How to Think on Your Feet

Description

First published in the USA by Warner Books, Inc., NYC. [rear cover blurb:] " • Have you ever been caught off guard in a meeting? • Stumped by a question during a sales call? • Suffered an embarrassing silence during an interview? • Thought of the perfect response—after the conversation? You are responsible for one half of every conversation you have.., in business, in community affairs, at home... and you must be able to respond appropriately and confidently in order to succeed. This book will teach you how to think—and speak—on your feet. The author, a top lecturer and seminar leader in business communications for 24 years, shares her experience with you and shows you how to: • answer questions impressively—even if you don’t know the answer. • buy time so that you can think before you speak. • retain composure when facing difficult questions. • polish your delivery skills. Everybody needs to be able to communicate well. Using proven theory, on-target strategies, and practical examples, Marian K. Woodall will help you improve your end of the conversation, so that you’ll: NEVER SAY “THAT’S WHAT I *SHOULD* HAVE SAID” AGAIN!" How to Think on Your Feet - Front Cover Half-title Blurb Title Page Printer's Imprint Acknowledgments Contents Preface 1. What Does It Mean to Think on Your Feet and Why Is It Important? Goals of Thinking on Your Feet An Easy Skill to Master How Do You Learn This Communication Skill? Why Is It Important to Think on Your Feet? 2. Do You Need to Think on Your Feet? 3. About Questions Yes-No Question Patterns Problems with Yes-No Patterns Communication Involves a Contract Closed Information Questions Open Information Questions Open-Ended Questions 4. About Answers... And Responses—Why a Response Is Usually Better Than an Answer How Much Information Should Be Given? What If You *Want* to Give More Information? The Basic Communications Exchange Do You Have to Answer the Question at All? 5. Responding to Easy Questions—The Kind You Can and Want to Answer How Can You Be Successful? Listen—Pay Attention to What’s Been Said Pause to Organize Repeat the Question Give the One Main Support *Stop*—Don’t End on an Excuse 6. Responding to Difficult Questions Again, Give a Response, Not an Answer Buy Time to Think Buy Time with a Pause Buy Time with a Nonverbal Gesture 7. Get a Better Question to Answer How Can You Get a Better Question? Ask to Have the Question Repeated Ask a Question of Your Own Ask for Clarification Ask for a Definition Clarify or Define a Point Yourself 8. Hedging, But Still in Control Tactics for Hedging Professionally Respond to One Aspect of the Question Refocus the Question “Discuss” the Question Building a Bridge Between the Inappropriate Question and the Appropriate Response 9. Responding with Positive Words to Negative Questions Who Asks These Kinds of Questions 10. Getting Someone Else to Answer the Question Let Them Speak—or Not? Not an In-House Situation? Redirect the Question The Absolutely Positively Rules 11. Delivery—The Real Secret to Success Tips on Delivery Eye Contact Counts Responses That Require Superb Delivery “I Don’t Know, But...” The Direct Approach to a Tough Question How Long Should You Respond to Open-Ended Questions? 12. Opportunities to Buy Time When Responding Over the Telephone 13. Beyond Questions: Other Opportunities to Think on Your Feet Representing Yourself with Poise Saying a Few Words Funny One-Liners Rear Cover