How To Speak On The Spot

The question comes from the back of the room or from the other side of a boardroom table and suddenly someone asks you a question and all the eyes are on you to answer. Your mind goes blank. You can hear yourself trying to dig out an answer. What usually follows is a scramble of half-formed sentences, a wall of waffle that nobody asked for or a very short flat answer, ‘yes’ that leaves the conversation dead. Answering on the spot is a skill that requires you to be present, to listen carefully to the question and whilst the sentence is processing in your mind, to formulate an answer at the same time before replying, a few seconds after the question has been asked.

Why the Blank Moment Happens

Pressure gets to everyone and sometimes the pressure is too much where we forget to breathe. When a question arrives unexpectedly, the brain treats it as a test and we try to create this perfect answer and because we do this, we forget that the audience is in the room. We are focusing on ourselves instead of them. That’s why the pause feels like lifetime, but to everyone else it only lasts a second or two.

The Speaker Is In Control

When you are asked a question, it can feel as though you need to respond immediately. But you are in control of how you respond. You can pause to gather your thoughts, ask for clarification or take a moment to organise your answer before speaking. You do not have to fill every silence or rush to give an answer just because someone is waiting. Learning to speak on the spot is about developing the skills to think clearly, structure your ideas and express yourself confidently, even when you have not had time to prepare. You stop being someone who rush to answer the questions and you start being someone with a view worth hearing.

Buy Yourself a Second by Asking for Clarity

When you are asked a question and you are not quite sure what the person means, do not feel you have to guess the answer. Instead, ask them to explain a little more. This gives you a clearer idea of what they want to know and a few extra seconds to gather your thoughts before responding. It also shows that you want to understand the question properly rather than rush into an answer.

If you are unsure what someone wants you to comment on, it is perfectly fine to say so. You are taking the time to understand what is being asked of you. You can do this in a meeting, during an interview or when speaking in front of a group.

What to Do When You Genuinely Do Not Know

You do not need to know everything. What matters is how you handle the situation when you are unsure. Be honest and say that you do not know, share what you do know if it is relevant and explain how you would find out. It is much better to be honest than to make something up just to avoid an awkward moment. People are more likely to trust you when you are open about what you know and what you do not.

Sometimes, you might also need to explain that a question is outside your area of responsibility or that you cannot share certain information. You could say that another team would be better placed to answer instead, that the information is confidential or that you need to check the figures before giving an accurate answer. You do not need to apologise for this. Being clear about what you can and cannot answer is part of communicating confidently.

Turning the Question Back to the Room

You do not need to always answer all the questions, it would be nice, but it’s even better to open the question back into the room and invite other people to share their thoughts. For example, you could say, “Has anyone else experienced this?” or “How would you approach this situation?” This gives other people the opportunity to contribute and gives you a moment to gather your thoughts.

Asking the audience a question can be a useful way to get people involved, especially when they’ve been quiet. It helps create a conversation rather than making you feel as though you have to do all the talking.

Practising Under Gentle Pressure

Improvisation is a skill you can develop with practice. Start somewhere you feel comfortable, whether that is in a coaching session, a workshop with colleagues or simply practising on your own. For example, try answering one question each day with full sentences and explain the reasons behind your answer.

At Speaking Voices, I offer personalised coaching in public speaking. Based in Canary Wharf, London, I tailor each session to your individual needs so you can improve your improptu speaking, so you can speak confidently in different situations. The aim is to feel more comfortable thinking on the spot, organising your thoughts and expressing your ideas clearly. You can learn more about this in my Speak With Confidence coaching programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it rude to ask someone to repeat or clarify a question?

No. Asking for clarity shows you want to answer properly rather than guess. The only caution to look out for is continous repetition. You don’t want to clarify more than once.

Can I answer a question with a question?

Yes if it’s not a reocurring thing. Handing a question back to the audience works when you genuinely want their view, you make everyone think more critically and it gives everyone multiple perspectives.

How do I avoid saying too much when I am nervous?

Answer the question that was asked, then stop. When you feel the urge to fill silence and take a breath.