Inspirational Women Of the Speaking Circuit: Dr Rassheedah Watts On The Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Speaker
An Interview With Douglas E. Noll
Be Confident. Own who you are, your expertise, and take command of the room with your presence. I discuss many hot topic issues and those of us who work intentionally in the equity space don’t do it because it’s easy; as change agents we are driven by the goal of creating just and equitable systems even if the work is tough.
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women of the Speaking Circuit, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dr. Rassheedah Watts.
Dr. Rassheedah Watts, The Inclusive Community Architect®, is an award-winning Diversity Strategist, International Speaker, Educator and Corporate Trainer with extensive experience in multiple sectors advancing equity and inclusive-centered cultures. She is the author of “How To Be An Ally and Create Inclusion Using The A.C.A. Pillars: A 3-Step Approach”, and “Black Womb Dialogues: A Poetic Intersection of Womanhood and Blackness”.
Her leadership as an equity champion and Chief Diversity Officer contributed to significant milestones within various organizations, including the establishment of Minnesota’s first community college Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center.
A sought-after global speaker specializing in Organizational Allyship, Courageous Leadership, Gender Equity and Racial Healing, Dr. Rassheedah is renowned for her ability to connect with diverse audiences across corporate, governmental, educational, and nonprofit sectors.
In 2022, Dr. Rassheedah was recruited into the United States Speaker Program to promote diversity and allyship principles in collaboration with U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.
To learn more about Dr. Rassheedah’s work and insights as a keynote speaker, explore her journey further.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
The vibrant and multicultural city of San Francisco, California is the gem that shaped much of who I am today. Being an only child heightened my observation skills and curiosity towards people of all walks of life. Growing up in the era of the Reading Rainbow, I loved spending countless hours at the library reading and to this day I love visiting libraries wherever I go.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
My journey began in high school theatre, where my passion for engaging with people truly blossomed. As an adult, I joined an improv group that allowed my improvisation skills to thrive. My enthusiasm for public speaking grew even stronger when I hosted a televised discussion series during my undergraduate broadcasting program. There, I honed my ability to think quickly on my feet and communicate effectively.
As my career advanced, I became deeply involved in implementing diversity and social justice initiatives which led to opportunities to speak. I realized the profound impact that courageous voices have in addressing both the challenges and solutions within the DEI landscape. Recognizing this need, I decided to intentionally use my voice to inspire and educate others as agents of justice, which has brought me to where I am today.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I was invited to deliver a keynote address on allyship and racial healing at the Royal Society of Arts in Scotland. Shortly after accepting, I discovered that Scotland had recently issued a historic apology for its role in benefiting from the transatlantic slave trade. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, would be delivering a follow-up apology just before my speech. Understanding the profound historical significance of this event was a tremendous honor.
Realizing the significance of the occasion, it was important for me to inspire a forward-looking conversation. Before delivering the keynote, I shared my poetic reflection titled “Black Woman Soil”, intertwining themes of Black history and strength. It was well-received and appropriate for the moment. The experience deepened my commitment to using my voice to drive meaningful change.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
During my broadcasting undergrad program, I hosted a live television discussion series because everyone else in my class was too nervous to host, but so was I! I’ve never forgotten the time I interviewed a very serious lawyer. I was only 19, and in a moment of excited conversation, I completely made up a word! Time seemed to slow down as I realized my mistake. What’s even funnier is that my eyes widened in shock, while his narrowed in confusion. Ha!
That funny slip-up inspired me to master clear communication, which I’m proud of today. That moment taught me to turn mistakes into opportunities for growth. Plus, it’s given me a great story to laugh about.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I’ve gained wisdom from countless teachers and even through simple observation. However, I’m especially grateful to every client, community partner, and business associate who has intentionally opened doors for me. This means seeking me out for my depth of expertise without ignoring my identity as a Black African American woman.
Despite great skills and professional expertise among women of color, many industries continue to lack diverse representation, and the speaking industry isn’t any different. Change requires intentionality and I know we have great change agents and allies out there, so I’m hopeful that more speaking panels, conferences, and corporate event managers will be intentional in amplifying the expertise of Black women and women of color speakers. Today’s audience is eager to listen to more voices that authentically reflect our world.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging and intimidating. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Letting the fear of failure stop you is letting perfectionism rob you of advancing. My advice is to practice your craft, educate yourself about the business of speaking, and take that necessary step forward. You will never know what you’re capable of unless you try.
What drives you to get up everyday and give your talks? What is the main empowering message that you aim to share with the world?
The urgent need to be a part of the solution toward achieving equity and justice is what drives me. The need to be an encouraging voice to so many that have been minimized because of an aspect of their identity is what drives me. Whether speaking to leaders, women or students, I’ve seen when eyes spark with understanding. When people thank me for motivating them to take positive action in their personal lives, in business or within the broader community — those moments fuel me. I speak from the heart, so I’m always honored when my message resonates deeply with others. It’s a gift I’ll never take for granted.
My aim is to awaken everyone’s leadership potential to activate the change agents we need in our businesses and communities. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of societal problems, but inaction contributes to the problem. Our collective effort will drive equity and inclusion forward, as long as the collective recognizes their power.
Can you share with our readers a few of your most important tips about how to be an effective and empowering speaker? Can you please share some examples or stories?
Authenticity, engaging delivery and thorough knowledge of your content are essential. One memorable experience that underscored this was when I was invited to Pakistan on behalf of the U.S. Speaker Program.
I arrived from my U.S. flight to Karachi around 3:00 AM. Once my day got going, I found myself immersed in a whirlwind of speaking engagements. From delivering keynotes to participating in a televised discussion with a live audience. At one point after meeting with a group of leaders, I was ushered through a door which I thought would be a waiting room, but it was directly onto the stage with a packed room of people looking right at me — no time for makeup, hair check, or PowerPoint presentations.
During this trip, my audience demographic was constantly changing, ranging from leaders, students, academics and more. Given the spread of talks and pace of engagements, I couldn’t rely heavily on speaker notes. To top it off, I was also jetlagged. Considering all these variables, as a subject matter expert, I had to solely rely on my content knowledge and my proficiency as a speaker to quickly tailor my talks to each audience. The intense pace and adaptability required was not for the faint of heart, yet it was so rewarding, and I loved every moment of it! My favorite engagement was speaking to a women’s group on gender empowerment and women in leadership. It was my moment of Black Girl Magic in Pakistan.
As you know, many people are terrified of speaking in public. Can you give some of your advice about how to overcome this fear?
Enroll in speech classes for opportunities to learn and practice. Taking courses in communication studies can deepen your understanding of effective speaking techniques and cultural dynamics. Consider joining speaker associations or hiring a coach to help you refine your skills.
Drawing from my background in theatre, I highly recommend taking an acting class. Acting allows you to step into different characters and that process can help you build up your confidence, plus it’s fun.
What are your “5 Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Public Speaker?”
1 . Know your Purpose. Why does your voice matter? I knew I wanted to use my voice to make a difference, but as a very young person, my purpose wasn’t clear. Now, as an established leader in my field, I have a clear message and a defined purpose: to use my voice for justice.
2 . Know your Story. Who are you? It’s important to understand your story because it will infuse itself into your speaking if you seek to be your most authentic self and know who you are. For the longest time, I kept my performance art background hidden because as a diversity practitioner (especially as a chief diversity officer) I didn’t think it seemed appropriate as a professional in my field. I eventually decided to challenge myself and share my creativity, leading to my book “Black Womb Dialogues”. I’ve since shared pieces of my work as an alternative way to discuss challenging topics. I’m now freer to be fully me: strategic, innovative, business-minded and creative! Don’t dim who you are. Tap into your core and what you have to offer because that is your differentiator.
3 . Content-knowledge. Know your stuff and have a perspective that is insightful. I love taking my audience through many “aha” moments as it helps make my presentations more memorable and impactful.
4 . Be Engaging. How do you connect with people? Are you funny, quirky, motivating, inspiring? I’ve sat through plenty of dull scenarios so I’ve committed to bringing life into spaces when it’s my turn to show up. Unless you are a sleep expert keynote, don’t put people to sleep! Bring energy, switch things up from the norm, connect with people emotionally.
5 . Be Confident. Own who you are, your expertise, and take command of the room with your presence. I discuss many hot topic issues and those of us who work intentionally in the equity space don’t do it because it’s easy; as change agents we are driven by the goal of creating just and equitable systems even if the work is tough.
Occasionally I may encounter individuals who starkly oppose equity and inclusion. I vividly remember an engagement with a man in the front row who glared at me angrily for a large portion of my presentation. I’ve navigated this field for some time, so I’m accustomed to varied reactions, but the man was in a public servant role I highly admired, so I was disappointed and a bit shocked at his hostility toward me. It could have thrown me off, but I know who I am, whose I am, and the words I’m called to impart. So, honey, you better believe I tapped into my unshakeable confidence, adjusted my crown and carried on my presentation without missing a beat. In my book, confidence and prayer are key!
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
I’m excited about a series of engagements focused on uplifting women at work and spotlighting bystander intervention to counter toxic workplace cultures. It’s a topic that’s near and dear to me as a woman in leadership who has survived through a spectrum of workplace bullying. I’ve made it my mission to shine light on this topic because it’s preventable, and it also highlights the need for courageous leadership. SisterSoulRecharge.com is a community I’m building to support women as a supportive collective. I’ve had sessions with women from across the country who are distraught and feel isolated, and it’s important for women to know they are not alone.
Looking ahead, I’m currently booking engagements for next year which is the most exciting because I can get a call from anywhere. My goal is to continue broadening my message of courage, allyship and racial healing because we, as a human collective, can’t afford to slow down. We must stay focused on our goal toward justice.
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
I love traveling and getting out into nature to reset and relax. After my keynote in Scotland, I had a few days to myself to unwind before flying back to the U.S., so I booked a tour to the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The sight of black-nosed sheep grazing on the mountainsides, the lush pastures, and the refreshing rivers were incredibly rejuvenating. Visiting the famous Loch Ness was a highlight. I loved every moment and wished I had more time to explore Scotland’s natural beauty.
Mental clarity and maintaining my inner peace are also important. I have a few go-to apps that I rely on for this: Blackfullness, Abide, and Finch. These tools help me stay grounded and focused, so I often recommend them as we can’t have enough tools in our toolkit.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“If you think you’re to small to make a difference, you haven’t spent a night with a mosquito” is an African proverb I use often in my work because I believe we all have the power to be injustice disruptors. I use this as a statement of encouragement for change agents and for myself to keep pushing forward regardless of what may appear to be unsurmountable obstacles. Sometimes we may think “I’m only one person, I can’t do this”, but then I remember the determination of the mosquito…such a seemingly small creature that can awaken a giant from its slumber! I love that!
You are a person of huge influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Human justice! This best summarizes the aim of my work.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
I would love to have lunch with Michelle Obama. Her books, Becoming and The Light We Carry, were incredibly empowering and insightful. I deeply admire her elegance and grace, along with her unwavering commitment to being a bridge-builder and fostering unity among the American people. Gaining wise insights from her would be invaluable to me.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/actgiant/ and on Tiktok @actgiant_dr.r
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About the Interviewer: Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA was born nearly blind, crippled with club feet, partially deaf, and left-handed. He overcame all of these obstacles to become a successful civil trial lawyer. In 2000, he abandoned his law practice to become a peacemaker. His calling is to serve humanity, and he executes his calling at many levels. He is an award-winning author, teacher, and trainer. He is a highly experienced mediator. Doug’s work carries him from international work to helping people resolve deep interpersonal and ideological conflicts. Doug teaches his innovative de-escalation skill that calms any angry person in 90 seconds or less. With Laurel Kaufer, Doug founded Prison of Peace in 2009. The Prison of Peace project trains life and long terms incarcerated people to be powerful peacemakers and mediators. He has been deeply moved by inmates who have learned and applied deep, empathic listening skills, leadership skills, and problem-solving skills to reduce violence in their prison communities. Their dedication to learning, improving, and serving their communities motivates him to expand the principles of Prison of Peace so that every human wanting to learn the skills of peace may do so. Doug’s awards include California Lawyer Magazine Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year, Purpose Prize Fellow, International Academy of Mediators Syd Leezak Award of Excellence, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals Neutral of the Year. His four books have won a number of awards and commendations. Doug’s podcast, Listen With Leaders, is now accepting guests. Click on this link to learn more and apply.
