How do you handle ‘off-script’ situations?

Do you remember your childhood days and some tough exams that you had to endure?! That nervous pause, when your father asked the dreaded question ‘So, how did you write the paper’? And your straight-faced reply, “I was well prepared but most questions were out of syllabus’’!

Guess what, life has not changed much! How many times have you gone prepared for a key meeting expecting the proceedings to take a certain course? Only to face sudden curve balls thrown at you. A probing question that threw you off guard completely and forced you to think on your feet.

I recall presenting an office revival plan at a board meeting. The largest account in the office had moved out, putting a question mark on the feasibility of running the office. I had gone prepared with the financials, the new business plan and some cost cutting measures, anticipating it to be a tough conversation. The Regional Head sat through the presentation patiently, nodding his head reassuringly at times. As I relaxed a bit and closed my deck, he looked straight into my eyes and asked ‘What would you do, if this was your own business’? It was a sucker punch to say the least!

My mind was in a tizzy - Would I fight so hard to save my own business or would I mitigate my losses and wind things up? Would I approach things differently if it was own skin in the game as a business owner? Suffice to say there was an intense discussion that followed.

Executive presence goes hand in hand with decisive leadership communication. The optics matter as a leader needs to be seen as affirmative and unambiguous in the moment. This puts pressure on them, especially in high stakes meetings.

Much as leaders desire to exercise control over the outcome of a meeting, there are always unexpected surprises that spring up. This is when agility and adaptability are required to get a firm grip over matters.

Here are three ways to handle ‘off -script’ situations:

1.?Be calm and present – Keep your poise and not let the unexpected rattle you. Taking a pause and then addressing the situation allows the mind to think with clarity.

2. Trust yourself – You have put in the effort and know the subject. Release any personal judgments and back yourself with conviction.

3.?Show vulnerability – Be comfortable with ‘not knowing’. Play with humor. You can also ask for time to come back with a measured response.

Remember off-script is like going off the beaten path. You always learn something new!

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