I've got a confession to make. You know how I always share tips on what to do (and what not to do) in virtual meetings? Well, I recently had a real “Do as I say, not as I do” moment when I had a technical issue in a virtual presentation.
Let me walk you through what happened and how I should have handled it.
What Went Wrong
Early in the presentation (right after a glowing introduction) I tried to share a video, and it didn’t work. Now, this was after I had adjusted all the settings in Zoom and practiced it with my cohost to ensure it would run. Once I realized it wasn’t going to work, instead of handling it smoothly, I started explaining what went wrong, which only made the situation worse. I got caught up in the moment, letting my frustration take over. The detailed breakdown of the technical issue I delivered to my audience was neither necessary nor helpful.
What Not to Do
1. Don't Panic
Panicking and overreacting to a technical glitch can distract your audience and undermine your credibility.
2. Don’t Give a Blow-by-Blow
Providing a detailed explanation of what went wrong and how you’re trying to fix it isn’t helpful and can bore or frustrate your audience.
3. Don’t Dwell on It
Spending too much time on the error takes away from your main message and can derail your presentation.
What to Do Instead
1. Stay Calm
Maintain your composure and stay confident. Your audience will take cues from you.
2. Acknowledge Briefly
Briefly acknowledge the issue without going into detail. A simple “Looks like we’re having a minor tech issue, let’s move on” is often enough.
3. Have a Backup Plan
Always have a backup plan in place. If one feature or tool isn’t working, be ready to switch to another or adjust your approach. (See one I could have had ready in the video)
4. Keep the Focus on Your Message
Redirect the focus back to your main points as quickly as possible. Your audience is there to hear your message, not to learn about your tech troubles.
5. Use Humor
If appropriate, use a bit of humor to lighten the mood. I’ve always tried to live this Improv rule of: Use it, Lose it, or Laugh at it. This can help you connect with your audience and show that you’re handling the situation gracefully.
A Better Approach
Technical difficulties are inevitable, but handling them gracefully and quickly is key. Watch my video to see how I could have handled the situation with more poise and professionalism – and respect for my audience.
