Have you ever been in a meeting and someone asked a question that completely threw you off? No matter how well-prepared you are, surprises happen. The key is knowing how to respond with confidence in the moment.
Here are three simple strategies you can use right away:
- Pause.
Give yourself a second to gather your thoughts before answering. Even half a second can make a big difference. Use that moment to take a breath—something we often forget when nerves take over. - Reframe with two questions.
When something unexpected comes up, ask yourself: “What’s needed here?” and “What’s required of me?” Shifting the focus to your audience helps take the pressure off you and makes your response more thoughtful. - Create a mantra.
If you tend to react too quickly and regret how you came across, develop a simple phrase such as “stop, pause, breathe.” One of my clients, an executive director of a nonprofit, used this technique to stop herself from jumping in too fast. It gave her the space to respond more intentionally.
The more you practice pausing, reframing, and grounding yourself with a mantra, the more natural it becomes. Which of these strategies will you try in your next meeting?
