Make a Mistake on Stage? Be Like Your GPS!

Kelsey Crouch
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read

When giving a presentation, you might get off course or encounter some detour. You might forget your words or you skip a section, maybe the clicker doesn’t work or the audience is difficult. Maybe you fall onstage — ! (Yes, I’ve seen this happen!) Mistakes happen often, the key is knowing how to deal with them when they do.

(Hint: this goes for all communicating)

Rather than letting yourself get flustered or apologizing profusely — which only further prevents your audience from learning — be like your GPS, simply acknowledge the interruption and continue with your talk.

Be like your GPS, simply acknowledge the interruption and continue with your talk.

What does your GPS say when you’ve made a wrong turn or there’s sudden traffic? Does Siri curse you out, does she apologize to you? No! That would be an awful waste of time! You know what she does? She speaks in a calming, even voice, “Rerouting…”, and then she gets you back on track.

Mistakes don’t have to ruin your presentation. If you handle them graciously, your audience will see how strong you are and connect with you even more.

You remember that woman who fell on stage? Her audience gave her the only standing ovation of the day and I, for one, will never forgot it.

Communications Therapist // Speaker Coach // TEDx Organizer www.kelseycrouch.com

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