Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos

How to Think on Your Feet

Episode Notes

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? 

Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/

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