Photo by: bydvvid via Canva
Regardless of your role in the classroom or where the workshop is taking place, there is one necessary skill that all learning and development professionals must have—being able to think on your feet!
Whether you’re standing in front of a group, sitting behind a desk, or even producing a workshop behind the scenes, you will be called upon to make game-time decisions at any given moment. These instances provide an opportunity to grow and show off your problem-solving skills, but they can also be nerve-wracking. By following some of these tips, you’ll be able to think quickly and come up with solutions in no time.
“Can you repeat that, please?”
When you come across a question from a participant or even from a co-facilitator that catches you off guard, it’s easy to fall into a panic. What’s the first step in thinking on your feet when you don’t immediately have an answer? Ask to hear the question again! This will provide you with two things: clarification and time.
Often, when someone is asked to repeat a question, they’ll assume their wording might have confused the person asked. When they repeat the question for you, it’s likely they’ll rephrase it in a way that may help you formulate an answer. Even if they repeat the question the same way and you don’t find that it clarifies the request, this moment of repetition will give you extra time to consider your next move.
Pause and Breathe
Perhaps this challenging moment has come from an unexpected question, or an issue in the classroom (e.g. technical, logistical—anything can happen!). When faced with an unplanned moment that requires you to react or pivot, the best thing to do is… nothing! At least, for a moment or two.
Rushing to respond can often make it more obvious that you don’t have a solution at the ready. Additionally, if the issue is tech-related (a common occurrence for those producing workshops virtually!), it might resolve itself in the time you would spend troubleshooting ideas on the fly. Give yourself a moment to pause, consider the situation, take a deep breath, and then move into solution mode.
Phone a Friend!
If you’re stuck in a situation where you’ve taken a moment to consider a solution and you’re coming up empty, never be afraid to ask for help or defer the answer. If you don’t have an answer to a question, don’t fib! Be honest and offer to write the question down to return to later when you have checked the materials or asked a coworker. If you have the privilege of co-facilitating, check in with your partner and see if they have a solution to the issue. You can also turn the question back to the group and see if anyone has ideas!
Remember, these tips can be helpful whether you’re face to face with your learners, or off camera behind a desk! When you take a moment to really consider a question or situation, pause to reflect, and turn to others to find a solution, you’ll project confidence and humility to your group and leave a lasting impression.
What tips do you have for thinking on your feet in the classroom?
Whether you need tips for answering questions, troubleshooting issues, or finetuning your delivery skills, these workshops have you covered: Instructional Techniques for New Instructors, The Virtual Trainer, and The Virtual Classroom Producer.
