
Pinpointing Problems
How To Spot & Bridge Gaps
As a leader, your team's ability to command respect, drive decisions, and inspire confidence directly impacts business success. When gravitas is lacking, opportunities are missed, influence weakens, and credibility suffers—affecting client relationships, sales, team performance, and the ability to drive positive change, i.e., gain support for ideas that lead to improvements or transformation of a breakthrough nature. It also blocks high performance and career progression. These insights offer practical strategies to identify, develop, and elevate these essential qualities.​​
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While you likely have clear views on specific shortcomings in some individuals, it's just as likely that many in your team already demonstrate these qualities—albeit at a modest or good (but not great) level. For most, improving gravitas, impact, and influence will come from marginal gains across several areas, rather than fixing a single issue.
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You’ll probably want to work with individuals one-on-one to close these gaps. The checklist below is designed to help—use it as a prompt to identify where support is needed. Click any category to take a deeper dive.
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Making Your Image Count
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Do they look mediocre? Do they project the image of a worker bee—or a king or queen bee? A casual image can be interpreted as a casual attitude, in contrast to a more serious one - a level up - representing everything that’s best in class.
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Alignment with seniority level. Do people look like they belong at the level at which they’re required to operate or aspire to move up to? As someone’s level of seniority rises, they need to look increasingly senior rather than a level removed.
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Colours Count... Certain clothing colours create a more sophisticated and credible image.
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Manners Maketh the Man or Woman! Politeness sets people apart in professional settings.
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Their LinkedIn Photo shapes perceptions, both internally and externally.​
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Speaking & Articulation
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Non-native speakers. Often misunderstood or hard to follow.
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Monotone delivery. A standout problem area that dulls impact.
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Low credibility. Highly credible. Their content maybe good but is it compromised by their delivery?
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Expression & emphasis. This is what separates the influential from the forgettable.
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Knowing when to shut up. Failure to do so at the right time diminishes impact.​
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Structuring for Impact
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Beginning, middle and end. Basic as it may seem, some people fail to structure their message. A logical flow builds confidence and credibility.
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Adding weight to their case. To be convincing, people must substantiate their points.
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Be authentic & impactful. This fosters connection and trust
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How to amplify their message. Messaging must be relevant, well-reasoned, and backed up. Otherwise, people think: “So what?”
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Clear calls to action. How clear are they about what they’re asking others to do?​
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Assertiveness & Impact
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How their personality impacts influence. Presence isn’t neutral; it either adds to or detracts from their authority.
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Too strong, too weak. Being overly forceful loses trust. Being a bully will ultimately lead to isolation. Too passive, and they’re overlooked.
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Likeability. People are more likely to choose to work with those they like.
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Rapport & small talk are underestimated. Younger or more reserved individuals often miss this. Without it, interactions lack connection.
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Exhibiting authority. Are they clear, composed, and confident?​
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Presenting to People
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92% of people are distracted. Room scanning, inclusion and interaction are essential.
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How to capture and maintain interest. People need to be high in relevance. Strong openings, sharp structure, and energy throughout.
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Most people fail to properly check in and out of meetings. This is critical for establishing connection and relevance. Without it, you miss the chance to frame purpose and leave a lasting impression.
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Structure matters. A pre-requisite for presenting with confidence and impact.
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On Zoom: Key differences. Less feedback, more friction. People need to dial up clarity, warmth, and presence.​
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Building Self-Confidence
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The cornerstone of gravitas, impact & influence. Without confidence, they'll never realise their full potential.
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Seven ways to build self-confidence. Different people have different needs.
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Hacks to elevate confidence. Quick easy wins to make them stronger.
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