Call me a pessimist, but when there’s technology, something’s likely to go wrong.
And during my speaking event this week it did.
The polling app I had added to my presentation became glitchy when combined with PowerPoint and Zoom. Some polls wouldn’t load. I had to keep dropping in and out of sharing my slides – all on the call with 40 people.
I couldn’t help feeling awkward, and a little embarrassed.
But at the same time I was thinking, the material is good and the audience seems to like it. Just carry on with what you were going to say.
So I didn’t panic. When the poll didn’t load, I chose to keep the conversation going and asked people to contribute in the chat.
And I kept reminding myself:
I’m creating an experience, not delivering perfection.
The funny thing is that I was practicing exactly what the talk – “Speaking Clearly When it Counts” – was about.
Earlier in our career, we rely heavily on preparation.
Yet, as our role expands, more and more we have to communicate without it.
- The unexpected question
- The impromptu update
- The conversation about an unknown outcome.
In the journey from expert to leader, we learn we can’t prepare for everything.
But, we can be ready.
I hadn’t prepared for what would happen combining three technologies. (And even if I had, a completely different problem could have emerged.)
But I was ready – ready to stay calm (ish) and move through the difficulty, focusing on continuing to connect with the audience and provide useful content.
Afterwards, I thought about what I’d done to feel “ready.”
I named my intention.
Before the talk, I reminded myself what I wanted the audience to leave with: a useful way to approach communication, and reassurance that the challenges they were facing could be overcome.
Thinking about them benefiting (and not about me performing) made me less nervous.
I anticipated the experience – positively.
I reminded myself how glad I was to have the opportunity and to have fun.
When something went wrong, I slowed down.
I resisted the urge to move fast to a solution. Instead, I paused, took a breath and and thought about what I wanted to happen next.
Moments like these come up often – being put on the spot, for example, or a conversation taking a surprising turn – and by definition, you won’t be able to prepare.
So think of a time when you felt really ready for something.
What had you done beforehand?
What did you tell yourself in the moment?
And what from that experience could you bring into your next unplanned communication?
You may not know what’s going to happen, but you can still be ready to meet the moment.
P.S. At the talk, there was a lot of interest in how to answer questions when you’re put on the spot. Would you also like to learn how to be ready for these? Let me know and I’ll share some thoughts and cover it in a future post.
