EP 122 - Beena Kavalam, Executive Coach: Got Gravitas? How to Grade and Grow Yours

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com

**EPISODE best watched on the 97% Effective YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective **

Ever been told you need to develop your “gravitas,” and then given no explanation of what that means -- or how you improve it? In this episode of 97% Effective, host Michael Wenderoth interviews Beena Kavalam, executive coach, founder of Gravitas360 Consulting and “Indian Jersey girl.” They discuss what gravitas is, how it differs from executive presence, and offer practical techniques that will help you own the room and elevate how you are seen at work. Beena offers specific tips for women and people of color, and how to increase your gravitas in virtual environments. Start this episode by taking Beena’s “Grade your Gravitas” self-assessment, then listen (and watch!) their wide-ranging conversation – and you’ll put yourself on the path to dramatically grow your gravitas.

SHOW NOTES:

• Beena’s backstory: Why she focuses on gravitas and her mission to change one million lives
• Grade your Gravitas with Beena’s self-assessment (link below)
• What is gravitas, why it’s important and Beena’s 4 C’s of gravitas
• How Gravitas differs from Executive Presence
• One size does not fit all: Examples of diverse leaders with gravitas
• The two biggest myths people have when it comes gravitas
• Thinking in terms of “the gravitas gradient” and dialing it up or down
• Getting practical: key steps to improving your gravitas
• Ways to shift from negative to positive self talk, but still leads you to “put in the work”
• Using the 4-7-8 technique to calm yourself and increase your emotional steadiness
• 3 Practical Techniques: The “power of the pause,” bottom lining and focusing on 2-3 supporting points
• Practice! And how to talk to yourself to reinforce positive neural pathways
• Speaking on the fly and navigating “impromptu” situations when you are put on the spot
• Powerful tips on building gravitas in virtual environments: Camera on, leaning in, standing up and Beena the bio major geeks out on “ventral fronting”
• Michael recommends you find 2-3 people you know how can assess you with Beena’s “Grade your Gravitas” tool
• What’s different for women and people of color when it comes to gravitas: “Don't shrink – be direct, but add empathy”
• “Indian Jersey Girl” explained

 

BIO AND LINKS:

Beena Kavalam is an executive coach and leadership consultant who helps high-performing leaders grow their gravitas, strengthen their executive presence, and lead with influence in today’s complex business environments. As the founder of Gravitas360 Consulting, she has coached hundreds of leaders across Fortune 500 companies, emerging startups, and mission-driven organizations. Her work focuses on helping leaders become visible, credible, and impactful — without compromising who they are.

• Watch this episode on video: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective
• Beena’s “Grade your Gravitas” self-assessment: https://gravitas360consulting.kit.com/gravitasquiz
• Beena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beenakavalam/
• Beena’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeenaKavalam
• Beena’s website: www.gravitas360.com
• Positive Intelligence: https://www.positiveintelligence.com
• When “positive self-talk” works – and when It doesn’t! Summary of the research by Professor Don Moore @ Haas School of Business EP#38 “How to Be Perfectly Confident” on 97% Effective: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/97-effective/id1646325886?i=1000615107188
• “The Power of Improv to Elevate your Communication, Clarity and Connection” EP#118 with Kesinee Yip & Kevin Weinstein on 97% Effective https://tinyurl.com/59z9f46k
• Research: Why having your camera on signals engagement and increases how others see you as a leader: https://tinyurl.com/yc3k3c5m
• PIE: What you’re Missing (Peformance Image and Exposure explained, with examples) – EP#64 on 97% Effective: