Speaking on the Spot

The night before delivering the opening keynote at a national conference, one of my clients—a highly accomplished leader—was blindsided. The event organizer called with an urgent update: The hosting organization’s CEO wanted her to speak on an entirely different topic than the one she had spent weeks preparing for.

This wasn’t a minor tweak. It was completely different, and the keynote was first thing in the morning. There was no time for a rework. No time to practice. She called me in full-on panic mode.

“What am I supposed to do, just wing it?” she said.

“Nope, you’re not winging it; this is just an impromptu speech now!” I said.

The next morning, she stepped onto the stage and delivered a completely new keynote with confidence and the clarity of someone more prepared than she actually was.

How did she do it? We used my Idea-Emotion-Outcome framework, giving her a quick way to prepare for an on-the-spot situation. This was simple but powerful and allowed her to organize her thoughts quickly and connect with her audience in a meaningful way. This is exactly what it means to speak smart when you’re put on the spot.

You’re Already Speaking Spontaneously

Being put on the spot is something that happens at varying levels every single day. You give impromptu speeches all the time—when someone asks how your weekend was, why you love your favorite show, or why you choose to order your pizza with pineapple as a topping. In so many situations, you think on your feet and respond.

What you’re doing is shaping ideas in the moment, adding some personality, and sharing them in a way that connects.

The only difference between those moments and stepping on a stage? The stakes feel higher. But the skill is the same. Impromptu speaking is never about being perfect in the moment—it’s about making the most of the moment.

The Idea-Emotion-Outcome Framework

When you’re put on the spot to speak, your brain can go into overdrive, trying to come up with the “perfect” thing to say. This often leads to one of two common issues: either freezing up because you’re looking for the right words or rambling because you’re throwing out every thought that pops into your head.

This is where the Idea-Emotion-Outcome framework can help. It provides a clear, simple structure to organize your thoughts quickly and deliver a message that resonates, whether that’s for a response about why pineapple is a good pizza topping or you have to give an unexpected keynote.

Here’s how it works:

1. Find the idea. Starting with the idea is the foundation of this framework and of what you’re going to say. It’s the one thing you want people to walk away and remember. Sticking to one idea keeps your mind and words focused. It prevents you from going all over the place with your thoughts.
   For example, at a wedding, the idea might be, “Love is found in the little moments.” In a business meeting, it could be, “Focus on why before we focus on when.”
   If you’re clear on your idea, it gives your audience a clear path to follow—and it keeps you grounded as you speak.
   
   
2. Add the emotion. Once you have your idea, you need to give your audience a reason to care about it. This is where emotion comes in. Emotion creates connection. It helps people feel why your idea matters to them.
   You can do this by sharing a quick, personal story that relates to your idea and your audience; bringing them into a specific moment; and tapping into universal feelings like love, joy, hope, or even vulnerability. For instance, at a wedding, you could share a short story about a sweet moment between the couple that illustrates the idea of love in small moments. In a meeting, you might give an example of how the strategy of finding out people’s why will help you figure out what you should do and when.
   The best stories, speeches, songs, poems, and movies get us to feel something. That wasn’t done by accident. It was done on purpose. Intentionally inject the emotion you want us to feel.
   
   
3. End with the outcome. The outcome is everything. This is where your idea has an action. What do you want your audience to think, feel, or do after you’ve spoken? The outcome ties everything together and gives your audience direction.
   For example, at a wedding, the outcome could be a toast celebrating the couple’s future. In a meeting, it might be a call to action like, “Let’s share our whys and make this happen!”
   The outcome leaves people with clarity about your message and a sense of purpose or inspiration.

By following this framework, you avoid the pitfalls of freezing or rambling because you always know:

• What you want to say (idea)
• Why it matters (emotion)
• How to wrap it up (outcome)

It’s simple, clear, and effective—and it ensures that even if you’re caught off guard, you can deliver a message that makes an impact.

When the Framework Works, It Works Well

I worked with another client, Kathryn Madison, CEO of Dye Candy. She had to sit on a panel at a big New York conference. The organizers gave her questions to prepare for. We went through them using the Idea-Emotion-Outcome framework. She nailed her ideas, added personal stories, and practiced closing strong. Then I threw her curveballs: random questions to see how she handled surprises. Good thing we did. At the event, the moderator went off-script, and most of the questions were unplanned.

Afterward, she told me, “That framework saved my butt! I felt ready for any question she asked.”

That’s the power of having a plan you can trust even when you don’t have all the answers.

Kathryn Madison, CEO of Dye Candy, speaks on a panel at a New York conference.

Read the Room

When you’re using this framework for impromptu situations, keep in mind that not every moment calls for the same tone. Before you speak, take a second to check the vibe:

• Is it a casual or formal event?
• Who’s listening?
• What does the moment need? Humor? Inspiration? Comfort?

At a wedding, humor works. In a business meeting, stick to clarity and professionalism but with some wittiness and energy. At a memorial, it’s about respect and reflection.

When in doubt, stay sincere. People appreciate honesty over polish.

How to Pull It Together Fast

Finally, if you find yourself in a spot where you’re put on the spot, here’s a great way to ground yourself:

1. Pause. Take a deep breath. Even a two-
   second pause helps.
2. Think in keywords. Write a word or two to guide your thoughts: your idea, emotion, and outcome.
3. Practice quickly. If you can, run it through in your head or say it quietly to yourself.
4. Keep it short. Don’t overdo it. A simple but strong idea lands better than rambling.

Get Better at Speaking Smart

Practice is key. Use small, everyday moments to get comfortable. When someone asks about your weekend, think in Idea-Emotion-Outcome.

Have a back-pocket story ready, whether it’s a lesson you learned, a funny moment, or a quick example you can adapt to different situations. These can save you when you’re caught off guard and own the moment!

Remember, impromptu speaking is never about being perfect in the moment—it’s about making the most of the moment.

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