You're presenting and someone questions your key message. How do you maintain control?
When someone questions your key message during a presentation, it's essential to stay composed and maintain authority. Here are some strategies to help you navigate this situation effectively:
How do you handle tough questions during presentations? Share your thoughts.
You're presenting and someone questions your key message. How do you maintain control?
When someone questions your key message during a presentation, it's essential to stay composed and maintain authority. Here are some strategies to help you navigate this situation effectively:
How do you handle tough questions during presentations? Share your thoughts.
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Handling tough questions during presentations is an opportunity to build credibility and trust. My approach revolves around three principles: 1. Active Listening: I acknowledge the question sincerely, ensuring the person feels heard and respected. 2. Reinforcing Clarity: I take the chance to restate my message with relevant examples or data to make the point more robust. 3. Collaborative Engagement: If the question opens broader perspectives, I involve the audience, encouraging a collaborative discussion that often strengthens the overall narrative. Such moments remind me that presentations are not just about delivering information but about fostering dialogue and mutual understanding.
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Handling a question about your key message starts with listening actively and responding with curiosity. Acknowledge the question sincerely, and use a bridging statement like, 'That’s an interesting angle. Let me explain how this ties into the bigger picture.' My number one rule is "don't try to change their mind!" On the contrary, to foster collaboration and build support, involve others by asking, 'Does anyone else have thoughts on this?' This approach shows confidence, encourages diverse perspectives, and has often helped me identify allies who may support the key message, reinforcing credibility and keeping the conversation on track.
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I will be practising LACAV methods: Listen cerefully the question. Then acknowledge the person that ask you the question. Clarify the question with the person to ensure we understand his/her question. Answer the question and last verify with the person whether I answered his/her question or whether he/she has additional question.
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I don't. Stuff happens in life that you can't control. No matter how meticulously you framed your To-do list. I believe that's the beauty of life. It can surprise you. So whatever happens you use it to your advantage, learn from it, and move past it.
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I’d stay calm and acknowledge their point by saying something like, “That’s a great question !, thank you for sharing.” Then I’d explain my perspective clearly, using any facts or examples I have to support it. If their point is valid, I’d agree where it makes sense (to build trust )but I will still bring the focus back to my main message so the presentation stays on track.
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- Set ground rules during at the beginning of the ppt - allocate a separate time for Q and A - Give short answers - Invite for focus 1-1’s if any further clarity is needed - Ignore/ push hard for any sabotage attempts
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As a speaker, I'll be thrilled to be engaging with an audience member paying attention to my presentation. It's a great opportunity to connect, build trust and gain credibility by providing a well researched and insightful response to the questions being asked. Instead of seeking to control or curb the conversation, my approach would be to help direct the Q&A flow in a manner that it becomes an engaging dialogue that ultimately benefits both the speaker and the audience. #activelistening
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I would love to handle these challenges. First of all, Me being me i will let the person finish without interrupting to understand their concern. Afterwards appreciating his concern I will reinforce my key message to stay focus on my objective. I will ensure that the other person has to come on the same page where I am😉.
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One thing that has always helped me is that it is very important to try and understand where the question is coming from. I always try and probe deeper into why they are saying what they are saying. If my research is strong and backed up by data, then anyway that's a void question. But it needs to be dealt with emotionally and tactfully
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Ask questions to understand better where the concern comes from as different assumptions or beliefs can lead to this. Don’t confront, ADD ON. Meaning rather than answering with a but answer with an and.
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