Ever been in a meeting where you’re sharing an idea and suddenly someone pushes back? Maybe they say, “I don’t see how that would work,” or hit you with a question you weren’t expecting. 

Your heart skips a beat. You’re thinking, “Uh… how do I respond without sounding defensive or totally thrown?” 

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies for handling objections and challenging questions in meetings with confidence, clarity, and composure. You’ll learn how to stay grounded in the moment, turn objections into opportunities, and even use these situations to boost your credibility. 

In This Episode: 

• My story of presenting my first strategy to a board - and what I learned the hard way about handling challenging questions 
• Why objections trigger us (hello, imposter feelings and fear of being wrong!) 
• How to reframe objections as engagement—not personal attacks 
• 4 common types of challenging questions—and how to handle each 
• The B.R.I.D.G.E. Framework for structured, confident responses 
• Language you can use in the moment, even when caught off guard 
• Mindset shifts to help you stay calm and in control under pressure 

This is Influence & Impact for Leaders, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy and high performing team. Each episode delivers focused, actionable insights you can implement immediately, to be better at your job without working harder. 

Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Impactful Teams Scorecard – Discover how your team measures up and how you can grow your team’s impact. 
• 1:1 Leadership Coaching with Carla – Define your unique leadership brand and thrive outside the mould. Book a discovery call 

📢 If This Resonated… 

Please share this episode with a fellow leader who needs to hear it. 

Leave a review to support the show or reach out to me directly — I’d love to hear what landed most for you.