Speakers: Don't Let One Comment Erase Fifty Minutes

Don't let one Comment

3:09

As speakers, we often become our own toughest critics.

Recently, I delivered what I believe was one of my best presentations.

• Weeks of preparation.

• Dozens of revisions.

• Nearly 300 slides reduced to about 70.

The audience was engaged.

• They laughed.

• They participated.

• The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Then one gentleman approached me afterward.

He politely told me that a comment I made could have offended some women in the audience.

My response?

• "Thank you."

• He was right.

  • It wasn't my intention, but I won't use that phrase again.

Here's what surprised me.

Not his feedback.

The fact that I spent far more time thinking about that one comment than the previous fifty minutes that had gone so well.

Sound familiar?

• It happens to speakers.

• It also happens to musicians who remember the one missed note instead of the standing ovation.

• Actors replay the one forgotten line instead of the audience's applause.

• Athletes dwell on the one mistake instead of the great game they played.

We're wired that way.

The lesson isn't to ignore constructive criticism.

In fact, we should welcome it, because it's one of the fastest ways to improve.

But don't let one imperfect moment overshadow everything that went right.

Perfection isn't the goal.

Improvement is.

Every presentation teaches us something.

• Sometimes it's a stronger opening.

• Sometimes it's a better story.

• Sometimes it's a phrase we'll never use again.

That's growth.

I've spent years telling coaching clients that audiences don't expect perfection. They expect authenticity.

This presentation reminded me that I need to remember that lesson, too.

So, after your next presentation—or performance, meeting, or difficult conversation—ask yourself two questions:

1. What went well?

2. What will I do even better next time?

   1. Celebrate the first answer.

   2. Learn from the second.

   3. Then move on.

That's how good speakers become great speakers.

And that's how all of us continue to grow.

Follow this advice when working on your presentations and they will be absolutely, positively - No Sweat! —————————————————————————————————————————————

About the Author    

Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books,       “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”

Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, andPresentation Skills.

They do this because they know:"Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities."

They also know:We perceive really great speakers to be Experts. We like to work with Experts.

He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver Fantastic Presentations! with – NO SWEAT!

Services:

1. Keynote Speaker

2. Workshop Facilitator

3. Breakout Sessions

4. Personal and Group Public Speaking and Presentation Coaching

Topics:

1. Lessening The Fear of Public Speaking with – NO SWEAT!

2. Crafting Your Elevator Speech, Floor by Floor with – NO SWEAT!

3. Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.

4. We are All Self-Employed!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, Podcast Channel, and connect with me on LinkedIn and Facebook.

My books can be purchased on amazon.com.    

“NO SWEAT Public Speaking”   “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”

Audible offers “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!” as an audio book.