can this skill ever be acquired or is it only something you’re born with? I mean-being able to give witty replies without having to think too long, or more importantly being able to make quick decisions at work?
If it can’t be acquired, the can someone explain the good parts about not being that way? 
Re: Being quick on your feet
Skill is acquired, talent is what you are born with
Re: Being quick on your feet
it is a skill and can be acquired.......
many folks who are witty and have the ability to think on their feet are well-read as well as street-smart....they tend to stay on top of pop culture and have a pretty decent grip on what's going on around them.
of course a sense of humour is a must.
Re: Being quick on your feet
It also helps if you are social and mingle with people on regular basis.
But yeah some people are just witty!
Re: Being quick on your feet
Well sometimes somethings gotta give.
I find those who are quick off the mark with cheap verball shots and slurs are always the fastest to run away when things get serious.
Likewise theres folk who are not so quick with thier verbal comebacks but they might just launch a fist into you without warning...
Quick thinking is something that can be taught or learned, you learn through nurture.
Physical speed is also somehting that can be improved but less taught more learned through trial and error, you work with what you have.
Re: Being quick on your feet
it is a skill and can be acquired....... many folks who are witty and have the ability to think on their feet are well-read as well as street-smart....they tend to stay on top of pop culture and have a pretty decent grip on what's going on around them. of course a sense of humour is a must.
I am not sure how important is having knowledge of pop culture, and I never ever understood the rationale behind why having knowledge of pop culture is so highly valued in our society. Now if someone can crack a sciency witty joke, they will be on the top of the list of my favourite people. A LOT of witty people I have come across have no other knowledge than pop culture shows like The Family Guy or sports. How is that even being street 'smart'?
My advice to you is that it is ok to not be witty, be a good approachable person.
Re: Being quick on your feet
Skill is acquired, talent is what you are born with
it is a skill and can be acquired....... many folks who are witty and have the ability to think on their feet are well-read as well as street-smart....they tend to stay on top of pop culture and have a pretty decent grip on what's going on around them. of course a sense of humour is a must.
I am not sure how important is having knowledge of pop culture, and I never ever understood the rationale behind why having knowledge of pop culture is so highly valued in our society. Now if someone can crack a sciency witty joke, they will be on the top of the list of my favourite people. A LOT of witty people I have come across have no other knowledge than pop culture shows like The Family Guy or sports. How is that even being street 'smart'?
My advice to you is that it is ok to not be witty, be a good approachable person.
Hhmmm ok. I guess I wnated to know more about like at work...like when you're put on the spot with a manager/coworker. Alot of jobs (actually I think almost every single job position) says they want u to be quick on your feet, a fast thinker etc. and that I want to know, if it can be acquired or you're just not that type.
Re: Being quick on your feet
Hhmmm ok. I guess I wnated to know more about like at work...like when you're put on the spot with a manager/coworker. Alot of jobs (actually I think almost every single job position) says they want u to be quick on your feet, a fast thinker etc. and that I want to know, if it can be acquired or you're just not that type.
In this case I would say that it depends on the position......but they may be referring to the ability to make decisions that are "out of the box".....to come up with a solution that may address a situation that has not been defined for you in training but you are able to apply the knowledge that you have and resolve matters.
Does that make some sense?
Re: Being quick on your feet
Hhmmm ok. I guess I wnated to know more about like at work...like when you're put on the spot with a manager/coworker. Alot of jobs (actually I think almost every single job position) says they want u to be quick on your feet, a fast thinker etc. and that I want to know, if it can be acquired or you're just not that type.
Peace Sara516
The reality is both are true ... Some people are born with a wittier disposition, but they may or may not nurture that trait, others don't come by wit naturally, but can put some work towards getting there.
The thinkers ways to the problem is to analyse the situations that lead to wit ... You will find they tend to be reflexes. Really wit at work translates to being conscious of risk and watching your back .... Have a stock answer for all categories and modify them in specific cases. Wit often results from a defensive position that is turned in to an attack ... Looking at this from marshal angle ... It is about diverting the energy of the opponent back on to himself ... You are merely the carrier of that energy for a time ... So you don't absorb the attack, but use it ... Translating this back it suggests that wit requires negative remarks to be used as the basis for throwing back at the attacker ... So someone says .... "good afternoon" when you come late in the morning ... You already have a stock response that can make the other party uneasy ... such as ... "watch it! Or I'll spill the beans about why you spend so long in the toilets" ... Make a joke that is funnier along the same topic ... I.e. In this case ... time usage and you have your witty formula ...
Re: Being quick on your feet
If one is in the frontlines in a service industry bring quick on the feet is desirable. If the work involves research I am not sure being quick on ones feet is even necessary. And if one is in charge of making decisions during a deep eorldwilide recession - I would rather he takes his time rather than pay Goldman Sachs UBS JPMorgan et al 100 cents to the dollar and backstops too big to fail banks and hand out billions in ARRA money. Or if one is leader of a country I would rather he take his time before sending young kids to war.
So yes - slow and deliberate thinking wins in my book
Re: Being quick on your feet
I think it can be acquired to some degree, by having encountered such situations before. It’s a lot like how comics are good on their feet. They’ve dealt with hecklers, and have probably made similar jokes so often that when a situation requiring a comment arises, they just saw something, seemingly spontaneously. Not only do you build up a repertoire of “retorts”, but you become accustomed to thinking on your feet.
I remember watching an interview with Jamie Foxx where he said that when he first moved to LA, he would go to Venice Beach and just "shoot the ____ " with guys. They would make fun of each other etc, and he said that it really helped to sharpen his wit. I know I’m focusing on comics here, but I think it applies equally to all situations. Of course, some people are just better than others, chalk it up to natural talent, but anyone can improve.
I should thank my friends for being deleted :halo:
Re: Being quick on your feet
I think watching certain tv shows (not Friends) might also help.
Re: Being quick on your feet
everyone has some sort of talent like this............it comes out and shines when you are in a conducive environment.... like hanging out with friends and joking/bantering etc etc........
Re: Being quick on your feet
In this case I would say that it depends on the position......but they may be referring to the ability to make decisions that are "out of the box".....to come up with a solution that may address a situation that has not been defined for you in training but you are able to apply the knowledge that you have and resolve matters.
Does that make some sense?
Yes, perfect sense. like at a previous interview, the person asked me to make a pitch--sell anything. Another (same interview) question was, to find 3 things to do with a pencil. I know those weren't my strongest answers, but I can see how it fit in wiht the interview.
everyone has some sort of talent like this............it comes out and shines when you are in a conducive environment.... like hanging out with friends and joking/bantering etc etc........
See, I'm ok with friends...well now...that's taken a long time to "fix" too, but my concern is within the professional environment. Friends can be understanding and overlook things, but not so true with others.
Re: Being quick on your feet
hello Sara 
i do not think that it is a skill, quick thinking is an element of ure personality. some ppl are very quick at thinking but very slow in actions.
also God always balance one quality with other ,
these maybe nature’s gifts to a person but are fruitful only when Allah wishes.
Re: Being quick on your feet
Sara, in my experience this is an inborn thing, one can try to acquire it , but may not be a pro at it.
In general, people are either great at on the spot communication or they arent.. there is no middle way to it .. that is why companies do detailed personality profiling when they are hiring for important positions .. because some things come to us naturally and they can be very bankable traits when it come to business ..
For example, a colleague of mine was a senior manager, he and I both worked together for almost 8 years .. same position, similar personalities, but when I struggled to close a deal he could get it done in half an hour ! ... the key difference was in his natural communication skills v/s my "acquired" communication skills ..
But should that make me feel less in anyway? not really... because we are all different.. some are great at thinking on the spot, others are designed in a way to delve deeper into the situation, may take time but will take profitable decisions.
For example, I had a more consultative, to the point approach which was my inborn skill .. and when the same colleague couldnt bring down a deal despite his on the spot thinking, I was called on to take on that client .. because not everyone is alike in this world .. what may be your acquired skill might be someone's inborn one .. what their acquired skill may be your inborn one ! ..
Now in terms of day to day mid level jobs .. they dont expect you to become a pro at it , but they are expecting from you is not to fall flat like a deck of cards when client/customer throws something unexpected your way .. and that skill is something which you can work on to some degree, by preparing yourself really well and knowing as much as possible about your role, your colleagues roles around you , your product, your company ..
hope this helps ..