Growing Your Gravitas

by Karen Cortell Reisman, MS

published in KeyMotes Newsletter of the National Speakers Association (November, 2002)*

A congruent keynote evolves from your brain, your heart, AND your soul; and a major component of your brain-heart-soul keynote is GRAVITAS.

Let me define gravitas: It's a Latin word meaning stature, demeanor, experience, dignity. The word is often used by political commentators: We vote typically for politicians who have gravitas. Politicians without gravitas lose the election.

For keynoters, gravitas means self-confidence, self-knowledge, the timing of YOU as a human being.

The tough news: Gravitas is not something you can learn at an NSA breakout. There is no "Gravitas Fairy God-mother" who goes around sprinkling gravitas powder on your brain, heart, and soul.

The encouraging news: Gravitas is not a function of age. Gravitas is not a function of fame. Gravitas is not a function of money.

Gravitas is a function of awareness plus time. It's the essence of YOU, and what you bring to the platform.

About 12 years ago I attended my first NSA national meeting. Thom Winninger was president and the theme was to explore and speak about your uniqueness. During one of those huge breaks (which was pretty tortuous for a first timer), I called my mother, in Dallas, Texas, and thanked her for my rich legacy. I am a 1st generation American. I am a 2nd generation Holocaust survivor. I am a cousin to Albert Einstein.

I realized at that NSA meeting, 12 years ago, that this unique legacy would probably be great for my speaking career. Yet, gravitas grows with time PLUS awareness. Twelve years ago I was not ready to give a brain-heart-soul keynote about my legacy.

For these many years I've been taking notes in my brain, taking notes in my heart, and taking notes in my soul, and "Letters From Einstein - Equation For Change" became a reality two years ago.

It may not take you a decade, but I bet it's comforting to know that it takes time and awareness to grow your gravitas. Whether you are an aspiring or experienced keynoter, I urge you to look within and find your gravitas.

*Reprinted with permission by KeyMotes Newsletter

Karen Cortell Reisman would have been her high school's valedictorian, if it were not for a B in Home Ec due to lumpy blueberry muffins. But she hasn't stopped since. In the past 12 years she has presented programs around the country on communication, sales, and her cousin, Albert Einstein.

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