| What happens when you're public speaking and | | | | breaker. The audience doesn't like watching you |
| something doesn't work? | | | | onstage looking embarrassed or humiliated. It |
| Perhaps a joke you make falls completely flat. | | | | makes them uncomfortable! That's not to your |
| Maybe the directions to a group activity are | | | | benefit as presenter. |
| unclear to your audience. Or worse, they simply | | | | On the other hand, don't get angry with your |
| have no comprehension of a key concept that | | | | audience. I've seen that happen, and that will kill |
| you feel absolutely sure you've delivered with | | | | your relationship with your audience immediately. |
| extreme clarity. | | | | If you're frustrated with them, don't ever show it. |
| What are you going to do? How do you recover? | | | | Find something that works for them, even if it |
| Is your public speaking presentation a complete | | | | means that you only deliver half of the content |
| failure? | | | | you'd originally intended for your presentation. |
| In aikido, the martial art I've studied for a long | | | | 3) Diagnose the problem and correct quickly. If it's |
| time, we get thrown around a lot. It's called taking | | | | a key concept that your audience must |
| ukemi, also known as the art of falling. As a | | | | understand in order to proceed, take some time |
| matter of fact, according to my instructors, you | | | | to question them and figure out why. Usually a |
| can't really understand or do well at aikido unless | | | | strong strong solution is to break down the |
| you learn how to take great ukemi. | | | | concept into smaller, simpler steps. If your |
| Ukemi is about landing safely when you take a hit | | | | presentation is well-researched and well-prepared, |
| or fail to take control of your partner. You land | | | | then key concept issues shouldn't occur. |
| safely, are back on your feet in seconds, and | | | | If it's an activity that's not working, and it's |
| ready for whatever comes next. What you're | | | | important that they practice, then have an easy |
| also doing while you're taking the fall is looking for | | | | backup prepared. If the lack of understanding/ |
| the next opportunity to regain control of the | | | | misstep is about something that's not crucial to |
| situation. | | | | the presentation, skip it and move on. |
| Here are some suggestions on how to "take | | | | 4) Accept audience feedback. I wouldn't suggest |
| ukemi" when something doesn't go well during | | | | spending much time during your presentation |
| your presentation: | | | | getting into a big discussion with your audience on |
| 1) Take the fall. Set ego aside and be honest with | | | | why something didn't work. However, I would |
| yourself. If something's not working and you're | | | | take suggestions for improvement- perhaps one |
| the presenter, you're responsible to your audience. | | | | at the time of delivery and others as requested |
| Don't waste a moment assigning blame. Correct | | | | feedback after the presentation. |
| someone on your team later if necessary and/or | | | | This can be hard to swallow if you're The Expert |
| beneficial. | | | | onstage. Nevertheless, people do have a way of |
| 2) Have a sense of humor. In other words, admit | | | | having useful insights that may not have occurred |
| to yourself and your group that something's not | | | | to you. Those can be invaluable in helping you to |
| working. The ability to laugh at yourself is huge to | | | | craft your message to better suit your listeners. |
| relationship building and always an excellent tension | | | | |