Should You Speak When You’re Sick? What Joe Biden’s Debate Disaster Teaches Executives About Protecting Their Reputation

Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance triggered global debate. His team explained his weak voice as a cold, and others pointed to his demanding international schedule. Whether or not those excuses were true, the world saw only one thing: an underperforming speaker.

And in today’s unforgiving communication environment, audiences judge what they see — not the backstory.

So what about business leaders in 日本企業 and 外資系企業?
Event dates are set early. Opportunities are rare. Hosts expect you to show up. You feel obligated.

But should you “soldier on” anyway?

Mini-Summary:
Reputation damage lasts far longer than the inconvenience of rescheduling — and audiences rarely forgive visible underperformance.

Biden’s debate showed a hard truth:
Audiences do not give sympathy points.

No one said, “He did poorly, but he had a cold.”
People judged what they saw — and Biden’s brand took a massive hit.

In business, it’s the same:

• A cold

• Food poisoning

• Toothache

• Exhaustion

• Jet lag

These may feel like valid reasons for subpar performance. But corporate audiences are busy, skeptical, and hyper-critical. They will not forgive an unimpressive presentation simply because you weren’t at your best.

Mini-Summary:
Illness does not justify weak delivery in the eyes of your audience — what they see defines your professional brand.

Opportunities to speak publicly in Japan are limited. Even fluent Japanese speakers may only receive a handful of chances each year. Event organizers expect punctuality, completion, and a smooth program — not fireworks.

If you show up sick and underperform:

• Organizers feel no responsibility

• They will not apologize for scheduling rigidity

• They simply assume you came prepared

• Your reputation pays the price

And the audience never forgets:

“I saw him speak once — he was dreadful.”

That label can stick for decades in Japan’s small, relationship-driven business community.

Mini-Summary:
Because opportunities to speak are rare in Japan, poor performance is far more damaging and long-lasting.

Not even close. Rescheduling is forgotten in 24 hours.

A reputation-destroying speech is remembered for 24 years.

In Biden’s case, had he delayed the debate, the news cycle would have moved on quickly. Instead, his poor performance became a global narrative. The long-term damage far outweighed the inconvenience of postponement.

For business leaders:

• Your brand is permanent

• A poor performance becomes part of your story

• Rescheduling does not

Mini-Summary:
Delaying a talk is a temporary inconvenience; delivering a weak one is permanent brand damage.

Absolutely not.

Many Japanese speakers begin with excuses:

• “I am not a very good speaker.”

• “I caught a cold.”

• “I didn’t have enough time to prepare.”

Japanese audiences interpret this as tatemae — superficial humility — and they ignore it entirely.

Worse:
It signals weakness before you even start.

From that moment on, the audience expects a disastrous performance.

Mini-Summary:
Announcing illness or poor preparation never earns sympathy — it instantly lowers audience expectations and credibility.

If you perform below your usual standard, you:

• Damage your leadership brand

• Reduce your perceived competence

• Lower future speaking invitations

• Undermine internal and external confidence

• Create a negative story people retell about you

Great reputations take decades to build but seconds to erode.

As the old Davy Crockett line goes:
Live to fight another day.

If you cannot defend your brand at that moment, reschedule.

Mini-Summary:
Your brand is non-negotiable. Protect it above all else — even if it means cancelling.

• Audiences never factor in excuses like illness or travel fatigue.

• Japan offers few speaking opportunities — each one carries high stakes.

• Rescheduling is forgotten quickly; poor performance is remembered for years.

• Don’t begin a talk with excuses — it destroys credibility immediately.

• Protect your professional brand by choosing to speak only when you can perform at full strength.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI.
Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese companies and multinational firms ever since.