I want to start this episode with a question that really made me pause. Have you ever been in a room where someone just has that presence? They don’t dominate, they don’t raise their voice, but somehow they carry weight and people lean in.

In this episode of Leadership Insights Book Club, I unpack the idea of gravitas through Dr Rebecca Newton’s book Authentic Gravitas, and honestly, it completely changed how I think about leadership presence. This is about letting go of what we think leadership should look like and understanding what actually makes people stand out in a meaningful, lasting way.

What You’ll Discover

- The Myths Holding You Back: Gravitas isn’t something you’re born with, it doesn’t require confidence, and it’s not about charisma.

- What Real Presence Actually Is: Authentic gravitas comes from focusing on others, not performing importance or trying to stand out.

- How to Build It Practically: From inviting honest feedback to choosing courage over waiting for confidence, small shifts create real impact.

What really stayed with me is how freeing this is. So many people, especially in healthcare, assume leadership presence belongs to the loudest or most confident person in the room. But this completely flips that idea. It’s not about performing confidence or having all the answers. It’s about clarity, curiosity, integrity, and the courage to step forward even when you don’t feel ready.

There’s also something deeper here about self-leadership. If we never create space to think, to reflect, to be intentional about how we show up, we end up reacting instead of leading. And that distinction matters more than we often realise. Even small moments of reflection can shift how we show up in conversations, decisions, and ultimately, the impact we have.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you have “that presence” or felt like your impact doesn’t quite match your intention, this episode will challenge that in the best way. Share it with someone who’s stepping into leadership or finding their voice.

Connect with Healthcare Leadership Conversations

Instagram: instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations

LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie): linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie

Website: healthcareleadershipconversations.com

Episode Resources

Authentic Gravitas: Who Stands out and Why by Dr Rebecca Newton.

Gravitas Is a Quality You Can Develop, Harvard Business Review by Rebecca Newton.

Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts.