People don’t like being caught off guard. Even the most accomplished professionals frequently ask me: “What do I do when I’m put on the spot?” They worry they’ll ramble, hedge, or get defensive.
As a workplace psychology expert and executive coach, I’ve spent the last 15 years showing leaders at companies like Google and Amazon how to communicate better. And I know that few things are more nerve-racking than speaking off the cuff.
Suddenly all eyes are on you and you have to think on your feet. Freeze up and you risk leaving the impression that you’re disorganized or unprepared. But stay composed, and you show that you can think clearly under pressure, which is a crucial element of executive presence.
Use these strategies to handle unexpected questions with poise and you’ll never be blindsided again.
Your instinct might be to deflect (“I’m probably not the best person to comment”) or water down your response with qualifiers (“Well, I don’t really know about other departments, but I think maybe from what I’ve heard…”). Neither option instills confidence.
