Grace and Poise the James Bond Phenomenon

Have you ever been somewhere, perhaps a function or black-tie affair, or just to a business seminar and noticed that some people just hold an audience?

Grace and poise the amazing combination of skilled intangibility that commands respect. They are something like an ‘x-factor’ that is difficult to apprehend, but exists.

Those who have these characteristics seem authoritative just by their mere presence, exuding confidence and authority as they walk and talk and interact with others. They move and have mannerisms that reflect grace and poise, respect and leadership. It is noticeable because it is rare. It is something that everyone wants but that nobody can quite grasp. We can identify it, but cannot fully describe it.

If you ever watched a James Bond movie and noted his posture and mannerisms, he would be what I am talking about. It’s about the way one carries themselves and how they interact with others. Being quick-witted but classy also seems to be a byproduct of these characteristics. Always in control and taking command of every situation, in a ‘statesman-like’ manner, and it’s not only men that have this. The elegance and sophistication is present in women too.

In fact, women who possess these characteristics usually even seem more arresting than men because of their natural beauty.

It doesn’t always have to do with physical appearance either. These people come in all shapes and sizes. It is almost as if they had many extra lessons at a finishing school. It is as if they are on a fast track to royalty.

There is an elegance and an air of control about these people.

Grace, in nature, can also mean movement, in the graceful movement of a feline, like a cheetah or jaguar on the hunt, or a horse galloping in a field, or around a track.

Coupled with the grace of movement comes grace of character. Having a character that shows grace is believing the best of people, giving people the benefit of the doubt. Acceptance of people for who they are, not what you want them to be.

Acceptance of faults and flaws, and working together despite those faults and flaws. Nobody is perfect, and if somebody claims to be, then they expose their imperfection in that very claim.

Grace of character brings with it an air of authority in the acceptance of others, but also has an immaterial asset that is difficult to quantify.

Something special is inherent in the person who is full of grace, who makes one comfortable in their presence and makes others feel important and respected and necessary.

It is one of the greatest so called ‘soft skills’ to have in any interaction socially or formally in a business context. It takes effort and practice, and I think it comes more naturally to some, but I also think we can all learn to be more graceful characters.

The most important asset that grace brings with it is the connection with others, being open and gracious in accepting and elevating others. Closely linked to chivalry is poise. The two, in combination, make average people into somebody that would be comfortable amongst royalty.

Poise is defined as:

“Meaning of poise in English

calm confidence in a person’s way of behaving, or a quality of grace (= moving in an attractive way) and balance in the way a person holds or moves their body”

Source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/poise

Imagine the opportunities that could open up learning these intangible soft skills. People do not always remember what you say, but they remember how you made them feel.

This is very important in this world of information overload. The way you make people feel becomes a lot more important because what we say gets lost in the ocean of information that pervades modern life.

My hypothesis is that these intangible soft skills, if enhanced and used correctly in the right settings, will lead to more opportunities, and greater success.

So how do we go about getting these softer skills if we aren’t as lucky as some to have these skills inherent within us?

I believe we can learn these skills and it takes time and practice, just like anything. Imagine that by learning these skills you find the key to a brighter future in your industry.

And in the words of Ron Burgundy of Anchorman fame, “You stay classy San Diego.”