Embracing Imperfection: Tales from My Keynote Mishaps

Today I want to share some behind-the-scenes moments of mistakes from my career as a keynote speaker. You see, no matter how much we plan and prepare, life has a funny way of throwing curveballs our way. These very moments remind us of our humanity and the importance of resilience. They help us remain humble, push us to improve our creative problem-solving skills, and make for fun memories! So, let’s dive into some of my most memorable mishaps during keynotes, how I powered through them, and, perhaps most importantly, the lessens we can all remember!

No Audio? No Problem!

Picture this: I'm all set to start my keynote, excitement buzzing in the air, and then... silence. The audio for my videos wasn’t connected! There I was, standing in front of hundreds of people with a silent video playing behind me. What did I do? Well, I improvised! I started talking through the video, narrating the scenes, and even doing voices for the characters. It was a bit like a one-woman show, and to my surprise, the audience loved it! Sometimes, it’s about rolling with the punches and turning a mishap into a memorable moment.

The Great Fire Alarm Fiasco

Mid-keynote, deep into a story, and suddenly, the fire alarm in the beautiful hotel convention center blares. The audience looks at me, wide-eyed, expecting some sort of direction. I quickly asked the hotel staff if we were safe. When they confirmed, I decided to keep going. But now, I had to time my statements to fit between the alarm's piercing rings. It was a true test of my ability to adapt on the fly. We all had a good laugh about it afterward, and it’s a story I still tell to this day!

Text Formatting Woes

Switching between a Mac and a PC can be a recipe for disaster, especially when it comes to presentations. I’ve had moments where the text was completely awry because of this switch. Instead of panicking, I turned it into a joke with the audience and used it as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of flexibility and quick thinking. It’s all about how you handle the unexpected.

The Clicker Conundrum

There was one time when my clicker just refused to work. I had to manually switch the slides, which might not seem like a big deal, but in the flow of a keynote, it can be quite jarring. I joked about getting my steps in and carried on. The key is to not let these little hiccups derail you. Keep your focus, maintain your energy, and the audience will stay with you.

Timing Tangles

Ah, timing changes – the bane of every speaker's existence. I’ve had to be nimble countless times. Sometimes the organizers need me to shorten my talk at the last minute, so I skip stories and get to the core points faster. Other times, they need me to stretch it out, so I dive deeper into stories and details. Regardless of the timing, I always strive to deliver value and keep the audience engaged.

A Dry Texarkana Day

Once, while giving a keynote in Texarkana, the air was so dry that I had a coughing fit in the middle of my speech. The audience was incredibly kind and supportive, which helped me regain my composure. It was a humbling experience and a great reminder of the power of empathy and understanding. And, a great reminder to have a bottle of water handy! 

Conclusion: Embracing Imperfection

These moments, while challenging at the time, have taught me so much about resilience, adaptability, and the power of authenticity. No keynote will ever be perfect, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s the human element – the ability to laugh at ourselves, adapt on the fly, and connect with the audience – that makes each presentation unique and memorable.

So, the next time you face a hiccup or a mishap, remember: it’s all part of the journey. Embrace the imperfections, learn from them, and keep moving forward. After all, it’s these very moments that make our stories worth telling.

Stay inspired, stay adaptable, stay humble, and keep shining!

All my very best!

-Sara