Weather wreaks havoc with impunity. Banks go bankrupt. 18 wheelers jump the median. Viruses leap from door knobs. The world is a volatile place.
So are meeting rooms and ballrooms. Electricity goes out. Projectors break. Slide decks disappear. You drop your 3 x 5 cards and they scatter across the floor and the cards aren’t numbered. The microphone dies. You get lost on the way to the meeting and you’re late. Or someone asks you the one question you haven’t prepared a response for.
In situations like these, how does a speaker carry on? Here’s some basic advice: Take a deep breath or two. Move deliberately in spite of the butterflies in your stomach. If the projector dies, check the the obvious: did someone trip on the cord and pull the plug? Or did the bulb go out? Do they have a spare? Get someone to call the A/V guy.
If the mic goes dead, step to the front and summon your volume: “Can everyone hear me?” Pick your cards up off the floor and find humor in the misstep. Your calm demeanor will put the audience at ease, and demonstrate your steadiness.
“Tweet: You gotta watch out for what ya ain’t watchin’ out for.,” said my grandfather. Adapt to volatility. Be calm, be patient– unflappable. They’ll remember you for your grace under pressure.