The Sign Said “Zipper!”
Posted on September 26th, 2008 by Cynthia D'Amour
UGH!
So there I was giving the kick-off keynote address to about 500 volunteer leaders.
- It was a few minutes into the program.
- I was already in the groove.
- Lift-off was smooth!
Until, that is, the association staff person at table in front of me held up a sign saying “Zipper!”
- I blinked hard hoping I was seeing things.
- Then I wondered what color underwear I had on.
- AARGH!!!!
I gracefully turned around, pulled up the zipper - and kept talking.
- The people in front laughed - they knew what I did.
- The people in the back laughed - they thought I was doing a weird dance to make a point.
- (I’m glad it worked for them.)
I shook my internal head and didn’t miss a beat of my speech.
- A few years ago, I would have beat myself up and stumbled in my thoughts.
- Today I had no reaction - neither good or bad.
- My zipper fiasco just was.
Boy have I grown a lot!
Makes me think of chapter leaders… how have you grown as a leader over the past few years?
Filed under: Savvy Leadership
Hey, I was one of the volunteer leaders in the back. I remember wondering why you turned around, and then heard you say something about a “zipper moment.”
I loved it–made you seem like one of us–after all, we’ve all had similar experiences, and it was great that you just kept going.
Great conference!
I was in the front. I honestly thought that you did it on purpose as a way to prove a point that you can shake off an embarrasing moment, even when it is in front of 500 people. Either way, you didn’t die, and no one took you less seriously. You are a wonderful speaker! =)
Janna: Thanks for stopping by - and the props about the moment. Never thought about my zipper down actually helping to connect with an audience…
Michelle: On down, on purpose? You obviously did not see the underwear I had on!
Thanks for the kind words and checking out my blog!