SELF-HELP

Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence

by Lisa Sun
Hay House. Sept. 2023. 256p. ISBN 9781401972530. $26.99. SELF-HELP
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Sun has made a career of teaching people how to dress for success through her clothing brand Gravitas, and from her work she’s learned about the types of strength people need to have to show up in their bodies and their lives with confidence. Like Susan Cain’s work on introverts, Sun’s book disrupts accepted notions of what confidence is, in ways that challenge some deeply held assumptions about people’s values and voices. Sun’s powerful exploration of her first performance review, in which her boss said she lacked gravitas, and of how she began to develop a strong sense of confidence and purpose will resonate with those who struggle with imposter syndrome. She brings up archetypes that many readers will recognize, such as the “Superwoman” facade.
VERDICT Sun’s book provides actionable strategies for discovering one’s confidence style, primarily through personal observations but with a dose of science and data thrown in to support her points. Recommended for anyone who’s ready to reflect on the mindset traits and behaviors that limit them so they’re able to achieve the gravitas that Sun suggests can enhance all aspects of life.
Reviewed by Emily Bowles , Oct 01, 2023
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