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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Gravitas summary
Caroline Goyder
Communicate with Confidence, Influence and Authority
20 mins
Brief summary
Gravitas by Caroline Goyder reveals techniques for gaining confidence and communicating with poise. It explores the art of harnessing one’s authentic voice to influence and inspire, offering practical tools for impactful expression.
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Gravitas
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Perfect the three inner pillars of personal authority
Gravitas – the quality that makes others trust and respect you – is built on seven key principles that anyone can develop. The first three principles establish the internal foundation needed for effective communication.
To start, know yourself. This principle is about tuning into your thoughts, feelings, and physical presence. Like an actor preparing for a role, you need to understand your own inner landscape. The “FOFBOC” technique – short for Feet on Floor, Bum on Chair – helps ground you physically. If you can, try it now: take a seat, then feel the points where your body contacts the chair and floor, drawing your attention to these connection points. This creates a physical stability that translates into emotional steadiness, which others can sense when you speak.
Next, teach people how to treat you by balancing status and connection. Think of this as having different gears you can shift between. Sometimes you need to be the pilot of the plane, exuding authority. Other times you’re the friendly flight attendant displaying warmth. Try this simple experiment: say a sentence with your palms facing down and notice how your voice naturally drops, sounding more authoritative. Then say the same sentence with your palms facing up and hear how your tone becomes more approachable. This awareness gives you control over how others perceive you in any situation.
The third principle is finding your voice – communicating with originality and clarity. This means sifting ideas through your own intelligence rather than regurgitating others’ thoughts. When speaking, use short, punchy sentences and pause at natural breaks. This “speaking in verse” technique does two things: it gives your words room to land with your audience and gives you time to breathe and think. By breaking down complex thoughts into digestible phrases, you make your ideas accessible and memorable.
These first three principles establish your internal foundation. By knowing yourself, managing how others perceive you, and finding your authentic voice, you’ll create the base upon which powerful communication is built.
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What is Gravitas about?
Gravitas (2014) is your guide to becoming a powerful speaker. It provides a formula for gravitas through seven practical principles that balance knowledge, purpose, and passion. Its techniques can be applied to presentations, meetings, interviews, and virtually any situation where you need others to truly listen to what you have to say.
Who should read Gravitas?
- Professionals seeking to enhance their communication skills
- Public speakers and presenters hoping to refine their delivery
- Anyone looking to speak with confidence and impact
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