Think Fast! Speak Smart in Meetings: Impromptu Communication Tips

Thinking Faster and Smarter on the Spot

Have you ever left a meeting feeling like you underperformed because you couldn't think or speak as quickly as you wanted? Perhaps you were caught off guard and couldn't formulate an intelligent answer. This article will explore strategies to enhance your ability to think faster and smarter in impromptu situations, ultimately improving your communication skills. This is particularly useful for emerging leaders aiming to improve their performance in meetings.

Tip 1: Stop Worrying About What Other People Think

A major obstacle to quick and intelligent thinking is worrying about others' perceptions. Are they judging your intelligence? Are they following your points or are they bored? This self-doubt creates a communication block.

• It triggers the fight-or-flight response, diverting resources away from your brain.

• The brain perceives self-doubt as a threat, even if it's not real.

To counter this, consciously try to release the need for external validation. Don't worry about whether others agree with you or perceive you as intelligent. Later, techniques will be shared on how to keep people engaged in what you're saying. Overcoming this fear is crucial for thinking and speaking faster in the moment.

Tip 2: Get Straight to the Point

Avoid rambling before revealing your main point. This can confuse and bore your audience. People often do this because they are unsure of their point.

• Confuses the audience.

• Causes the audience to lose interest.

Identify your core message before speaking. Then, directly and concisely present it. This approach minimizes confusion and maintains engagement.

Handling Being Put on the Spot

What should you do when asked a difficult question unexpectedly? Here's a strategy to appear confident:

1. Pause: Take a breath to collect your thoughts.
2. Acknowledge and Repeat: Respond with, "That's a good question, [Name]. So, you're asking about…," and then repeat the question.
3. Share Raw Thoughts: Give an honest opinion. Don't hold back due to fear of judgment.

Remember, your ideas are valuable. People, especially those in leadership, need to know what you think. The above technique will give you time to formulate an intelligent answer.

Tip 3: Use Intriguing Connectors

After stating your main point, use connectors to elaborate and maintain audience engagement.

• Good speakers use them in all kinds of communication.

• Connectors link the hook to the explanation, keeping listeners interested.

Here are some examples of connectors:

• "Here's why..."

• "I'll tell you what that would look like..."

• "There are three reasons why I believe that..."

Examples:

• "I think it's a fantastic idea that Sally is proposing, and here's why..."

• "I think that Sally's suggestion has potential but can be improved on. I'll tell you what my additional suggestions would be..."

• "My opinion is that Sally's suggestion won't work, and there are a number of reasons why I believe that..."

Using these connectors can significantly improve engagement during your conversations.

Tip 4: Highlight the Number of Points

Stating the number of points you'll cover can improve clarity and keep your audience engaged.

• Clarifies your thoughts.

• Gives your audience an idea of what to expect.

However, avoid using too many points, because people may switch off. Aim for two or three points to keep the points manageable. More points can lead to stress and trigger the fight-or-flight response.

Examples:

• "I think it's a fantastic idea that Sally is proposing, and here's why. There are three main reasons. First..."

• "I think that Sally's suggestion has potential but can be improved on. I'll tell you what my additional suggestions would be. There are two main ones. The first one is..."

• "My opinion is that Sally's suggestion won't work, and there are three reasons why I believe that. First..."

By implementing these four tips, you can significantly improve your ability to think faster and speak smarter in impromptu situations, making you a more effective communicator and leader.