Sooner or later someone is going to ask you a question that might make you feel uncomfortable and at the very least . . . awkward!

Why own that “awkward” when you can mark that envelope “return to sender”

The next time someone asks you a question that makes you feel a tad uncomfortable, send it back by asking . . .

“I’m curious . . . what prompted you to ask me that question?”

Several things will happen with that simple little question . . .

1)   You get the gift of having some context and clarity. Depending on how they answer your question you will quickly know where they’re coming from and going to with that question.

2)   You let them do the “splainin” instead of you. After all, they were the one that had to “go there” . . . let them feel like the ass.

3)   You regain control . . . Go ahead give yourself a gold star you control regaining mofo you!

4)   You might even get the gift of having this person see the ridiculousness of their question (if that were the case) or (and how cool is this) answer their own question!

5)   You bought yourself a few extra seconds to craft a more intelligent response. Don’t ever underestimate what you’re brain can do with a few more seconds. I’ve ascended into ridiculous levels of sarcasm all because I had a few extra seconds  🙂

Just to be clear, I’m not suggesting that we avoid questions or even not having the answers to commonly asked questions (even the awkward ones).

I’m simply inviting you to remember your manners and share some of that “awkward” . . .

With the dude or dudette who gave it to you in the first place!

Your turn . . .

What do you do when asked a difficult or awkward question?

One More thing . . .

For those of you who think this blog rocks . . .Download this cool PDF with “10 Ways I Rock With My Clients” and if you really want to make my day . . . pass it along to your boss and tell them to get me in there so I can make you lethal!