Many of us view a valuable presenting experience as everything aligning, landing the pitch, and succeeding, but presenting doesn’t always go that way. In today’s post, Dean shares some advice he learned for when presenting doesn’t go as hoped.
To make the most of every presentation experience, check out our support services here.
I just got back from American Samoa, and I met a man who shared something beautifully simple about life: sometimes things are good, and sometimes things are bad—and both are part of the journey. When things are good, he feels good because that’s life. When things are bad, he also feels good because that, too, is life. You get both, and your job is to embrace both.
When you present, there are days when everything clicks. Your confidence is high, the material flows, you nail every point, and the audience leans in. That’s great—and it’s absolutely part of the presenting experience.
And then there are the other days.
The days when you get tongue-tied. When you skip a point. When you lose your place. When something lands flat. When the tech glitches. When the energy in the room doesn’t match what you hoped for. All of that is also part of presenting.
A strong presenter isn’t someone who only performs well on the good days. A strong presenter is someone who can stay present, stay human, and stay engaged whether things are flowing beautifully or falling apart a little.
When it’s going well—enjoy it. When it’s not—still enjoy it, because it’s all part of the ride. Every presenter you admire has had both kinds of moments.
The next time something goes “wrong” in your presentation, remember: this, too, is part of presenting. You’re still on track. You’re still doing the job. And every moment—smooth or messy—counts as real experience that makes you better.
Receive weekly posts of insight and inspiration.
No Comments yet!