You're about to give a motivational speech and your software crashes. What's your backup plan?
Facing a software crash right before a motivational speech can be nerve-wracking, but having a backup plan ensures you stay on track. Here's how to prepare:
How would you handle a tech failure before a big speech?
You're about to give a motivational speech and your software crashes. What's your backup plan?
Facing a software crash right before a motivational speech can be nerve-wracking, but having a backup plan ensures you stay on track. Here's how to prepare:
How would you handle a tech failure before a big speech?
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the unpredictability of technology! If my software crashes right before a motivational speech, I rely on the core principle of any great speaker: preparation First, I’d take a deep breath and remember that my most important tools—my passion, expertise, and ability to connect—are still intact I always have a structured outline or notes, either printed or on my phone, as a backup. If those aren't accessible, I’d focus on delivering key points from memory, using storytelling and audience interaction to create an engaging experience A speech isn’t just about slides or fancy tools—it’s about authenticity and impact. Sometimes, these moments remind us to embrace imperfection and adapt, which itself becomes a motivational lesson for the audience.
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Tech goof up do happen in many of my conferences. It is just a matter of acceptance which has helped me immediately to bring the conversation back in my control. As anyway all the inputs to the software was coming from my mind construct, acceptance of the situation put me into next action quickly and time taken to accept the situation matters a lot here. Having a note pad or even using the chart paper in the conference room helps to organise the thoughts and until then remain connected with the audience is a must. I advise to bring more connected energy in these moments to avoid any disappointment among the audience, rather having strong human connection & rather leverage the absence of technology, one can deliver more emphatic content.
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I strongly recommend on relying on the story telling concept. You just need to be you. It definitely requires pre-planning in order to link all facts together.
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Whenever you give a speech you should have hard copy with you so if your software crashes use your hard copy or engage the audience with relevant information/funny stories or experiences. It will help you to maintain a decorum and you will be able to overcome the situation smartly.
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Always a good idea to memorize (but not cram) your speech notes , so even if you experience a technical difficultly , you can always rely on your mind to come up with the talking points relevant to your speech . Even during a presentation with PowerPoint slides , one should not just read from the slides but instead focus on building a story and a conversation with the audience.
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If my software crashes, my backup plan is simple: I’ll speak from the heart. The message is the same, whether it’s in code or words - keep pushing forward, stay resilient, and adapt to whatever comes your way.
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Well, your speech hasn’t gone. So looks like you are speaking with snapshot pictures rather than a live demo of some sorts to give a good chat!
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I would absolutely ask for help, why not? there’s the possibility to fix it or maybe not but while I adjust my presentation and adapt myself to be under pressure, I can connect with my audience letting people know we don’t have to have all the answers all the time. Also, as a leader, study and get prepared is essential, so we always should be composed and resourceful to present the information (prints or handouts) , answer questions even though there’s no a software or a system to present the visuals.
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"Since I was a kid, I have always practiced my public speeches using small paper cards with main points and color-coded notes. I plan to use plastic see-through bags to store and review them in the shower. I will keep them in my purse, ready for a quick review whenever I have a free moment. This will boost my confidence, ensuring I am prepared for any challenge. A great pre-talk strategy is to ask my audience to write down their email addresses on a piece of paper. This way, I can send them the presentation to review on their cellphones while I'm sharing my story. This simultaneous approach will enhance their understanding of the topic."
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I have witnessed many speakers use wit to reference their written notes, to cover the topic they had planned for, when the software crashes, I find that purposeful. Also, it is important to factor that the content we share as slides is there to supplement and not the main story, so that way we aren't creating dependencies, not feeling helpless, and we are still able to function. The 'Preparedness' is visible and the audience feels respected that way.
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