Why Presentation Bloopers Matter More Than You Think
/When people think of presentation coaches, they often imagine polished delivery, flawless pronunciation, and perfectly memorised scripts.
The truth?
Even coaches mess up — a lot.
Earlier this year, while filming some short videos, my daughter secretly captured my bloopers (funny mistakes when on camera in TV or film). And instead of hiding them, I decided to share them.
Why?
Because they make an important point: presenting is not about perfection. It’s about connection.
Below, I’ll share a few behind-the-scenes stories and lessons from those bloopers. And if you’d like to see the full reel (trust me, it’s worth a laugh), you’ll find it at the end.
Blooper #1: The Irony of Struggling to Read
“Professional speaker, struggling to read… oh, the irony.”
Making videos isn’t just switching on the camera and talking. Even for those of us who speak in public all the time, the simplest things can trip us up — like reading words on a page.
In one clip, I stumble over the text again and again. It reminded me of just how tough it must feel for:
Non-native speakers trying to get every word right
Introverts who would rather avoid the camera altogether
Leaders who feel pressured to sound “perfect”
The reality?
Videos are hard for everyone. And that’s okay. We learn, we laugh, and we improve each time.
Blooper #2: Take 18… This One Will Be Perfect. Promise.
Yes, you read that right. Take 18.
Making videos isn’t easy. Scripts get forgotten. Hands do awkward things. Giggles set in. And suddenly, what was meant to be a crisp 3 minute video takes… a lot longer.
But here’s the thing: mistakes, laughter, and re-takes are all part of the process. They remind us that what matters most isn’t a flawless delivery, but a human connection with the audience.
Blooper #3: Even Coaches Can’t Always Pronounce Words Properly
Turns out… I can’t always pronounce my words. 😅
In one blooper, I confidently said “main” when I meant “mean.” In another, I invented a brand new word: “disgwingwish” instead of “distinguish.”
If I — a native speaker who coaches others on presenting — can trip up like that, imagine how challenging it is for non-native speakers under pressure. And that’s exactly why I share these moments. They’re a reminder that small slips don’t ruin communication.
What counts is clarity, authenticity and impact.
A Special Thanks to My Film Crew
All of my online programmes have been filmed in my favourite film studio in Brussels, with the incredible help of my three children — all volunteering as my film assistants. Over the past few years, we’ve spent around three weeks in total filming together.
The bloopers you see here?
They were just taken from one single day, secretly recorded by my youngest daughter, Freya.
Their patience, encouragement, and continued belief in my mission — to empower professionals to communicate their ideas clearly and confidently, making the impact they deserve regardless of gender, culture, age, accent or English level — is unparalleled.
I’m deeply grateful for their support.
The Bigger Lesson Behind the Bloopers
Filming videos, speaking at a Town Hall, presenting in English when it’s not your first language… all of it is challenging. But perfection is never the goal.
Connection is.
When leaders and teams focus on building confidence, reducing stress, and communicating with authenticity, they inspire trust and drive change — even if they mispronounce a word or lose their train of thought.
And that’s why I share my own bloopers: because they show the reality behind the polished videos and stage moments. And because a sense of humour is often the best tool in any communicator’s toolkit.
🎬 Want to see the full blooper reel?
The complete mix of outtakes — mispronunciations, forgotten lines, and plenty of laughter — is waiting for you here below:
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