From Mistake to Message

The highest-level recovery turns the mistake into content. If your slides crash, talk about the danger of over-reliance on tech. If you lose your train of thought, speak to the value of simplicity. A well-used mistake becomes the most memorable part of the talk.

Practice recovering from mistakes in safe environments. Ask a trusted friend to interrupt your practice talk randomly. Have someone pull the plug on your slides mid-sentence. Rehearse losing your place and recovering with the power admission structure.