As the credit crunch hits hard and 'the fat lady' of world recession begins singing, are there any opportunities or upsides? It's hard to stand out as a professional in a cluttered, noisy marketplace, without giving some thought to your personal brand. If you want to be the stand out choice, building your personal brand helps people come to you. If you're not familiar with the idea of personal branding, take a look at this quick slide show by one of the world leading personal branding experts.

Personal Gravitas could just be your greatest reputational asset.

However, it is a somewhat misunderstood term. Moreover, there is still some contention as to whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. What we do know is this:

Cream rises to the top of the milk.

In the same way, those people with a depth of character, a serious credibility and a compelling personality seem to...

• Rise to the top of their professions.
• Assume positions of major influence.
• Accelerate their career.
• Acquire the best reputations.
• Attract the best ventures and opportunities.
• Exert the greatest influence.
• Add the most value.
• Make the biggest difference.

If you want to rise to the top, you require the capacity to network with higher level people, have higher level conversations and ask higher level questions. You need higher level insight and you need a higher level reputation. If you don't do it on purpose, you run the risk that it might not happen by accident! What are you doing to increase your gravitas? Here are five things you can get started with:

1. Read Read Read! Work on your knowledge, because when applied it gives you wisdom and power. Both are facets of gravitas.
2. Network Network Network! No good being a well-kept secret. Get out there and make connections. Gravitas is often acquired though association.
3. Take a Step Back! Those with personal gravitas seem to speak less, listen more, observe plenty and take things in. They don't feel the need to speak all the time.
4. Ask Insightful Questions! Make people think, keep them sharp and make them clarify things. This makes you look sharp and insightful - two critical elements of gravitas.
5. Take the Gravitas Survey! Go to http://www.personalgravitas.com/shape.html and join hundreds of other prominent business figure, thought leaders, commentators and experts who are offering their insight and understanding to the gravitas debate.

When you get gravitas, incredible things begin to happen!

After the success on Amazon (top ten) of How to Build Your Reputation, I'm working with my co-author Debbie Binner on my latest venture: Personal Gravitas - What Is It, Who Has It, Who Needs It and How to Get It!

If you want:

• People take you (more) seriously
• A greater depth of personality
• To stand out more from the crowd
• To open up more opportunities for you and your business
• More charisma and appeal
• To fast track your career
• To be a more credible, forceful and compelling leader
• To be a more feared, respected and intimidating opponent
  
• To be someone people turn to for advice and judgment.

Then this is a little-understood and crucial subject matter that in researching the book, we're collecting the views of the top journalists, broadcasters, writers, experts, business leaders and thought-leaders worldwide. So if you:

Would like to appear in this book.

Have any particular insight, examples or thoughts on this topic.

Would like to shape the content in one way or another.

Know key people who would add value to this project.

Then take part in 10 minute Gravitas Survey and be one of the first to see the research results. You can even pre-order your own copy of the book. Go to www.personalgravitas.com and simply click 'Shape the Content'.

Special Report (instant download):

£7

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