When Overconfidence Backfires: My Public Speaking Nightmare

Have you ever stood in front of an audience, convinced you were about to nail it, only to feel the ground slip from under your feet as everything went wrong?

That was me, years ago, as a young military cadet, full of bravado and ready to impress. I thought I had it all figured out - a surefire joke to win over the crowd and ace my public speaking challenge.

But as I stood there, confidence oozing out of me, I realised too late that my joke was about to backfire spectacularly.

What followed was a lesson in humility, delivered by a very unimpressed Colour Sergeant, and accompanied by two heavy fire buckets filled with wet sand. The days that followed were gruelling, both physically and mentally, but the experience taught me more about #leadership, #resilience, and the dangers of #overconfidence than I could have ever imagined.

Key Takeaways:

• Overconfidence can be your undoing. It’s important to prepare thoroughly, even when you feel like you’ve got it in the bag.
• Humility is key. A little humility can save you from a lot of pain (and physical exertion).
• Learn from your mistakes. Every failure is an opportunity to grow - if you’re willing to reflect and adapt.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing the full story on my Substack. Whether you’re a leader, a speaker, or someone who’s faced the sting of overconfidence, there’s something in it for you.

?? Have you ever been too confident for your own good? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your stories!

#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #PublicSpeaking #Overconfidence #LessonsLearned #SelfDevelopment