How to Stay Cool When You’re Put on the Spot

People can make you feel defensive at work. It is difficult to predict when they will occur and how they will play out. The framework presented by the author gives you an opportunity to respond thoughtfully and confidently. The first thing to do is to focus on the shock. Question your assumptions second time around. Depersonalize the interaction and pay attention to what's happening in the way. Close the interaction with confidence

It is said that the best defense is a good offense. In business, it applies as well. There are a lot of high-stakes moments in which people catch you off guard and make you feel defensive. A difficult client will interrupt your pitch with a volley of unreasonable questions, a board member will question your investment case to the nth degree, or the boss will dismiss your work out of hand.