What to do when you’re on the spot. Regardless of the situation, things are guaranteed to happen and not always according to plan. Irrespective of the presentation venue, four actions can help you convert an interruption into an opportunity. Number one: always expect the unexpected. Number two: at the beginning of the program, work the audience to pre-frame them to create a mindset. Through light remarks, humor, or other responses based on your read of the group leads them to make more commitments to be playful, curious, flexible, and energized. Number three: create several positive anchors that you can use later. An anchor is something unique that you do or say that automatically puts the audience in a resourceful or emotional state. Examples include a unique smile, specific place where you stand, the word yes in a strong voice. Number four: if something unexpected happens, first smile, and then quickly ask yourself, “How can I turn this event into an opportunity to create humor or illustrate a point?”
