Do you have the gravitas to lead in 2025?

Do any of the following statements ring true for you?

• I go into a meeting with senior leaders and have nothing to say.
• I try to talk in meetings but feel anxious and can’t get the right words out.
• I talk but people don’t listen.
• I’m worried no one sees the work I’m putting in.

For most people in leadership positions, at least some (if not all) of the above have felt like an issue at some stage in their career. The delicate balance of doing great work, and being duly credited for that work, doesn’t always come easy – especially when you lack the courage to showcase exactly what you’re capable of bringing to the table.

Be it bouts of imposter syndrome, hitting a mental wall, or navigating the difficulties of being an introvert in an extrovert-dominated workplace, all of these situations can feel very stressful and prevent you from sharing valuable insights effectively.

As we move into this new year, there’s no better time to commit to overcoming these challenges so you can step into a version of you that is more aligned with your highest potential as a leader.

Squeaky wheels get attention, not influence

It’s natural to equate confidence and recognition in the workplace with a loud presence, yet this is certainly not the case. Sure, a squeaky wheel will get attention, however the attention rarely generates influence or impact.

What you really want is that immensely valuable combination of courage, visibility and insight. This means being seen – not for the noise you make, but the gravitas you embody.  

Gravitas can never come from performance alone. It has to come from alignment of substance and performance. Substance is the depth, authenticity, and meaningful qualities that support your gravitas. It gives weight and credibility to your presence, words and actions, and is a genuine reflection of your competence and value as a leader.

A few questions to help you evaluate your substance in the workplace include:

• What are my values and am I reflecting them?
• What unique insights am I contributing in this moment?
• Can I actively listen to others and respond with thoughtful questions?
• Am I connecting with my team and peers in meaningful ways?

Very few people will remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel. This makes empathy, perspective taking, and the ability to connect with others some of the most valuable skills you can develop to enhance your gravitas in both your professional and personal life.

Combining these emotional intelligence skills with your cognitive strengths is how you build influence and impact. Your presence is not just performative…it’s substantive.

Developing skills to enhance your gravitas

As an executive coach for many years, I’ve been fortunate to be at the forefront of many cutting edge evidence-based leadership strategies. Recent evidence highlights the power of self-awareness and emotional intelligence (qualities that enable leaders to be trusted, respected and heard) in fostering gravitas. Advanced psychometric tools can help you identify the specific challenges that are preventing you from building gravitas at work, so you can target the skills needed to overcome them.

Drawing on over two decades of experience in the SES, and coaching SES and EL leaders, I’ve developed the Leadership Strategies Series. This is a pathway for public sector leaders to combine their courage with substance and impact.

The Essentials level is packed full of insights and practical tools, and provides the vital first steps to address challenges such as imposter syndrome and mental blocks, and replace them with the courage to:

• focus on what matters
• ask the right questions
• own your authenticity
• embrace your values
• showcase substance and performance
• build gravitas as a leader

The Enhanced level takes these foundations further by deepening leadership capabilities that directly embody gravitas – such as balancing wellbeing and performance to lead sustainably under pressure, and mastering collaboration to drive innovation and navigate high-stakes situations with courage and clarity.

Where the Essentials level helps you start your journey towards gravitas, the Enhanced level refines and strengthens these qualities and capabilities, giving you the tools to lead with substance, presence and influence in even the most challenging environments.

I will be running the Essentials level in May 2025 with the Enhanced level following in June. Spaces are limited to ensure personalised attention for all participants, so if you’re keen be sure to secure your spot soon.

Want to learn more? Go to Leadership Strategies Series or book a discovery call with me.