12. Caroline Goyder – How to increase your gravitas

If you’ve ever needed to represent your charity at a meeting with someone important – eg a powerful supporter or a Board Member – then you know how easily those differences in power can harm your performance and your stress levels. In this episode Rob Woods interviews the best-selling author, voice coach and gravitas expert, Caroline Goyder. Caroline originally trained as an actor at Central School of Speech and Drama. She is the pioneer of The Gravitas Method and for 16 years she has coached actors, business leaders and fundraisers in how to speak with more confidence and authority, so as to reduce stress and improve results. In this episode, first recorded for the Bright Spot Members Club, we’re looking at practical ways any fundraiser can increase their personal presence. This includes the mind-trick for handling pressure pitches and interviews that Caroline was taught by the actor Bill Nighy; a simple physical shift you can make which instantly changes the way you come across to others; and why Caroline encourages her clients to practice pausing more often.