How to Handle Presentation Mishaps with Confidence

Eleni KelakosAudience Engagement, Keynote Speaking, Performance Anxiety, Performance Techniques, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Promotion Tips, Public Speaking

You’re mid-speech, in the zone—and then it happens. You trip, forget your next line, or knock your water over. Welcome to the world of presentation mishaps, where even seasoned pros take a tumble. Literally. I once fell off a raised stage in front of 300 dental professionals. While adjusting to new glasses and feeling fired up, I stepped too close to the edge and—boom! Down I went. Skirt flying, limbs flailing. Graceful? Not even close. The crowd gasped. I popped up, raised a hand, and said, “I’m good! Nothing’s broken—except maybe my ego!” We all laughed, the tension eased, and …

To Be A Better Leader, Be A Better Speaker

Eleni KelakosCompany Growth, Confident Speakers, Executive Presence, Performance Techniques, Promotion Tips, Speaking Engagements

Ashok, a mid-level manager and new presence and presentation coaching client, shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “The problem,” he said, “is that in order to be promoted at my company, I need to be able to speak confidently in front of larger and larger groups. But even though I keep being offered opportunities to do it, I turn them down because I’m just so uncomfortable speaking in public. Last week, my boss suggested I give a presentation at a conference that’s coming up, to gain some visibility and credibility. But I found a way to squirm out of it, like …