Great public speakers are often not better at speaking but simply better at reacting to mistakes they make.

Skilled speakers confidently move past blunders so well that the audience almost immediately forgets that it happened.

Sometimes they do it so well; you like them more because of the mistake. These speakers so quickly embrace their error and integrate it into their message; it’s downright endearing.

They aren’t better speakers.

They are better at handling mistakes.

Many people trying to become better speakers focus so much on eliminating errors, the tension only gets worse. Despite the hours, days, and weeks of practice, the frustration of each mistake can be infuriating.

While practicing speaking is essential, a significant amount of time should be dedicated to handling mistakes.

If you watch closely, even the best speakers in the world stumble. Often.

You will too.

The ease with which we acknowledge, embrace, and move on from our mistakes says a lot about who we are as speakers.

It shows confidence, not just as a speaker – but as a person.