If you've never been involved in live television, allow me to describe it to you. Picture yourself in front of millions of people, with ...
If you've never been involved in live television, allow me to describe it to you. Picture yourself in front of millions of people, with bright lights shining, cameras capturing every moment, and the director giving directions through your earpiece—whileYour microphone's battery is running out, the interview guest has abruptly vanished, and breaking news is emerging quicker than your mind can handle.
Welcome to my world.
Following many years of presenting live television and overseeing significant national occasions, I have reached a single realization:Any leader who acquires the abilities necessary for live streaming will have a strong influence in meetings.Why? Because the studio and the executive suite follow the same principles—pressure, uncertainty, and the skill to convey your thoughts effectively even when your inner voice is whispering,Hey, what's going on here?
I'd like to highlight some notable live broadcast moments and the management insights they contain.
1. When technology turns against you: the microphone disaster
One morning during a live television broadcast, my lapel microphone stopped working—just as I was in the middle of an important interview. The sound technician became frozen. The guest also froze. Even the camera appeared to stop breathing. However, the program needed to continue.
So I moved forward, raised my voice, and kept talking as though everything was fine. A few minutes later, the microphone was replaced discreetly, and we continued.
Leadership lesson
Technology may let you down at the most inconvenient time—such as when the board is expecting your strategic presentation or during a pitch to investors. Composed leaders remain calm, adjust quickly, and keep moving forward without showing their fear. Your self-assurance matters more than the equipment you use.
2. When the unforeseen arrives—literally
At another instance, a visitor came along with an unexpected guest: their large family dog. As the cameras were recording, the dog wandered across the set, intrigued by the lights. I found it delightful; the crew was horrified.
I just smiled, let the dog enter the frame to rest near its owner's feet, and steered the conversation back to the topic.
Leadership lesson
Unforeseen factors can interrupt your meetings—people arriving late, emotionally charged employees, fresh information, and changing goals. Leaders who remain calm during these disruptions earn trust. Flexibility isn't random; it's developed through practice.
3. When urgent news forces you to discard your script
Live television does not value your meticulously crafted script. I remember a morning news segment where unexpected breaking news occurred just seconds before we went on air. All the preparation we had done became useless. The producers rushed around. The script was altered in the middle of a sentence. I had to rely on context, recollection, and intuition.
Leadership lesson
Being able to adapt with assurance is a vital leadership quality. Industries change, rivals act, and unexpected challenges arise. Leaders who can reason, communicate, and make decisions during stressful times are the ones others choose to follow. While preparation lays the groundwork, adaptability establishes trust.
4. When you are unaware of the answer (yet need to appear knowledgeable)
Indeed, even experienced speakers face challenging questions during live presentations. The key is not to have all the answers, but to remain composed, seek clarification, and guide the conversation wisely.
Leadership lesson
During board meetings, acting as if you know everything can quietly harm your career. Successful leaders handle stress by pursuing understanding, remaining calm, and replying with care rather than haste.
The main point: effective communication during stressful situations can be developed through practice.
Here's the reality: I didn't come into the world with "TV nerves of steel." I developed them. By practicing, receiving guidance, getting input, and experiencing numerous humbling situations with microphones, dogs, and live news coverage.
Leaders and business owners encounter comparable challenges every day—expectations from stakeholders, critical presentations, demanding board members, and volatile markets. Effective communication turns into the arena where professional standing is made or broken.
The positive aspect is that you can prepare for it.
The abilities that helped me remain stable during live TV—flexibility, clarity, calmness, and purpose—are the very skills that enable leaders to thrive in boardrooms throughout Ghana and further afield.
Final thought
If you can endure the turmoil of live television, you can handle any leadership obstacle. And with proper preparation,youcan convey the same composed assurance—regardless of who is observing.
Ultimately, in leadership as well as in broadcasting, the message holds significance...but the person delivering it is even more crucial.
>>> Need coaching? Email kafuidey.mc@gmail.com today.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
