The Presentation that Never Was: A Tech Glitch Tale

We’ve all been there—preparing for a big presentation, double-checking every detail, and rehearsing until it’s perfect. But sometimes, despite all our efforts, things just don’t go as planned.

It was a critical client meeting, and I had spent days crafting the perfect presentation. I arrived early to ensure everything was set up correctly. As the meeting began, I confidently connected my laptop to the projector...and then nothing. The screen remained blank. I tried again, and still, nothing. My heart sank as I realized that my laptop had decided to freeze at the worst possible moment.

My initial reaction was panic. I could feel the eyes of the room on me as I fumbled with the cables, desperately trying to reboot my computer. After what felt like an eternity, I had to admit defeat. With a deep breath, I turned to the clients and said, "Looks like my laptop has stage fright—let’s try something different." We ended up having a productive discussion without the slides, and in the end, the meeting went better than expected.

Lessons from a Tech Fail

Perfection is Boring. Vulnerability is the New Black

Have you ever felt like you needed to be perfect in your role? I certainly did. ?This mindset led to late nights, missed personal moments, and a constant feeling of inadequacy - classic imposter syndrome. I feared that if I didn’t have all the answers, people would think less of me. Admitting to my team that I was struggling and needed help was incredibly tough, but it was also freeing. Embracing vulnerability showed me that perfection isn’t the goal, but growth is.

Try Walking in their Shoes

As Depeche Mode would say, "Try walking in my shoes." We should try to walk in others' shoes too. Understanding others can be incredibly challenging. We often view situations through the lens of our own experiences, fears, and motivations. Reflecting with compassion means recognizing that everyone has their struggles and drivers. It’s about being kind to ourselves when we make mistakes and extending that same kindness to others.?

You got this, I believe in you...

...But if everything goes wrong, I'll be there for you and I will be there with you. (Simon Sinek)?

Psychological safety is essential for innovation and growth. As a leader, I always try to create an environment where my team feels safe to voice their ideas, ask questions, and admit mistakes without fear of ridicule or punishment. It’s equally important to create this safe space for ourselves. By showing vulnerability and acknowledging our own mistakes, we model the behaviour we wish to see.?

Many companies declaratively state that they are cultivating a culture of "learning from mistakes," but do you truly feel this in your everyday work environment?

Too often, I see people in fear, shamed, or anxious about making mistakes. They hesitate to share their errors, worried about potential repercussions or judgment from peers and managers. This fear kills creativity and innovation, leading to a culture where mistakes are hidden rather than used as opportunities for learning and growth.

I say, cheers to being brave enough to admit our faults, compassionate enough to learn from them, and wise enough to share our experiences.