Media Training Worldwide

A Blot On Your Image

Everything was going well during my presentation. My audience was laughing, my stories were connecting, and you could smell knowledge and skills being transferred in the air.

I was in my groove. I was the master communicator in action!

But then I looked down at my chest. My ink pen had exploded and their was a giant blue ink spot coming out of my shirt pocket, only partially obscured by my suit jacket.

So what did I do? I wanted to laugh, then cry, than be self-deprecating, then make a big deal out of it, then make a small deal out of it. Instead, I shut up. Why? Because I had a sudden realization: my audience didn’t care about me and my shirt. (The sooner we all realize this about our audiences, the better.)

So instead of calling attention to my ink spill and ruined shirt, I simply smiled and continued the discussion for another two minutes. Next, I got one of the participants to stand up and give a practice speech. While this was gong on, I slipped into the back room where I changed into a new, clean (and ink-free) shirt. I re-emerged five minutes later as the practice speech was finishing. I then began the critique and continued on as if nothing happened.

Nobody in my audience had to hear about my troubles and I was able to stay focused on the needs of my trainees. Everybody won (plus, I didn’t have to call attention to myself being a slob)

Only much later in the day did I even mention to the participants what had happened. Predictably, most had no idea there had ever been a mishap.

I cite this as an example not because my solution was the perfect one that will work in every situation. After all, if you are speaking outside of your own office or conference center, you may not have an extra shirt handy. But my basic approach was the following: 1. Don’t panic. 2. Don’t call attention to my own problems. 3. Try to solve the problem without bothering my audience. 4. Don’t apologize or act bothered by life’s little annoyances (better to stay focused in a positive way on helping your audience).

So when a bird drops something on you, or a drink is splashed your way, handle it. Just make sure you handle it in away that does not detract from your presentation or your audience’s learning experience.