Responding to being caught off guard, insulted, or attacked

- Imagine you're speaking in a meeting.…Someone interrupts, and stumps you, shocks you,…or surprises you in a negative way.…It could be a tough question you're unprepared for.…Or maybe it's an aggressive accusation…and your mind goes blank.…We've all been there.…When you're caught off-guard, you can lose…credibility in a flash by freezing up,…fidgeting, fumbling for words, or otherwise…looking like there's any place in the world…you'd rather be right then.…So what should you do?…Here's an approach I use with clients you can adapt.…I call it Down Up Point.…

In that moment of being caught off-guard,…you don't want to look stunned with a blank stare…or bugged-out eyes like you've seen a ghost!…And you also don't want to look up…or to the side because it can make you look lost or shifty.…So as the comment comes in, take it in,…and drive it down before shock and surprise registers.…Look down toward the table if you're sitting,…or down toward the floor if you're standing.…Deflect that energy down and in front of you,…