Ever found yourself asked for a quick update at the coffee machine, or pulled into an impromptu meeting and then walked away from the encounter wishing you’d said things differently?
Where most influencing happens: informal conversations
Research by McLuhan & Davies Communications shows that 95% of workplace communication is actually informal, in ad hoc, unscripted and impromptu conversations. It’s precisely in these moments – when you have no slides, no script, and no time to prepare – that your ability to present ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively can make or break your credibility and influence.
Rethink your training investment
Many companies focus their training budget on formal, stand-up presentation skills training. Yet when we ask where their people do you most of their influencing, we often hear, “It’s going to lunch with a client”, “having a coffee after a meeting” or “during Q&A after a sales pitch”.
So, if your company is just spending your training budget on formal presentation skills, but in fact, all your influencing is being done in ad hoc and unprepared situations, there is a disconnect and it may be time to start focusing on that informal side of your communications.
Clarity, Brevity, Impact: Your Toolkit for Unscripted Success
Clarity, brevity & impact aren’t just for the boardroom. They are also valuable tools in such high-stakes, unplanned situations:
- Clarity ensures your message is understood the first time, reducing misunderstandings and enabling faster, better decision-making.
- Brevity respects your audience’s time and attention-crucial when you’re speaking to busy executives or colleagues with competing priorities.
- Impact means your ideas are remembered, making it more likely your recommendations will be acted upon, even after the conversation ends.
These moments are where reputations are built, decisions are shaped, and opportunities are won-or lost.
Impromptu Communication Is a Learnable Skill
Fortunately, the ability to communicate powerfully in these moments isn’t an innate gift – it’s a learnable skill. Think On Your Feet® is designed specifically to help handle the unexpected. The training provides the techniques to structure for your message with simple formats, so you can organize your thoughts quickly-even under pressure.
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Mastering impromptu communication builds confidence credibility and trust. And perhaps most importantly, you stop walking away from those “corridor conversations” wishing you’d said something different – instead, you leave knowing you delivered the right message, clearly and concisely.
