A book review for Anne Cooper’s Off the Cuff was recently posted on RichGrad.com. Sometimes we don’t have time to think and we’re pressured to immediately give an answer.

Personally, I do my level best to buy time. For the short term (several seconds to a few minutes), I ask clarifying questions. Any question, even one I know the answer to! In fact, sometimes they’re the best since I fully know the answer and don’t have to listen so I can formulate in my mind what I should say.

Another trick to buy precious short-term time is to say something like, “This is similar to another situation, where…” and you start talking in auto-pilot mode. Half-minded to keep up the conversation, and the other half to formulate the answer to the original question.

Being able to think on one’s feet is very important in the real world. This looks like an interesting read to keep this important skill sharp.