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how do you deal with an ambush?

Picture credit: menthedogs

Picture credit: me'nthedogs

So how do you deal with an ambush?

What do you do when you are in a meeting and someone suddenly springs a ‘surprise’ that has obviously been carefully planned but deliberately concealed from you and your colleagues?

Of course everyone knows when there is a bushwhacker in the meeting room – the dead give-away signs are familiar to us all: the [literally] last minute distribution of papers, or the impromptu powerpoint presentation with meticulously prepared slides

Setting out to ambush your colleagues or business partners sends them a very clear message: I don’t trust or respect you. That’s not a great foundation for a relationship is it?

Please let me know how you have dealt with an ambush – or do you think it is a valid ploy that is fair game?

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  • http://www.sba.co.im Steve Burrows

    I disagree with the statement “I don’t trust or respect you” – it may well be that the bushwhackers consider an ambush necessary because they respect you so highly that they feel they must have all their ducks in a row before broaching an issue, and that what they want to consider or reveal is highly contentious. It is a valid ploy, and has to be accepted as part of the game.

    That being said, the first rule is “Don’t (over) react”. Sit back, listen, make them lay out the whole plot, don’t pick up on points mid-way, concentrate and take the whole picture in. There are bound to be revelations that you consider to be negatives, otherwise there would be no need for an ambush; look past these to understand the positives that the plot is supposed to bring. Try to achieve a balanced view in spite of the circumstances.

    If you can evaluate it on the spot, and form a solid conclusion and good arguments in respect of aspects you wish to contend then do so, and once they have finished their pitch ask them to address these aspects (reveal them one at a time). Only do this if you have enough information to win “on the spot”, they have prepared, but you haven’t.

    If it’s all too much to deal with now say so, “Obviously this is all news to me, you’ve sprung it on me today, I haven’t had time to give it mature consideration and I’m not prepared to respond to it now. Let’s schedule a follow-up meeting next week to make a decision”. Force deferral of discussion on the basis of their ambushing behaviour, and in doing so deny them the advantage of the ambush – you may actually turn the ambush to their disadvantage by insisting on deferral. They have revealed their plot without gain.

    Whatever you do do, don’t be bludgeoned into agreeing with anything! Sit back, keep quiet and listen, make them do the work and then take control. You almost certainly can take control, and the bushwhackers know it, otherwise the ambush tactic would not have been needed.

  • http://www.colin-beveridge.com Colin Beveridge

    excellent comment Steve, thanks. I am not so sure, though, that a well-prepared ambush is a sign of respect. Agree about not over-reacting though – always better to dampen a fire, rather than feed it.

  • Mel Oka

    I agree with Steve regarding the need to keep your immediate reaction in check and to listen to presentation.

    Depending on the tone, conclusions presented, etc, the viewer can usually discern the purpose of the presentaion. Place blame; creating cover (without placing blame; etc

    The other consideration is the venue. If there are others viewing the presentation, keep in mind that they are also drawing conclusions and not just on what is presented but possibly your reaction.