It’s the stuff of nightmares, only I wasn’t naked and I was very much awake. There I was, on stage in a packed school hall, competing in the Year Six Public Speaking finals – and I’d forgotten the last line of my perfectly-crafted speech.
Like a broken record, I just kept saying the second last sentence over and over, desperately hoping it would jog my memory. People in the audience began to awkwardly look away. Or worse, at their watches. After 17 attempts to jump-start my brain, that elusive final sentence came to me and I slunk off stage, willing the world to swallow me up.
That was almost 40 years ago and it still haunts me. Despite building a successful career speaking in front of others – including on live TV and in Parliament House – I’m still painfully aware of how easily (and badly) I can bomb every time I get up to speak.
The upside is, with every public speaking fail, I learned a thing or two. Five actually. Here they are, in case you ever find yourself mid-speech and lost for words.
Newsflash: you’re only human. This means you will inevitably make a mistake. Make your peace with this before stepping into the spotlight. It will help you be kind to yourself if you stumble. It won’t stop you from being annoyed or disappointed but it will help you put it in perspective.
If you’re mid-flow and suddenly can’t recall that fact, quote or name you need, jump ahead to the information you can access. Keep moving forward, even if it means taking a detour. There’s every chance people won’t even notice (or mind).
If you can’t seamlessly fudge it, be open about what’s happening. You’ll be surprised at how understanding your audience might be. Make a joke about it (if appropriate), explain what the problem is and then go to tip number four.
If you’re fumbling for words or fighting unruly tech, make a decision quickly as to whether to keep trying or cut your losses. Then move on with the rest of the presentation. Being decisive early in the ‘fail’ will help you recover your composure and feel in control again.
It’s so natural to freeze when everything is falling apart, however it will serve you well to fight this instinct. Improvise. Throw some questions out to the audience or ask if they’ve any for you. Call on a (trusted) colleague or friend to chip in (if you think that won’t hate you for it) to keep the information flowing.
You can also use your pitfall as an opportunity to pause and recap, especially if you’re already toward the end of your presentation. Plus, don’t be afraid to go old school – especially during a tech fail. Use pen, paper, whiteboard, table, chairs – any props that you have to hand to help make your point. It might sound naff but it will still be more engaging than doing nothing at all. It might even land better than your original plan.
I still use these strategies to help me get through the brain blanks and tech troubles that threaten an otherwise well-planned presentation. There are other tools too, which you can learn in FW Masterclass: Presenting for Success. It not only has tips to handle mid-speech hiccups, it’s also packed with strategies to build confidence to deliver engaging, impactful presentations.
If only Year Six Me had access to it before walking on stage that fateful day. It may not have stopped me forgetting my lines, but it may have given me the confidence and tools to turn it to my advantage.
Gain confidence in your abilities as a leader and communicator with our series of executive-level webinars, FW Masterclass: Presenting for success. Find out more.
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