My Most Embarrassing Presentation Moment
So let’s start with my most embarrassing presentation moment! After all, standing and presenting to people is an art, not a science and it is never predictable!
When people attend our presentation training they know they are going to stand in front of their peers and get critiqued and recorded. Let’s just say there is a little tension in the room first thing in the morning.
Not to mention… video puts on 10-15 extra pounds! (I really should be selling dietary products in the back of the room…but that would be mean.) So, you look and feel nervous and a little bigger than usual! No wonder people are a little apprehensive about coming to our programs.
Naturally, people are concerned about the possibility of fainting. People always ask me, “Has anyone ever fainted?” The good news is… in 14 years of conducting this training, I can honestly say only one person has fainted, unfortunately it was me!
Many years ago, I would skip meals and run on empty. This particular morning I raced to our program without eating breakfast (Did I mention I had skipped dinner the night before!) and of course it was a crazy morning. I started my opening presentation to get everyone relaxed and excited about their training. Keep in mind, my goal that morning was to keep things light because everybody’s feeling a little nervous.
Half way through my morning presentation, I began to feel shaky and blurry eyed. Yup, I know I am going to faint. (Did I mention I have low blood sugar and skipping meals is a big no-no!) It’s not a matter of… if I am going to faint… but rather, a matter of when!
Well, I was smart enough to get myself out of the room prior to the collapse. In the middle of the morning presentation I told the attendees, “Let’s take a mini break and get some coffee and take a little stretch before we get started!” Now mind you, we are 30 minutes into the day and it was strange to be taking a break this early. Luckily, I got myself out of the room just in time to meet my colleague in the hall to say, “I am going to faint right now, take over!” At that timely moment, I fainted in the hall out of sight of the attendees. (Always the professional!)
I pulled myself together after ten minutes and returned to the room. I felt the need for a short, professional explanation. (Privately, I was furious with myself and very embarrassed.) I told the room what happened. I apologized and suggested we move forward.
Shortly after my explanation, a woman in the room raised her hand to ask a question. I called upon her and she said, with the nicest, kindest voice you can imagine; “Sheri, you are the most graceful fainter I have ever seen!” The whole room burst into laughter and the tense moment was over.
Moral of the story: Be honest and authentic with your audience. Share with them… you are there to serve their needs. When you do this, they will be very forgiving, even in the most embarrassing of circumstances!
