Tips for Developing Gravitas and Composure

If you want your people to stay calm under pressure, you have to show them how. We talk a lot about resilience...but when the heat’s on, most leaders are just using their game face to mask the internal turmoil. They look composed, but their team can feel the tension. Because no matter how much you try to control it, pressure leaks. True leadership resilience - the kind that earns trust and keeps people steady - comes from Grace Under Pressure. It’s not about pretending you’re fine. It’s about being fine. Deep down. When it counts most. So how do you get there? Here are two things that helped me become truly unflappable: 🔹 Hack 1: Bring perspective forward In the moment, every obstacle feels like a disaster. But ask yourself: “Will this matter in a week?” 9/10, the answer is no. And when you pull that longer-range perspective into the present, the panic subsides almost immediately. 🔹 Hack 2: Loosen your grip on job security The size of your fear response is linked to the threat it poses to your security: “What if this costs me my job?” But when you stop clinging to the role, you unlock clarity. Your scarcity mentality is subdued, leaving you free to be more creative and decisive. I trained myself to believe that if I ever lost my job, it would only be so that I was freed up to pursue the next - much better - opportunity. That mindset gave me calm, courage, and freedom. And paradoxically, it made me the kind of leader no one wanted to lose. So if you want to lead your team through chaos? ✔️ Learn to stay calm - on the inside ✔️ Get your fear in check ✔️ Lose the scarcity mindset ✔️ Use perspective to stop you from overreacting Grace Under Pressure doesn’t come naturally, it’s built over time. And the sooner you start training for it, the stronger your leadership becomes. Because when your team is staring down the fire, they don’t need you to give it any more oxygen...they need your composure to extinguish it.

Imagine standing at the pinnacle of your career, having achieved a coveted spot in the MIT Executive MBA program, only to be blindsided by one damaging piece of anonymous feedback in a 360 leadership evaluation: "Angelique needs to stop acting like a petulant child!" 🤬Angry and embarrassed, my first reaction was to ignore it. When my MIT-sponsored executive coach, who was reviewing all of my leadership assessment data, asked if I wanted to address it,  I said, “No. I know who wrote that. He just has it out for me,” 🤔But the more I thought about it, the more I had to admit there might be some truth to his comments.  A few months later, I brought it up. 🙄😤“You know what? I think there might be something to this feedback. Sometimes I get so frustrated at work that I roll my eyes or huff in exasperation.” While I think it is OK to get frustrated at work, I don’t like having these visible reactions that make me seem like I’m not in control of my emotions. And if I’m honest, in those moments, I don’t feel like I’m in control of my emotions, either. “I can see how these reactions leave a negative impression on my colleagues, so I would like to spend some time working on it.” So we did. And it changed everything. With my coach’s help, I was able to hone my ability to regulate my emotions and reclaim control even in the toughest of situations. I took what she taught me, and I put it into a step-by-step process that I call The Poker Face Playbook. ➡️Whether you roll your eyes, yell, slam doors, or burst into tears, uncontrolled displays of emotion can hinder your ability to feel confident and your ability to appear confident. Leaders need both, so if you struggle to keep your composure, you might try this process: 1️⃣Brainstorm Your Tough Situations. 2️⃣Develop an “Enjoy/Dread” List by reflecting on Why these situations impact you. 3️⃣Develop a Rescue Plan of strategies you could use to help you through. 4️⃣Test Out Your Rescue Plan. 5️⃣Debrief. 6️⃣Develop a One-page Summary of Your Plan for Reference. 🌟Get the detailed playbook and my personal examples in the newsletter: How I Learned to Keep My Composure In Tough Situations. 🔗Link in comments. #innovation #entrepreneurship #engineering #leadership #management #personaldevelopment

A couple leadership truths that I’ve learned in my career thus far: If you avoid tension, you enable dysfunction: Have the courage to confront and address issues early before they compound. Lead conversations with care, compassion, and brutal honesty. Burying problems lets cancers grow. All decisions have tradeoffs: Understand deeply what you must give up to move forward. Make choices wisely by calculating second and third-order consequences, and know that the perfect solution doesn’t exist. Don’t try to have it all. The day you stop learning is the day you stop leading: If you think you’ve got it all figured out, I’ve got news for you. The courage to admit doubts & re-examine assumptions unlocks evolution. Remaining intellectually humble and teachable is the master skill. You reap what you sow with hiring: If you don’t invest in attracting & developing top talent, mediocrity becomes the norm. Building a team of A-players is your highest leverage activity as a leader. True character is revealed under pressure: When stakes are high, leaders either rise up or shrink down. That’s when any facade breaks down. How you choose to respond in make-or-break moments defines you. If you want A-players, be an A-player: You set the tone. Your team mirrors your behaviors, standards, and operating rhythms. To attract eagles, you have to soar first. Losing emotional control loses respect: As pressure mounts, anchor yourself in stillness. Temper and composure inspire followership in storms. Losing your cool loses credibility. A loss of self-awareness = a loss of perspective: Honest self-reflection grounds you in reality and aligns your self-perception to how others experience you. Seek critiques. Identify blind spots. Get coaching. Understand your weaknesses and address them. #leadership #selfawareness #development #prmi #mortgage #businessacumen

Throughout my career, I've learned that communication is not only about the words we use but also about how we say them. I realized early on that the tone we set often determines the outcome of our interactions. For example, entering a room with a smile and a friendly wave creates an atmosphere of friendliness, confidence, and approachability, while a frown or visible frustration can create a negative impression. During my first project management role, I struggled with aggressive communication due to the high-pressure environment. However, a critical incident with a framer taught me the importance of maintaining composure and respect in all forms of communication. This experience made me realize the power of non-verbal cues and their ability to strengthen or weaken professional relationships. Improving these skills involves continuous self-awareness and learning from those who excel in non-verbal communication. Here are a few actionable tips: 🤝 Observe individuals who exemplify strong non-verbal communication. 🤝 Regularly seek feedback on your own non-verbal cues. 🤝 Practice maintaining eye contact and be mindful of your expressions. I believe that focusing on non-verbal cues has helped me enhance my professional interactions. What about you? Let's start a dialogue about the silent yet powerful language of non-verbal communication. 👇 #communication #nonverbalcommunication #feedback #language #interaction #mindful #practice #composure #leaders #businesstips #networking 

Life's a game, alright, but sometimes the pitches come in sideways, fast, and aimed straight for your kneecaps. Unexpected challenges are inevitable, but here's the secret weapon: your ability to stay calm and find solutions. Let's turn those curveballs into game-winning plays: 1. The Pause Button is Your Friend: Before diving headfirst into panic, take a DEEP breath (or three). A clear head makes better decisions. Assess the situation, identify the core issue, and formulate a plan. ♀️ 2. Channel Your Inner MacGyver: Remember that time you fixed your car with a shoelace and a bobby pin? Get creative! Think outside the box, leverage your resources, and come up with unconventional solutions. Who knows, you might invent the next big thing! 3. Positivity is Your Power-Up: It's easy to get bogged down by negativity. Instead, shift your focus to what you CAN control and the potential solutions. A positive mindset attracts opportunities and keeps you motivated. 4. Lean on Your Team: No one's an island (except maybe Robinson Crusoe, and even he had Friday!). Utilize your network, seek support from colleagues or mentors, and delegate tasks strategically. Together, you'll weather any storm. 5. Learn from Every Strikeout: Challenges are opportunities for growth. Analyze what went wrong, what you could have done differently, and use that knowledge to prevent future disasters. Every setback is a stepping stone to resilience. Remember, staying calm under pressure is a superpower! By developing these skills, you transform curveballs into chances to showcase your composure, ingenuity, and leadership. Who's ready to hit a home run? ⚾️

Remaining calm in a given situation does not mean you are complacent. It is quite the opposite. Remaining calm allows you to see clearly and stand in your power. The next time you are in a state of stress or panic, try this: 👇 🫁 Take Deep Breaths: Focus on your breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds and exhale through your mouth. This helps to calm your nervous system. 🌳 Ground Yourself: Pay attention to your surroundings. Notice the details around you—the colors, textures, and sounds. This can help bring you back to the present moment. 🌞 Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself that you are capable and strong. Repeat affirmations like, "I can handle this" or "I am in control." 🏆 Visualize Success: Imagine a positive outcome to the situation. Visualization can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety. 🔎 Focus on Solutions: Shift your mindset from the problem to finding a solution. This proactive approach can reduce feelings of helplessness. Practicing these steps can help you maintain composure, make better decisions, and handle challenges with grace and confidence.

Executive presence, deeply related to gravitas, has become a powerful tool for leaders seeking to make a lasting impact. It goes beyond mere confidence; it's an intangible quality that captivates, influences and inspires others. What are the key elements of executive presence, and how can it be unlocked and help to identify your true leadership potential? While not the main driver, confidence is the cornerstone of executive presence. It's about projecting an unwavering belief in yourself and your abilities that embraces your unique strengths, acknowledges your limitations, and exudes self-assurance in challenging situations. Confidence is a trait that people admire and inspires trust and respect among your peers. True executive presence lies in being genuine and authentic. People are naturally drawn to leaders who are transparent, honest, and unafraid to show vulnerability. When you can identify your values and align your actions with them, you embrace your true self and can begin to create connections with others that resonate with you and enhance your gravitas. A high level of emotional intelligence, or EQ, is crucial for establishing executive presence. To do this, you must be aware of your own emotions and understand the emotions of those around you. If you can't effectively manage interpersonal relationships, it will negatively impact your presence. Developing empathy, active listening skills, and the ability to adapt your communication style to different individuals and situations will serve every executive well. Effective communication is another critical need for executive presence. Mastering the art of articulating your thoughts clearly and succinctly is what can make you an outstanding communicator. Pay attention to non-verbal cues such as body language, tone, and gestures, as they play a significant role in conveying your message. Strive for concise and impactful communication that leaves a lasting impression on those you're speaking with or addressing. Executive presence is not a fixed trait; it requires ongoing development and growth. Cultivate a curious mindset, always seek feedback, and continuously work to refine your skills. Executives must embrace new challenges and pursue opportunities to expand their knowledge and expertise. They must do this in addition to managing and leading their business or profession. Gravitas is a potent force that distinguishes exceptional leaders from everyone else. When we commit to learning how to do it well, we can harness the power of our executive presence to inspire and influence those around us. Remember that executive presence is not about dominating or controlling others. It's about inspiring others to be their best. Pay attention to your gravitas and watch your leadership capabilities soar!   #ceos #leadership #gravitas #execution I help senior executives develop their gravitas and translate it into business success through strategy execution. DM me to set up a conversation.