Ying Ying Lee

Having gravitas at work means you are taken seriously, your contributions are considered important, and you are trusted and respected.

Gravitas increases your ability to persuade and influence and is likely to fuel the extent to which you rise in an organization. The organization also benefits: You’re more likely to add value if your voice is taken seriously.

Staying accountable to your own goals, dreams and vision for your life that creates the success.

So before you lash out at someone who has a different opinion– think. The ability to reason is what sets us apart, so we should do it more often. Set aside differences. Start learning about other points of view. Gather facts and make your own decisions. Then communicate ideas to solve problems instead of perpetuating or escalating them. Never resort to name calling or swearing. This just sets everything back even further. Try talking to the “other side.” And keep trying even if you get shut down.

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 don’t know whether to trust them.”