Hypocrisy is a painful ailment, in this case both for my pride and professionalism.
I suffered a dreadful bout of it last week, and I’m still feeling embarrassed.
I was teaching public speaking to a wonderful group of Nigerian MPs at the Moller Institute, part of Churchill College, University of Cambridge.
As you can see from the photo, we had a great time…
Eventually! Because it certainly wasn’t helped by the way my day with the group started.
A step back here.
Whenever I teach public speaking, presentations, interview skills, in fact so many of my courses, one of the most important lessons which runs through them all is…
Any guesses?
It’s critical for success just about everywhere and with most anything in life…
- Preparation and practice
You know the score. If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail etc etc.
The session with the MPs was all day long, high profile, one of the centrepieces of their week in Cambridge, and so I wanted to ensure it went well.
I put my presentation together weeks in advance, as I do, practised regularly, and was feeling well prepared for the day.
All good… so far!
Usually, I would cycle to the college.
But a few days beforehand I managed to trip over whilst out running and hurt my knee.
This made cycling difficult, so I decided to get a scooter.
Not a Vespa, although one day I would love one, given it was the favourite toy of my long-ago youth.
No, I mean an e-scooter, of which we have now have many around Cambridge.
All was well, the plan was in place, I was feeling content…
Up until the moment I put it into action, that is.
I told the Institute I would be with them for 8.30, so I set off with plenty of time to spare and arrived pretty much spot-on.
I parked the scooter… or tried to.
Because then came the first problem.
There are only certain designated parking zones, and the app wouldn't let me park at the Institute.
Okay, no problem. I quickly checked for alternative parking places…
And the nearest was a 10 minute walk away.
Yikes. Not good. Not good at all.
In fact, one of those sinking heart moments.
But there was nothing else for it except to head off to the parking place.
However, knowing that my hosts would be concerned if I hadn’t turned up on time, and being a good professional…
I hobbled into the centre, found a receptionist and asked her to say I would be back in about quarter of an hour.
I scooted off, found the parking place, and walked back as quickly as I could.
By now the time was 8.50, and the session was due to start at nine.
So although not ideal I still had enough time to be ready with at least a few minutes to spare.
I hobbled back into the centre, asked to be directed to the room…
And was told I was in the wrong building.
Which meant the receptionist hadn't told anyone about my plight because she had no idea who I was...
So my hosts didn’t know I was coming, were completely unaware of my troubles, and must be stressing big time.
Yikes part two.
It was the building I had worked in before when teaching at the Institute, but it’s a big place and stupidly I hadn’t checked where to be.
Now the time was five to nine…
So I shifted as fast as I could, given my aching knee, towards the right location.
And guess what?
What don’t you want in the slightest when you’ve got a sore, stiff and painful knee?
You guessed it. Our suite was upstairs.
So I gritted my teeth, hauled myself up what felt like a mountain of steps, and…
Made it with two minutes to spare, to be greeted with much relief.
I hadn’t checked my phone in the intervening time as I was too busy trying to actually get to my destination, but now found there were…
Seven missed calls!
I’m pleased to say, after I calmed down, my hosts were very kind and understanding; the session went brilliantly, the group were lovely, and we had a great time together.
But I nearly blew it from the start because of my hypocrisy.
So, the point being…
Practice and preparation don’t end with what it is you're presenting, or being interviewed for, or doing.
It’s the whole package around that as well.
Where it’s happening. Where you can park.
If stairs are involved, should you have a dodgy knee.
Pretty much everything you can think of in other words, to make sure your important moment goes well.
Take it from me, I know…
Courtesy of a painful and embarrassing lesson in hypocrisy.
By the way, if you need help with your public speaking and presentations, please feel free to get in touch via the website.
I'm always happy to do what I can to support you.
Ps. I promise to turn up in good time, having learnt my lesson from this unhappy episode!