We’ve all been there. You’re in a meeting, and suddenly your colleague turns to you and says, “I don’t know, it’s a difficult one… John, what are your thoughts on this?”

You panic, freeze and realise that your palms have started sweating. Your brain seems to have stopped functioning, and after what seems like an eternity, all you can manage to get out is “um, well….yes, actually…. I… er… I agree with Lucy on that.”

But you don’t agree with Lucy at all. You just couldn’t get your thoughts into words quickly enough to articulate what you really wanted to say.

Why mastering the art of impromptu speaking matters

Speaking off the cuff is a real struggle for many of my clients. When they’re put on the spot at a meeting or presentation, their mind becomes mush. It’s not that they have nothing to say. Rather, they can’t structure all those ideas swirling around their head to come out of their mouths in a clear, concise, coherent way.

Sometimes it can seem easier just to say nothing than risk feeling silly or ill-prepared if you can’t get your point across coherently.

Please, please don’t choose to stay silent! Your voice matters, and if you skip your chance to speak up, you’re missing out on opportunities to show just what you can do and how valuable your contribution can be.

But don’t worry - there’s a simple method you can use to improve your impromptu speaking skills, so you always feel ready to confidently get your point across when you’re asked to speak off the cuff.

It’s an easy framework to remember - just think of the three Ps:

1. Pause
2. Prepare
3. Pay Attention

Let’s look a little more deeply into how you can use those 3 Ps to set yourself up for success in an impromptu speaking situation:

Tip # 1 - Pause for a moment

Never underestimate the power of a pause. When you’re asked a question, whether that’s in an interview situation or at a meeting, you don't need to launch straight into an answer. Instead, stop and take a moment first. Our brains tend to work very quickly when they start formulating ideas, and those few seconds are essential to process our thoughts and put some structure on how we want to respond.

Try This: Keep a standard phrase in your back pocket for when you’re asked for your opinion in a meeting, but need a little time to organise your thoughts before you respond. Try something like:

“I don't have anything to add at the moment, but I'll get back to you by the end of the meeting.”

Aside from buying you a little extra time, this also shows your colleagues that you’re thoughtful and want to make sure your contribution is valuable before you answer.

For more advice on speaking up in meetings, have a look at this blog post on the subject.

Tip # 2 - Prepare in Advance

Before a meeting, take some time and space to prepare. Get a copy of the meeting agenda, so you can review it beforehand. This is your chance to think through the items up for discussion and ask yourself a few questions:

• What are my thoughts on this topic?

• Do I have any questions about it? 

• Has this been discussed at a previous meeting?

• Do I have anything further to add on the subject?

These questions will help you get into the right frame of mind, so you’re focused on what will be covered and ready to share your thoughts if you’re asked to speak up on the spot.

Tip # 3 - Pay Full Attention 

When our mind wanders, it can be tough to pull it back on track and maintain our train of thought. And if (as it usually is!) that’s the moment you’re asked for your opinion, and you have no idea what your colleagues are currently talking about, there’s a good chance you’ll struggle and bumble over your words and miss the opportunity to make your point.

It can be even more challenging to maintain your concentration in virtual meetings, where you may have your camera off at times, making it all too tempting to multitask by answering a couple of emails or checking your LinkedIn messages. Don’t do it!

During the meeting, pay full attention and listen carefully to everything that’s being said. That means your phone is on silent, laptop notifications are switched off and you’re not making a mental shopping list for next week. Your complete focus needs to be on the discussion at hand, so you’re fully engaged and ready if the opportunity arises for you to speak.

Bonus Tip - Have your Story Collection Ready 

Having a collection of stories at the ready will help you feel less nervous about impromptu speaking because there’s a good chance you’ll be able to pull a relevant story from your collection that fits the context.

You can make this part of your planning and preparation for any situation where you might be called to speak on the spot. Spend a few moments thinking about a story you could share to further illustrate the points you want to make and how you might tweak it to suit the topic.

Using storytelling in your communications adds structure, colour and makes your message more likely to stick. If you’d like to know more about how to use story effectively for your pitches, presentation and speaking opportunities, here is a resources to help you:

The 3 R’s of Storytelling - Use Them Wisely for a Powerful Presentation

Grab every opportunity to practise your impromptu speaking skills

Following the “3 Ps” framework above will help you be fully prepared, present, calm and composed the next time you’re asked to speak unexpectedly.

But before I close, I should mention the secret fourth “P” - Practice! If you regularly push yourself out of your comfort zone and take every opportunity you can to speak on the spot, the anxiety will gradually lessen, and you’ll become more confident each time you have the chance to speak off the cuff.

Need some additional support?

My 6-week group programme called “Communicate with Confidence,” is designed to help you speak up confidently at meetings, communicate your message effectively and actually enjoy presenting your ideas. If you’d like more information or to join the waiting list for the next cohort, check out all the details here.