In my last column I tackled the thorny topic of back-to-back online meetings and the toll this has taken on people’s time, and on their lives, during the last 18 months. Yet, for many people online working has also brought huge benefits. One of these has been that, in some ways, it has proved a great leveller.

This first came to my attention when, for an episode of our podcast Coaches On The Couch, Rachel Birchmore and I spoke with several architects, founders of practices considered to be “emerging”. One of our guests mentioned how, without having to visit fancy offices for project or client meetings, where the surroundings can be as intimidating as they are impressive, it was easier to speak up. “Everyone occupies the same sized small square on a screen” is a relatable statement.

I was reminded of this recently during a coaching session with a young woman who has a big job. In common with many other people (usually younger, and usually women) who I have coached, one of her objectives was to gain more “gravitas” and, as usual when someone I am working with expresses this goal, I asked her what she meant by gravitas. “I am physically small, and I am young, and sometimes I feel I struggle to come across as serious, or experienced, or knowledgeable enough about my job,” she said.

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