It's that "X-Factor" of charisma, confidence, perceived wisdom, physical presence, which means that when you walk into a room people look and when you speak, they listen."
Rory Murray

We'll share a few more with you over the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, two things are clear from these answers.

1. Gravitas is not just one thing. It is complex and multi-layered.
   
2. It is a desirable quality to be coveted by anyone who wishes to make their mark and make a difference in any field.

In our forthcoming book, we will be 'blowing the lid' on how to get gravitas. To get ahead of the game and pre-order your copy now, click here>>

Labels: gravitas