What would you say? Imagine with me—You are walking down the street and enjoying the day. Someone with a television camera sticks a mic in your face and starts to ask you rapid-fire questions. Not questions like, “What is your favorite color”, but questions that demand substance and thought.
This is exactly what my wife Bernice and I encountered while walking down Paulista Avenue in São Paulo on our 21st wedding anniversary.
Taking a stroll, exploring and enjoying each others company was the plan for the day. No agenda needed, just each other. Suddenly, we were approached by a television crew and asked if we could answer a few questions. Sure, why not! The television station is the 4th largest TV station in all of Brazil as far as viewership is concerned. We’re not talking small, rarely watched, local cable Wayne’s World TV. Here is what they asked:
How do you prevent your teenage children from falling into drug and alcohol abuse?
How do you prevent them from promiscuity?
You can find her answers at the bottom of the page. But first, I want you to know Bernice shined when put on the spot and I want to share with you 3 tips on how she did it.
3 Tips to Shine When You Are Put on the Spot
1. BE BRAVE
Bravery is defined: Courageous behavior or character. When you are placed in a position and are expected to think fast and be responsive; be brave. Bernice demonstrated so much courage and growth by even agreeing to be interviewed in the middle of a city that has 22 million people. The first step is always the most challenging. But if you’re learning to walk, it is a necessity.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” -Nelson Mandela
You were created to shine. Bravery is the avenue to communicating effectively with results. The world is waiting for you to be brave.
2. BE READY
Are you ever really ready when put on the spot? Being put on the spot actually means there is no time to rehearse or prepare. So how can you be ready on the spot?
The scripture states: For out of the fullness (the overflow, thesuperabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.
That is from Jesus himself.
When you are asked something spontaneous and not given time to meditate on your response what comes out of your mouth is the authentic you. It is in your heart and it is the true you coming out. Pure, unrehearsed, unfaked (I think I just made that word up) and genuine YOU. Preparedness comes from what you fill your heart with. Be ready by staying true to your convictions.
3. BE BOLD
Boldness is putting your bravery into action, without hesitation. In order to shine you need to take a risk. The possibility is true- You may fail. I imagine that you will fail. If you do not fail you aren’t trying. Don’t allow failure strip you of your boldness. Keep going and keep being bold. Keep being brazen about your convictions. It will win the crowd and your boldness becomes magnetic.
Bernice shined because she had conviction and ownership of her response. She reacted with a healthy response due to her authenticity.
Her response to the questions from the TV reporter-
Brazil is very much a religious country. Bernice cut straight to the point and differentiated religion versus an actual relationship with Jesus. She went against mainstream and popular opinion by proclaiming the importance of abstinence and the importance of active parenting. There was passion in her tone and her message was received by the reporter and TV crew as genuine and different. She made a stand and her voice was heard.
She shined and I couldn’t be more proud.
How do you respond when you are put on the spot?