It was how many nightmares begin, only this time it was real.  I was standing in front of 200 people ready to speak at sales conference.  My first slide had a link to a virtual poll that would get everyone’s input on the topic.  We had tested the link and the connection earlier in the morning, however when I clicked on it – you guessed it – nothing happened.  Except my stomach flipped. Earlier in my career I would have panicked.  I’d clicked around in vain, stammered excuses, perhaps called out from some help.  All while losing valuable audience attention and credibility. Fortunately the Improv training I had taken for several years prepared me for just such occasions.  Instead of giving in to the panic, I considered how I could use what was given to me. I pointed out the audience 3 different parts of the room and associated each Read More