You’re in the middle of an important presentation, and a question destabilizes you. You try to resume, but you’re out of it. Your audience senses it.
You play a very fair game of chess, you make a mistake and lose your queen in a rush, your next move is also wrong, and you lose your rook.
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
Why is this happening?
The first move brings a moment of confusion. We made a mistake.
Driven by the ego, the fear, the anger, our first reaction is to rush. Those emotions are rarely a good advisor, and they often transform a complex situation still manageable, into a chaotic situation.
How to break the cycle?
- Take a deep breath. If the situation allows it, close your eyes, take a few steps, put water on your face…do something that brings you back to the now.
- Recognize your mistake. Say to your inner voice that you are going to treat it later and learn from it. If feasible, take a quick note of the error on any support. It will free your mind, and you’ll gain clarity of what needs to be done now. Quit the “Why have I done that?” to the “How can I make the best of this situation?”
- Review all your options. In many situations, we have more than one option. Review them quickly. Your previous mistake has changed the context. You may need to adapt your plan.
- Think, but don’t overthink. Fear can paralyze you. It does not help to review the same thought over and over. Make your different iterations and take your next steps.
It’s not the first mistake that is the issue – we all make errors, it’s how we react to them which is the key.
Leaders who embrace a growth mindset are 44% more likely to be seen as effective. (Source: Harvard Business Review)
You can end your presentation beautifully and pass on your ideas.
You can still win the chess game.
In a complex case, calm can save you from chaos.
Stay calm. Think clearly. Recover stronger.
Your view?
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