| Many times we are put into situations where | | | | information. |
| we are asked a question and need to give an | | | | |
| answer on the spot, or "think on your feet." | | | | * Allows you to take control of the question |
| It could be a sales or customer service | | | | by rephrasing the question to a more positive |
| situation, your manager asking you for a | | | | light if needed. |
| progress report, a request for your ideas on | | | | |
| a new community project, or a job interview. | | | | * Enables everyone, if in a public setting, |
| | | | to hear the question. |
| During these times we can feel the pressure. | | | | |
| Our heart begins to race, we start to sweat, | | | | 4. Focus on One Main Point and Support It |
| we feel our knees knocking, or we want to | | | | |
| hide under a rock. This is because sometimes | | | | The number one reason why we sometimes freeze |
| the answer we give could mean that big sale, | | | | up when asked to think on our feet is because |
| the customer being satisfied, a promotion or | | | | we have so many ideas running around in our |
| raise, or that dream job. | | | | minds. We don't know which idea to mention. |
| | | | |
| The following are five secrets to help you | | | | Here's the solution: Go with the first idea |
| master your "thinking on your feet" skills: | | | | that comes to mind and say it. By sticking |
| | | | with that one point you can focus on two or |
| 1. Listen | | | | three supporting points. You sound more |
| | | | direct and confident when giving your answer. |
| Many times when we are in a high pressure | | | | |
| situation where we are so nervous we really | | | | 5. Summarize and Stop (SAS) |
| don't hear the actual question. Been there, | | | | |
| done that. To make sure we understand the | | | | End your answer with some SAS (Summarize and |
| question and give the right answer do the | | | | Stop). Give your answer, summarize, and |
| following: | | | | stop. Don't apologize and don't ramble on |
| | | | beyond the finish. Try this trick: repeat |
| - Breathe slower (Benefit: Relaxes body and | | | | the essence of the question. For example, |
| mind). | | | | you may be asked, "Why did you stop the |
| | | | project?" In your summary you might say, |
| - Look directly at the questioner. (Benefit: | | | | "And that's why we decided to start another |
| Increases comprehension.) | | | | project." Then stop. |
| | | | |
| - Ask questions (Benefit: increases clarity | | | | Give your answer, let them know the end is |
| and shows you are listening). | | | | near by saying: |
| | | | |
| 2. Pause to Organize | | | | "In summary..." |
| | | | |
| It is okay to pause. Pause to gather your | | | | "In conclusion..." |
| thoughts. When you pause you look and sound | | | | |
| poised and in control. Remember, there is | | | | Then simply stop. Remember SAS. |
| power in silence. | | | | |
| | | | Apply these techniques so that you can become |
| 3. Repeat the Question | | | | a master at "thinking on your feet" and give |
| | | | great answers. You can practice these skills |
| This has several benefits: | | | | by joining Toastmasters. In their meetings |
| | | | they have an exercise called "table topics," |
| * Buys you time to think. | | | | in which you can practice this skill in a |
| | | | supportive environment. |
| * Communicates a complete piece of | | | | |