Almost every week, I have at least one encounter with a person who renders me completely speechless. And I’m a speaker!

Unfortunately, I don’t mean “speechless” in the really touching way, but rather in the “someone just said something really odd or shocking” way. Their communication creates a response that ought not be spoken aloud. I briefly freeze up while thinking, “WHAT?! Did he really just say that?”

Okay, example time: This weekend I attended an amazing seminar. At one point, I bent over in my chair to pick up my pen from the floor. At that moment, my next-seat-neighbor—a total stranger—decided to tickle my lower back’s freshly exposed flesh. When I resumed my sitting posture, she turned to me and said, “I gave you a little massage.” WHAT?! Did that just happen?

More traditional scenarios include a teammate suggesting a terrible idea, a boss delivering some unexpected “constructive” feedback, a buddy considering a destructive path, an irrelevant observation, or anywhere that an “awkward turtle” might emerge. In these environments, I sometimes fall back on a fake-response to stall while taking a deep breath, collecting my thoughts, and then offering the real response.

So, before you explode or give the blank stare, try one of these 10 stalling phrases to assist you however you Team Up. Try imagining your most speechless scenarios and seeing how one of these might have played out. I’ve found this trusty list really useful—and often hilarious to visualize.

1. Alright then. Extremely versatile, nearly all-purpose response.
2. There you go. Close cousin of “alright then.”
3. I’m hearing you. When the situation seems to require a response from you now and you have not yet formulated yours.
4. How bout that? Perfect for when someone just shared something they shouldn’t have shared.
5. Well you know…Good for questions wherein you have zero opinion, but also know it doesn’t really matter. Example: “Do you think it’s going to continue raining?”
6. Hmmm, interesting. Ideal for proposals that are terrible.
7. You don’t say? A close cousin of “hmmm interesting.”
8. Fair enough. For any non-contentious opinion or observation that seems to require a response. Example: “I think we should do more training.”
9. Indeed. Conveys every-so-slightly stronger agreement than “fair enough.”
10. You’re worth it. Whenever someone asks a question beginning with “Should” and the outcome seems non-consequential. Example: “Should I go to the movies?”

I’d also love to hear your wacky scenarios, responses, or useful phrases down in the comments…happy speechless-ness to you!

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