Intelligence, excellent oral and written communication skills, poise, ability to reason are just some of the qualities of a good lawyer. However, one indispensable quality that can make or break your image as a fine lawyer is what we call gravitas.
People often confuse gravitas and charisma. But, charm is only closely related to personality. It represents your likability but not necessarily your ability to impact by influencing others. On the other hand, a person with gravitas has a unique way of leading or swaying the opinion of others.
These types of people can lead others regardless of their position in the hierarchy. They don’t have to be the manager or the boss to influence others. In addition, being the boss does not mean that they have inherent gravitas.
Good lawyers are highly persuasive, and they can easily lead and sway the decisions of others. If you are already a lawyer or an aspiring one, here’s the excellent news. Gravitas is not an inherent characteristic. It’s not inborn; thus, it can be developed and cultivated.
If you want to learn how you can achieve your gravitas, check out the information below as we delve deeper into the particulars of the characteristics you need to embody to be considered a good lawyer.
Stature
Posture, bearing, and body language play a significant role in the way people see you. In addition, how you conduct yourself and present yourself, especially in public, affects how people perceive you as an individual and as a business.
People who are bigger in size and height need to be more careful not to become too physically imposing. Why? Because their stature can be off-putting, and it can sometimes counter their intention. So there are times that they diminish their size by sinking into their immediate perimeter.
On the other hand, smaller people can surround themselves with taller subordinates to enhance their stature. One good example of this is Jack Welch. He is the legendary CEO of General Electric, and he is small in size and height, but he had the gravitas needed to propel the company forward.
Resonance
Even if you have impeccable communication skills, the tone of your voice still matters. Studies have shown that having a deeper and more resonant voice is more persuasive than having a higher pitch whenever speaking. Thus, deeper tones are needed to convey confidence when dealing with serious issues.
Higher pitches are considered to be more playful. So if you use a high tone during critical situations, it’s highly likely that people will not take you seriously. Conversely, knowing when to lower the register of your voice is key to sounding more professional and compelling.
Composure
Things will not always go as intended, and your ability to stay calm even if things are not going the way you want gives you a very professional and reliable aura. Nobody wants a lawyer who crumbles under pressure. Most clients prefer a lawyer who can professionally handle adverse situations.
Confidence
Confidence bordering on arrogance is off-putting, and it can impair even the best argument. Thus, having quiet confidence is critical. This trait makes you highly persuasive and gives you the upper hand in every situation.
Same with gravitas, confidence is not inherent. You need to develop it by stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on daunting challenges. By doing so, you get to trust that you can handle whatever situation.
Concern
Connecting with your clients and the people around you is necessary to win a case. Why? Because if you want people to care about what you have to say, you need to show that you care about them by acknowledging and understanding their circumstances, thoughts and feelings.
John Maxwell has said, “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” Thus, empathy and observance are vital traits in showing that you care.
Focus
We all know that having scattered objects, tasks, or ideas create confusion. Thus, a good lawyer is someone who can focus and prioritize what’s important. They do not bother with the details that do not concern them. Instead, they focus on what’s significant.
Restraint
Lawyers with gravitas know when to speak and when not to speak. Of course, there will be times when they are driven in a corner or pushed on the edge. But they know when to communicate and how to communicate. They know how to keep their comments correct, concise and direct.
Conclusion
Developing the traits listed above will help cultivate your gravitas. Try to practice these traits daily to jumpstart your journey towards becoming a good lawyer. However, if you are unsure and still need further guidance, check out elitelawyermanagement.com for more information.