On April 13th, 1970, an oxygen tank exploded aboard the Apollo 13 space rocket. This disabled many essential functions of the craft, including electrical power, propulsion, and, critically for the three astronauts, the oxygen supply. Commander Jim Lovell opened the coms to Mission Control, Houston. “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” This was a massive understatement.
A presentation is not lunar exploration, but things can go very wrong and leave you feeling helpless, floating without direction and believing the end has come. Together, the team in Houston and the three astronauts used teamwork, resilience and improvisation to bring Apollo 13 back into the Earth’s atmosphere and land in the Pacific Ocean. All three of the crew were alive. Whatever goes wrong with a presentation, you too can return safely.
There are problems that one can predict and therefore minimise by positive action ahead of time. Issues of software, connectivity and broadcast should be investigated as far ahead as possible. Ensure that everything is in place and functional by “the session before”, whatever that entails. Arrive early, go during the break or even the day before and ensure that when you deliver your opening line, anything that could go wrong has been excluded and everything is going well. Never assume or hope; check. This is teamwork.
Once the presentation has begun, there are additional issues that can come to bear. Previous speakers overrunning is the most common problem. Verify what time you have allocated before you begin and ensure you will finish before that. If necessary, trim the presentation. Do not “jump” slides or rush. Do not blame previous speakers. If technology lets you down, then stop. You should be able to continue “commando” but concentrate only on your punchline, not content. Avoid the inevitable scrum of helpful onlookers. Stop, gather your thoughts and deliver, if necessary without the slides or microphone or video playback. This is resilience.
Never use a script. The issues above highlight part of the problem. Remember that the audience will only receive this version of your presentation; for them, it is the best. They are not comparing or checking. If you feel lost, then stop. Retreat one space and the flow will return. The rising fear relates only to your expectation of perfection, not the audience’s experience. Sometimes, the result is even better. Do not apologise or seek help. In the “worst” situation, simply move on to the next step. If the issue was fundamental, it will return to you. If it is not, no one except you needs to know. This is improvisation.
A presentation may feel like it is an out-of-control spaceship careening across the sky. This is not true. You are in control. Sometimes there will be a message beamed to your internal control centre, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” It was in the past tense. Using teamwork, resilience and improvisation, you can bring the craft to land.