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Member Benefit

What to Do When You’re Put on the Spot

Published Fri Dec 23 2022

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We’ve all been there—that awkward moment when you’re asked a question that you’re not prepared to answer. Maybe it’s a challenge in front of others. Maybe it’s an unhappy client. Maybe it addresses something you’re unfamiliar with but feel the need to answer. Difficult conversations are part of our professional lives, but being put on the spot is particularly hard. To avoid this discomfort, prepare in advance. Before meetings, identify difficult questions that might come up and think through how you might respond. While these questions are unpredictable by their very nature, the more you prepare, the less anxiety you’ll feel in the moment. If you’re caught off guard, take a minute before responding. You don’t need to immediately start talking. Pause, breathe, and think through what you’ll say. Express this verbally, if necessary. No one will be offended if you say, “Let me take a moment to consider what you’ve just asked.” Words matter, especially in tense situations like this. Be empathetic to the asker, and respond honestly. If you don’t know the answer, don’t make something up. Tell them you don’t have all the information you need right now but will work to find them an answer. Acknowledging uncertainty will go a long way in establishing and maintaining trust.

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