Many of us dread our boss or colleagues putting us on the spot at work.
Unfortunately, this is surprisingly common in the workplace. I’m sure many of us have been suddenly called to contribute during a meeting or were asked a difficult question after a presentation at least once.
One skill that can help you overcome these situations is the ability to think on your feet.
This helps improve your communication skills and self-confidence, reduces stress, and enables you to be persuasive even under pressure.
Here are some tips that can help you better think on your feet in your online job:
Always Come Prepared
As they say: “Expect the unexpected.”
Before the meeting or presentation, make sure you understand the topic fully so you can answer correctly and confidently.
To help you anticipate the questions, find out more about your audience and what information they’re looking for.
Take a Beat Before Answering
It’s not easy to think and respond clearly under pressure. However, panicking can only make things worse.
Thus, the first step to better think on your feet in your online job is to always remain calm.
Take a deep breath and silently give yourself a positive affirmation before responding. Take a few seconds to gather your thoughts so you can better convey your message.
Doing so helps you formulate a more coherent reply than rushing to answer the question.
Listen Attentively
A common reason why we struggle to give answers to sudden questions is because we aren’t listening properly.
Oh, I’m not just talking about hearing what others are saying, but also understanding their meaning and intention. This is called active listening.
This includes turning your webcam on and facing the person talking so you can observe their body language and read between the lines.
Actively listening enables you to better grasp the situation, helping you make better decisions on the fly.
Ask Them to Repeat the Question, if Needed
Need more time to gather your thoughts? You can ask for them to repeat their question.
This gives you a few more seconds to think and also helps you better understand the question. After all, the person asking you might also have thought of the question on the spot.
Asking them again enables them to better articulate their question so you and the others can better understand it.
Let Go of Your Perfectionist Mindset
Many employees feel anxious about being put on the spot because they’re afraid they won’t be able to give a perfect response.
No one wants to look bad in front of others.
However, the key to successfully thinking on your feet in your online job is providing an appropriate response to the situation, not necessarily a perfect one.
Letting go of your perfectionism helps you feel less stressed and thus respond more confidently in these situations.
Stick to One Point
A common mistake many employees make when talking under pressure is speaking too little or too much.
Speaking too little gives the questioner control of the conversation and opens the door to further questions. However, speaking too much may cause your audience to lose interest in what you’re saying.
To avoid this, focus on one particular point and provide a concise answer based on such.
Project Confidence
To be confident, you have to look and sound confident.
When answering a question on the spot, ensure you speak clearly and confidently. Maintain eye contact with your audience, observe their reactions, and adjust your tone and voice accordingly.
Also, avoid jargon when speaking, especially when talking to foreign clients. In addition, refrain from using conversation fillers like “umms,” “ahhhs,” “like,” and “so…”
Improvise, Adapt, Overcome
Contrary to popular belief, making decisions on the fly isn’t a skill exclusive to select individuals.
With enough practice and following the tips mentioned above, anyone can become skilled at thinking on their feet at their online jobs.
Ready to apply your newfound ability to adapt on the fly in an online job, but still looking for one?
Don’t worry. Remote Staff is here to help.
Our jobs list contains plenty of available positions for you to choose from.
However, if you don’t find the job you’re looking for, don’t worry. We update our list daily – so you can check again tomorrow and see if you find something more suitable.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up here today. Good luck!
