HELP, My Brain Just Quit Working !

HELP, My Brain Just Quit Working ! Ideas to Help You Answer
Impromptu Questions

You've been there before. You're sitting in a meeting, discussing a problem. The team leader suggests an approach to the problem, and you know it won't work, and you know why. Problem is, when you open up your mouth to try to explain your reasoning, the words come out all wrong, and you're left feeling a little foolish. Meanwhile, the rest of the team decides to go ahead with the leader's suggestion. How could you have handled things differently?

The situation just described called for "impromptu speaking". Impromptu speaking is the art of giving a convincing and well-organized speech on the spur of the moment. Life is full of situations in which we must speak without having much time (or sometimes ANY time) to prepare.

P.I.E. Model

There's a Problem. What is it? Why is it a problem?

You have an Idea of how to solve the problem. Describe the idea. Why would it help?

Give an Example of the problem and of how your idea would help.

P.R.E.P. Model

State your main Point.

Make your Recommendation. How would you handle the problem your point is about?

Give an Example to illustrate how your recommendation would help.

Make your Point again.

Past President of Tuesday Toasters, Wendy Lick's Model

Restate the question in different or same words.

Give background about the problem or situation. Don't commit to a suggestion just yet. Give yourself time to think.

When your idea finally comes, state it.

If you still have time and the listeners' attention, give an example if appropriate.

Wrap it back around to the question, "So, my friends, THAT is why............"

Evasion Tactics, For When You REALLY Don't Have an Answer
Stall:

take a longer than usual thoughtful pause

talk about piddly stuff until you've gathered your thoughts

agree with previous comments from others by restating their points just a little bit differently

thank the person asking the question for giving you the opportunity to present your ideas and why you feel qualified to answer the question (this could fill as much time as you need, or until they forget the question).
Redirect by changing the question. An example would be, "I think the real question is not..................., but..................................instead."
Last but not least, you can always defer to a higher authority. Someone with more experience, knowledge, or skill set. Perhaps even allowing the question to be tabled until further investigation or analysis is performed.
R E L A X
Whatever you do. Just don't panic. Listen closely to the question, repeat for clarification, and answer to the best of your ability. You'll feel better once you have stated your input as best you possibly can with the method best suited for your purpose.

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