A marketing director discovered his habit of over-preparing for pitches made him rigid and less effective. After accidentally winning a pitch while severely hungover and unscripted, he realized that a more natural, relaxed presentation allows for better use of experience and adaptability.
An agency director showed up to a joint pitch at a partner's office while severely hungover. While it ended well, the situation highlights the magnified risk; poor performance would have damaged not only his own company's reputation but also the professional standing of the host agency that vouched for him.
Despite being so intoxicated he couldn't remember his pitch, a creative director won a major client. His partner agency didn't even notice his condition. This suggests that projecting a relaxed, uninhibited demeanor can be more influential than delivering a perfectly memorized but tense presentation.