Based on your feedback, our 2026 International Women’s Day newsletter introduced many of you to a new term: Hepeated. The concept? Not new. Powrsuiters’ ideas regularly fall on deaf ears – until they’re repeated by a man.
The offending ears may not be intentionally tuning out; we’ve all been conditioned to underestimate the value of women’s contributions. One obvious example is the historical erasure of women from science. When an entire gender is written out of the history books, it embeds a belief that we haven’t added much to human advancement. FYI, we have – despite the many obstacles.
From history books to meeting rooms
Sadly, we’ll never know how much Mileva Marić-Einstein influenced ‘her husband’s’ work – she may have been the driving force. But it’s not just the brilliant women before us who suffered; the impact of minimising our input still lives on in meeting rooms today. It shapes what we believe – and who we underestimate.
Which brings us back to the colleague sitting next to you. Without even knowing it, your brain may filter out her ideas… Until you hear them again from a ‘credible’ source.
So, how does this all relate to gravitas?
The dictionary definition of gravitas is ‘seriousness and importance of manner, causing feelings of respect and trust in others’. Mmhmm, there’s that credibility again.
You can see why gravitas is an important trait in the modern workforce – and why the term is riddled with bias.
We’ve been led to believe that gravitas and masculinity go hand in hand. All that misplaced credit has made it oh so easy for our brains to assume that seriousness and importance only belong to those with a strong handshake, imposing stature and a deep, authoritative voice. It’s the same conditioning that leads most of us to picture a scientist as an old man with white hair and a lab coat.
There’s good news, though. The definition of gravitas is completely subjective, which means the traits we associate with it evolve as the world does. So, as women and other underrepresented groups have become more visible in positions of power and influence (and we start to rewrite everyone back into their rightful place in history), our collective perception of gravitas has started to change.
Poise, dignity and influence
We tend to know it when we see it. Gravitas is embodied by the person who oozes self-assurance; conveying calm, control and competence – especially under pressure. It’s the charismatic woman who walks into every room like she owns it. Or the quiet intellectual who commands attention every time they speak. It’s the person you turn to for considered, measured advice.
It’s Morgan Freeman, Viola Davis, David Attenborough, Helen Mirren. What it isn’t is one-size-fits-all.
That presents an opportunity for those of us who’d rather hug than handshake, and who refuse to lower our voices to sound more credible. 🙄 Because if we’re going to close the gender leadership gap, we can’t do it by changing who we are or faking it till we make it.
But first: The mindset behind gravitas
In our member-exclusive mini-masterclass on this topic, we deep dive into the underlying mindset behind gravitas: believing you deserve to be in the room. It’s not arrogant, it’s just recognising the value you add. Building well-earned self-assurance gives you the ability to calmly navigate challenges and complexities while providing a clear, guiding light for others. When you know you’re credible, others sense it too.
Yes, sometimes self-assurance is easier said than exuded. That’s why we have to be intentional with our words and actions – even the ones we direct at ourselves. Powrsuit members have access to a library of high-impact exercises to help understand, convey and advocate for their value, but all of us can immediately try these simple tactics:
1. Own your calendar
Too many of us still let others control our calendars – a job they’re more than willing to take on. We know that ‘no’ is one of the most powerful words in our vocabulary, so this is your reminder: just because you’re invited doesn’t mean you have to go. It’s your time, so you decide how best to use it. You won’t look rude, you’ll look like you are in control of your schedule – because you are.
2. Turn up on time
We love you and your ability to juggle. But. Frequently arriving late and frazzled or cancelling at the last minute makes you appear (and feel) disorganised. If it doesn’t look like you can handle your current workload, people will rightly question your ability to handle bigger responsibilities. Block in some gaps between your back-to-backs, be upfront about your hard stops, take a few deep breaths if you’re feeling flustered… and don’t begin every conversation by complaining about how busy you are.
3. Honesty over transparency
Yes, there is such a thing as being too transparent. Having gravitas means knowing the best self to bring to each situation. It doesn’t mean pushing your feelings to one side or false bravado. It does mean building situational awareness and a professional board of directors to work out your fears and frustrations so you can front up when needed in a strong state of mind.
4. Be visibly engaged
People with gravitas are visibly present and engaged – look at how Oprah maintains eye contact during every interview. Online? Camera on. Talking to a blank screen can be hard work, and turning your video off will be interpreted as checking out – not the vibe you want to convey. If it’s worth attending, then it’s worth being prepared, focused and ready to contribute.
Gravitas, like science, was never the exclusive realm of men. To borrow from Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, you, too, can learn to “carry yourself with authority” – even if you love impractical shoes, scroll Insta too much or have a secret MAFS addiction.
While we can’t control historical wrongs and current biases, we can all walk into every room believing (and acting like) we deserve to be there. After all, we’ve come from a long line of women who’ve changed the world by doing exactly that.
30 second action:
Identify one person this week (on TV or in real life) who conveys gravitas – and the specific characteristics they embody.
