How do you handle unexpected issues during a speech?

Keep dancing. If you make a mistake, misstep, or have a wardrobe malfunction. That’s what I told our three daughters for many years as they prepared for their end of year recitals or major performances before hundreds. Take a deep breath. And move on. No one will notice your mistake more than you do. Stay calm. Same when speaking. Pause. And move on. The pause might seem incredibly long to you, but it’s not. I’ve done it multiple times and still gotten good reviews!

Use the opportunity to interact with the audience. Ask a question to the audience. Ask the audience for their opinion on a certain topic. Crack a joke.

1-Avoid perfectionism: No matter how good speaker you are there will always be room for development. If anything went wrong don't go through the loop of self-guilt. 2-Don't highlight it: You are the only one who knows your speech in terms of content and performance. If anything went wrong don't pause or show it. Keep going so audience won't be aware of the situation. 3-Use it to Engage: Use the situation as a tool to engage the audience with through things like jokes. 4-Be ready: Always make a plan B that can help you move on from that unexpected moment such as a hard copy of the powerpoint presentation in case you couldn't use it. 5-Lession leanined: Use the situation as a story or lesson learned that reflect & fit the theme of the topic.

Before anything else, ingrain it into your system that your audience is also human at the end of the day, therefore, stay calm for they won't eat you :D Secondly, it is always advised to prepare for any shortcomings well in advance as it will give you more confidence about being well-prepared for any kind of a situation. And, incase an unforeseen circumstance occurs, just pause, take a deep breath and acknowledge the situation. Then, you have 2 options, you can either engage the audience with a topic that you might've had in mind beforehand, or, you can take the audience's opinion on what topic they'd like to be engaged in; after all, considering them is the most direct way of making them feel involved :)

Handling unexpected issues during a speech effectively involves a few key strategies: 1. Stay Calm 2. Prepare for Contingencies: Have backup plans for potential technical glitches or disruptions. 3. Engage the Audience 4. Adapt Quickly: Be flexible and ready to shift your presentation if needed. 5. Know Your Material 6. Seek Help: Don't hesitate to ask for technical support when necessary. 7. Use Silence: A brief pause can give you time to think and can re-engage the audience. 8. Share Experiences 9. Maintain Perspective 10. Reflect and Learn These strategies can help you handle unexpected challenges with grace, turning potential setbacks into opportunities to demonstrate your resilience and professionalism.

During public speaking, the fight or flight instinct is triggered. The heart beats faster and perception of time is altered. A brief pause may seem like a long time to you, but it’s a blink of an eye for the audience. Always stay calm and take your time.

One of the best things I have learned about pausing while speaking, whether its planned or to deal with a problem, is that the pause feels *so much* longer for you than what it does for the audience. So don't be afraid to pause to think or regroup - even if it feel excruciatingly long for you, it won't feel that way to everyone else.

Taking time to pause and think about the unexpected issue can give you time to reflect on the issue. It also in my opinion shows that you recognize the concern of the person that brought up the issue. The pause can also give you time to think on your feet…or note that you will have to try and find an answer.

When anything unexpected arises during a speech, I take that as an opportunity to pause, engage the audience with direct eye contact and a smile, and mentally determine what will be my best way to bridge this unexpected event to the very next dialogue of the speech. Then, once the audience has been personally engaged as described, I firmly execute this impromptu connection to continue.

> Take a Moment: Use a pause to collect your thoughts. It gives the impression of thoughtfulness. > Regroup: Use the pause to quickly plan your next steps.

Lean In - the audience connects with people who are being their authentic selves IMO it also allows people to see no one’s immune from flaws as things happen, there are unexpected issues. I agree with life being all about how you respond and it serves you better the next go round.

I go with the flow. Stay upbeat and positive, acknowledge the situation, and make light of it, if appropriate and possible. Humor goes a long way. Remember, the audience as a whole, often has no idea about what is going on. More importantly, they have no idea of what you were going to say or do next. If you have mastery of your material… you personally adjust and then go with the flow. It should be as seamless as possible for the audience.

Share the problem with your audience and ask their permission for a new approach - 'We have no technology, so may I share my thoughts with you rather than the formal presentation. Or, whilst the issue is being resolved ask a few questions - 'what have you heard that rings true for you so far'? 'Are there any particular issues you would like to cover'?

> Be Transparent: If there’s a noticeable issue, acknowledge it. This can build trust with your audience. > Address the Problem: If possible, explain the issue and how you’ll proceed.

Selbst so erlebt: Bei einer Rede vor großem Publikum fiel dem Redner erst kurz vor dem Gang auf die Bühne ein unübersehbaren Fleck auf seinem Hemd auf. Er startete seine Rede mit den Worten: "Sicherlich ist Ihnen schon der Fleck auf meinem Hemd aufgefallen - genau wie mir vor ein paar Augenblicken. Es hat mich genauso überrascht wie sie, als ich ihn bemerkt habe. Nachdem das kurz angesprochen wurde, können wir nun zum eigentlichen Thema kommen..."

During public presentation it is par for the course that something will go not as planned. If the technology is not working, I am always prepared to talk without my slides by using humor that will enrich the presentation. I tend not to write out my speeches instead I used bullet points, so it allows me to adapt to my audience. If you have lights go out, side bar conversations that are distracting something falls, acknowledge it and move on. Always be prepared by putting slides on a USB drive, bring your own laptop with HDMI and power cords, adapters if the venue has MAC products, a copy of your slides and notes, and a clicker. Simply put be prepared.

Think about the potential things that could go wrong in advance and have a plan B in place. For example, if you have slides to be displayed and have trouble with the tech. Have multiple ways to access the slides- through a web link, through email and have thumb drive with you as a backup. If all else fails, be prepared to speak without them. This means having a printed copy for reference (especially important if you are sharing some very specific data).

Being ready to adapt in a presentation is why I don't over-prepare and over plan. If there is one "correct" path or outcome it feels upsetting and distracting when changes need to happen. By staying responsive you can change your approach around any challenges.

If all else fails (e.g., you cannot access your slides and do not have any backups), pivot to engagement. The best demonstration of a topic is through participation.

Remember, the audience is human too. They understand that things can go wrong, especially during live presentations. Thorough preparation helps you adapt quickly and leaves room for improvisation. This not only shows your confidence and mastery of the topic but also helps you handle unexpected issues smoothly. Embracing the unexpected with poise and adaptability will make your presentation even more impressive.

I find it best for me to use humor. I try to be as authentic and relatable as possible. I tend to be a bit goofy anyway! I don't think of myself as a professional speaker, just a guy with some information that I really want to share to hopefully help them be better at their at their job.

Laughter -- yours and the audience's -- relieves pressure and brings everyone together. It must be used judiciously or risk becoming campy. But when something is amiss, humor is a safety valve. It primes the audience to overlook what went wrong and gives you a moment to regroup.

> Lighten the Mood: A well-placed joke can diffuse tension and endear you to the audience. > Be Appropriate: Ensure the humor is suitable for the situation and the audience.

I have a few jokes and one liners ready just in case one of the more common issues occur like slides not working or electricity going out or my microphone not working. For example, if my mic suddenly stops working, I will talk really loudly and say thankfully I’m the parent of teenagers so I’m used to yelling and talking even when people can’t hear me. use relatable stories, and situations to turnit into a joke. Also, depending on the industry that you’re speaking to you could use some common assumptions or jokes about that industry to infuse in that moment.

El humor es super clave, pero, ¡cuidado! No se trata de lanzar bromas tontas que distraigan. El humor debe estar en función de acercarte como orador al público y que los participantes experimenten una sensación agradable al escucharte.

Unexpected issues during a speech can be effectively managed by engaging the audience. Acknowledge the issue calmly to build trust and show confidence, saying something like, "It seems we're experiencing a technical hiccup." Asking questions can shift the focus and keep the audience involved, soliciting their opinions or experiences related to your topic. Using humor can defuse tension and make the situation less awkward, helping you seem more relatable. Incorporate interactive elements like quick polls, shows of hands, or brief group discussions if the issue persists. Additionally, telling a relevant anecdote can captivate the audience, making the best of the unexpected situation while maintaining their interest and your credibility.

I'm often in the position of presenting to peers. In such situations, in addition to asking for any questions, I like to invite my audience to share their experiences and perspectives. Oftentimes, those portions of the presentation are more entertaining than any of the prepared materials and result in a more natural conversation between the presenter and the audience. This technique works equally well when something like technical difficulties prevents a speaker from using their prepared materials as planned.

> Interactive Questions: Involve the audience by asking for their input or opinions. > Audience Participation: Encourage the audience to participate in an activity or discussion.

Descer do palco e se aproximar do público é uma ótima opção para interagir com os participantes, abrir discussões e fazer network.

One thing that has helped me in this situation is engaging the audience while speaking, because it helps to share the difficult issue with them. But the speaker needs to be prepare for the negative and positive of having the audience speak on the issue.

Pretty vague question. Stay grounded, address the issue with a lens of the best outcome and not your own ego. And hope for the best 😅

Take a lesson from master improvisers. They encounter unexpected situations all the time, in fact they create them deliberately. They can do so confidently because they prepare for them in practice where they create even more unexpected situations. The more often you expose yourself to these situations, the more comfortable you will feel when they happen, up to a point where you even embrace them as an opportunity to shine.

En caso de usar algún tipo de material audiovisual como presentaciones o videos, este debe estar pensado en función de los asistentes. Debe prepararse para que los asistentes conecten, rían, reflexionen, discutan, no para que se pierdan en extensas lecturas o contenidos ininteligibles.

> Preparation: Anticipate potential issues and prepare for them in advance. > Recovery: Practice recovering from interruptions during your rehearsals. > Support: If you’re using technology, ensure you have technical support on standby.

Five words, spoken with confidence and humility: “That’s not supposed to happen.” Remember your audience feels nearly as awkward as you do when something goes awry. Acknowledging it with confidence makes it a shared experience, and actually builds trust with your audience. It invests everyone in a positive outcome, and ensures they remain attentive to your demeanor, your problem-solving skills, and—in the end—your message.