How to start over when you f##k up.
Paul Matthews
I help experts, leaders and professionals pioritise progress, lift impact and get better results. Bestselling Author | Top Voice for Leadership | No BS.
Live performances are something that really inspire me. They are raw and the energy is infectious.
Usually.
I was at a three day music festival over the weekend. A really big/famous US band were on the main stage. And 95% of the attendees were at that stage. But I was not enjoying the show. It felt self indulgent and was dragging on. And I can be intolerant. So....
My wife and I went to the “other stage” where a comparatively unknown Aussie female performer, Maddy Jane, was just starting. There were about 50 people in the really large tent. It felt awkward. But she said that she was “made up we had made the effort, when those big guys are on over there”.
I could tell Maddy was nervous. She was a little unfocused and the crowd felt it. She confessed it was her first festival in 3 years.
Her performance seemed a bit stiff. It went on for two songs like that. Then it all came to a head. She stopped the set. BOOM!
Silence.
“I f#cked up and forgot my own words. Sorry everyone. Now let’s start over….”.
I was shocked. BUT….
From that moment the whole atmosphere changed.
Her performance cranked right up. She stepped right into her power. She seemed taller even. She had let go. Her singing was on point and louder. She was smiling and enjoying every single moment.
She had nothing to lose. So she leaned-in...came alive.
After three songs I turned around and noticed the tent was almost full. The atmosphere was amazing. She was on fire.
领英推荐
THESE THREE THINGS:
When a high stakes moment doesn’t feel right for you, don’t be afraid to restart.
Just like Maddy Jane. Try THESE THREE THINGS:
1.??????Call it. Explain that it hasn’t gone to plan. And that you are going to start over, respectfully, in a way the audience responds to.
2.??????Give it your all. Holding back won’t win you any fans. And you will disappoint yourself more than anyone else.
3.??????Enjoy the moment. Lean in and give it your best. That is all you can do.
Did you ever mess up and recover well? Or maybe you didnt. I would love to hear more.
P :)
I love helping leaders lean-in, let go and lift up their game.?Reach out if you want to have a call about this or something similar.
Paul Matthews helps leaders and teams build impact and trust using powerful conversations.
Learn more at www.paulmatthews.com.au or email [email protected]
Maddy Jane inspired me when she got things wrong.
Leadership. Service. Culture - Speaker | Trainer | Author
2 年I absolutely love this article Paul Matthews - and what a powerful story of being brave, real and then just letting go! What a moment to have witnessed, so many lessons for work and life! ????
Oh boy did you nail this. Standing in your power and having the confidence to reset isn't easy but as you showed, powerfully effective. Great story Paul, thanks for sharing.
Risk Professional | Product Owner | ACPO | CPO | QFA | MII
2 年It took me many years to realise that genuine and sincere people will provide the empathy . As soon as you can feed on the empathy , you get your game on and even perform better . Never doubt yourself !
Speaker | Author | Mentor | Host and Moderator | B2B Influencer | “World’s Leading Expert on location-based VR” | 10X Entrepreneur | INC500 | NASDAQ IPO
2 年I gave a keynote in Brussels last year and the slides I sent the organizer were the wrong ones. I stumbled over the presentation until I stopped and told the crown what happened. Then freestyles and it was one of the most engaged speeches I’ve ever given.
Communication Leadership Coach. Strategic Adviser. High-Stakes Communication Expert. Author. Empowering female leaders through powerful, influential communication. Seeking meaningful board roles.
2 年Absolutely fabulous story Paul. Beautifully written, great message. Such courage. Inspirational