Even the best-prepared executives get put on the spot: a board member asks for your perspective, the CEO calls on you mid-meeting, or a peer wants your quick take in the hallway. In these moments, you don’t have slides, notes, or time to rehearse. What you do have is your presence — and a few simple frameworks that help you think and speak clearly in real time.
Strong leaders know impromptu communication is not about perfection. It’s about composure, clarity, and confidence under pressure.
Frameworks for Impromptu Speaking
1. PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point)
Point: State your headline clearly.
Reason: Explain why it matters.
Example: Share a short story or data point.
Point: Restate your headline.
Example: “Retention is our biggest risk right now. That matters because customer churn drives revenue loss. For instance, our Q2 churn rose by 4%. That’s why we need to double down on customer success.”
2. Pros → Cons → Recommendation. Great for answering tough questions on decisions. Lay out both sides, then share your judgment.
Example: “The upside of Option A is speed; the downside is higher cost. The upside of Option B is savings; the downside is slower execution. Given our growth priorities, I recommend Option A.”
3. Past → Present → Future. Ideal when asked about progress, strategy, or timing.
Example: “In the past quarter, we stabilized operations. Right now, we’re focusing on scaling efficiency. Going forward, our priority is automating to reduce costs.”
Techniques to Show Composure
Pause Before Responding. Silence feels long to you, but it signals confidence to others.
Keep It Short. Two minutes is usually enough; avoid rambling or drifting to other topics.
Signal Structure Out Loud. Phrases like “There are two options” or “Let me share three quick points” help the audience track with you.
End with a Clear Takeaway. Don’t trail off — close with your key message.
Example in Action
In a recent executive offsite, a leader I worked with was unexpectedly asked for her perspective on a new product rollout. She paused, smiled, and said, “I’ll share this in three parts — past, present, and future.” In under two minutes, she outlined what the team had learned from past launches, where they stood today, and what she saw as the next priority. The room leaned in — not because her points were revolutionary, but because her delivery was crisp, confident, and structured.
Impromptu readiness is not about having all the answers — it’s about having enough structure to deliver clarity under pressure. With frameworks like PREP, Pros–Cons–Recommendation, and Past–Present–Future, you can turn surprise questions into opportunities to show composure, credibility, and executive presence.
Reflection Question: When you’re put on the spot, do you default to rambling - or can you rely on a structure that helps you shine? Comment and share below; we’d love to hear from you!
Quote of the Day: “In the moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing.” – Theodore Roosevelt
The next blog in this series 8/9 will focus on effective disagreements at the exec. level.
As a leadership development and executive coach, I work with leaders to sharpen their executive communication skills. Contact me to explore this topic further.
How do you think on your feet?