So what gives people gravitas? “A sense of weight, importance and power,” said Brett. “Someone serious, whose words you listen to, someone you trust and respect.” And those who didn’t possess it? “Lightweights, people who talk too much or joke around. Or worse, the ones who spin the truth so you ...

• Gravitas is associated with ideas of weight, influence, or authority, and also sobriety and seriousness (From its Latin root, gravis, meaning heavy).

• Physical attributes such as height, attractiveness, and tone and volume of voice can lend gravitas to the way people carriy themselves or...