Grit, Grafts, and Getting It Wrong: Why Manchester’s Spirit Makes It the Perfect Place to Fail Forward in Public Speaking

Manchester isn’t a city that plays it safe. It’s the birthplace of revolutionary ideas, chart-topping bands, game-changing businesses, and bold activism. From the suffragettes to the Stone Roses, the city has always backed those brave enough to speak up—even if they stumble at first.

So why should public speaking be any different?

Failure on stage—whether it’s forgetting your words during a pitch in Spinningfields or freezing at a TEDx Manchester audition—is not the end. It’s often the beginning of something much greater. In this post, we’ll explore how embracing failure is not only vital for growth in public speaking but completely in line with Manchester’s resilient and ambitious DNA.

Meet the Mancunian Who Froze—and Fought Back

Aisha, a postgraduate student at the University of Manchester, had always been outspoken among friends. But when she stood up to deliver her student union hustings speech, everything changed. Her heart pounded, her mind blanked, and her voice wobbled. The silence in the room felt deafening.

Mortified, she assumed her speaking days were over. But six months later, Aisha joined a local Toastmasters group in Deansgate, determined to face her fear. Week by week, she rebuilt her confidence.

Today, she delivers strategy pitches for a growing tech startup in MediaCity. And she still tells the story of her worst speech to encourage others to keep going.

Her journey is far from unique. In fact, it’s the norm.

Why Failure Feels So Brutal—and Why It Works

Public speaking touches some of our deepest insecurities: the fear of judgement, the loss of control, the vulnerability of visibility. When we fail in front of others, the emotional sting can be intense.

But this is exactly what makes failure such a potent teacher:

• It leaves a mark: We remember emotional moments—especially painful ones—more vividly, which helps us learn more effectively.

• It drives self-reflection: When a talk goes wrong, we ask “why?” And in answering that question, we grow.

• It builds empathy and authenticity: Sharing your struggles makes you more relatable. Your audience doesn’t want perfection—they want connection.

Manchester: A City Built for Bold Voices

There’s a reason Manchester produces so many iconic communicators. It’s a city of expression, fuelled by a working-class ethos that prizes authenticity over polish. It’s the perfect environment to practise, falter, reflect, and improve.

Whether you’re addressing a room in the Northern Quarter, pitching a project at Manchester Science Park, or warming up for a TEDx stage, Manchester offers countless spaces to learn by doing—and sometimes by failing.

Here are a few places to practise and grow:

• Toastmasters Manchester (Deansgate & Didsbury)

• TEDxManchester auditions and open-mic events

• Ignite Manchester (5-minute lightning talks that often lead to lifelong lessons)

• University societies at MMU, UoM, and Salford

Each of these is a low-risk, high-growth space where getting it wrong is expected—and respected.

Common Speaking Setbacks—and How to Embrace Them

1. Stage Fright

Almost everyone experiences nerves. It’s not a flaw, it’s a feature.

How to overcome it in Manchester style:

• Use short local gigs to build confidence gradually

• Practise grounding techniques like square breathing

• Visualise success—not perfection, but progress

  
  

2. Flat Delivery

Your message is strong, but your tone is flat. The audience zones out.

Turn it around:

• Read lyrics, poetry, or even Mancunian football chants aloud to build vocal variety

• Record yourself speaking and analyse your tone

• Work on pace, pitch, and pause as performance tools

  
  

3. Losing the Audience

You see them checking their phones or glancing around. You’ve lost them.

Re-engage by:

• Using local references (everyone loves a good joke about the trams or the weather)

• Asking rhetorical or real questions

• Sharing short, sharp stories that are rooted in personal or regional relevance

  
  

4. Disorganised Content

You ramble. You repeat yourself. You forget the point.

Fix it by:

• Following the tried-and-tested 3-part structure (Intro – 3 key points – Conclusion)

• Using signposts (“Now let’s move onto...”) to guide your audience

• Rehearsing with bullet points, not full scripts

  
  

Expert Advice: Use Failure as a Training Ground

Top speakers across the UK credit their breakthroughs to their early blunders. Here’s how to speed up your learning:

• Feedback is your friend: Ask specific questions—“Was I clear?”, “Did I vary my pace?”

• Film yourself: Yes, it’s cringey. But it’s also the fastest way to spot improvement opportunities

• Fail in front of forgiving crowds: That poetry night in Ancoats or business breakfast in Chorlton might just be your best classroom

  
  

Try This: The Failure Reflection Framework

After your next speech:

1. List 2 things that didn’t go well

2. Write 1 reason why each happened

3. Note 2 things you did better than expected

4. Set one micro-goal for your next talk (e.g. “Hold eye contact for 3 seconds per person”)

Keep a log. You’ll be amazed by how fast you grow.

Why Manchester Is the Best Place to Fail (and Succeed)

Here’s the truth: public speaking isn’t about natural talent. It’s about persistence. Manchester’s creative energy, collaborative spirit, and proud tradition of speaking truth to power make it the perfect city to learn in public.

If you’ve bombed a speech, forgotten your words, or panicked at the podium—you’re in good company. That was your first step, not your last.

Ready to Level Up Your Speaking Game in Manchester?

If you're based in Greater Manchester and ready to turn failure into fuel, let’s talk. With personalised coaching, I can help you:

• Identify and overcome your specific barriers

• Accelerate your development with proven methods

• Present with confidence in any setting—boardroom, classroom, or stage

You don’t need to wait until you feel “ready.” The best time to begin is now.

Let’s work together to transform your setbacks into your strongest assets. Whether you’re preparing for a business pitch, academic defence, or public event, I’ll help you step up and speak out—with clarity, confidence, and real Mancunian grit.

Get in touch today to book your first session or a discovery call. Your next audience is waiting.