How to Think on Your Feet

In an ideal world, everything goes as planned. Everyone asks the questions you expect and nothing throws you. You and I both know this is not the case. Even for the most well-prepared moment, someone will ask a question or comment that derails your entire thought process, and you’re left with only one option: to think on your feet. Listen to this episode for tips on handling these circumstances with confidence.

Tangible Takeaways:

Ask these two framing questions when something unexpected occurs: ask, “what’s needed here?” and secondly, “what’s required of me.”
The key to thinking on your feet is being cognizant of those around you versus focusing on yourself. This information is vital for quick assessments!
If you tend to interject and react too quickly, create a mantra such as “stop, pause, breathe” that you say to yourself to stop yourself from speaking prematurely.
The best way to get better at thinking on your feet is to sign up for an improv class! Or have someone practice with you by drilling you with questions.
Create space for a “parking lot.” When something doesn’t quite fit into the discussion, move it into the “parking lot” and circle back to it at the end.

Some resources for you:

Want to see how you score as a confident communicator?

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Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Episodes also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world’s most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.

Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: Words to Avoid | Karen Laos

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Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/

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Episodes also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

My book “Trust Your Own Voice”:

https://karenlaos.com/book/