Picture you’re about to give a speech and someone is introducing you…
At this exact moment you sneeze.
As you sneeze – your waist button pops off. BUT YOU DON’T REALIZE THIS.
You get center stage and everyone is laughing and pointing at your feet.
This day-mare was MY day-mare!
I like making audience’s laugh but I had not said anything.
I look down and see my red/gray plaid pleated skirt hovering over my black pumps.
I am pleased to have one daughter, one son, one bachelors, one masters, one longhorn cow named Bliss, and one husband. On THAT day – I was extremely pleased to have on the ONE SLIP!!!!!!!!
You give 3 speeches every time you open your mouth ➜
- The one in your head.
- The one you give.
- The perfect one… later … in your car, kitchen or empty board room,
On THAT day – the perfect speech (in the car) was, “You got way more than you paid for!”
Ways to regroup ➜
- Don’t cry. (I did 🙄)
- Laugh at yourself while getting help to fix the problem.
- Remind yourself that embarrassing moments turn into The Best Story Material Ever. (I tell this story to most audiences!)
- Take a selfie ahead of time to make sure your attire looks the way you want it to look.
- Before your gig check all your snaps, buttons, zippers to make sure everything functions.
- Wear an elastic waistband!
And now…
If that girl standing in front of that audience with her skirt on the ground could be standing here today (wearing stretch pants) having a blast writing, speaking and consulting on how you communicate, then all things are possible!!!
© 2024 Karen Cortell Reisman, Speak For Yourself® CEO. All rights reserved.
Great story – and a good reminder that anything that doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. And funnier.
Roger – you hit upon the best outcome from a blooper — FINDING THE HUMOR and then using that humor in a story. We know that stories make our messages more sticky… and the best stories are ones where the storyteller is not the hero. My skirt falling down (for better or worse!) is a good story because it’s self deprecating.
I once had to give a speech to co-workers and my podium was a giant roll of bubble-wrap. I was terrified and clutched the bubble-wrap so tightly I loudly popped a bubble. Laughter from the audience and I said “I guess I am a little nervous”. That broke the ice and it was easier after that!
Susan – you have a vivid imagination!! But crazy stuff does happen and I love it when the audience’s laughter breaks the ice.