How to Deal with Tough Presentation Questions

This blog will help you to successfully handle tough questions during your presentation.

How do you respond to unexpected/challenging questions? 
A fearful scenario 

You’ve prepared fully for your presentation and it’s flowing smoothly as planned, with the audience hanging on every word.

Suddenly, out of the blue, someone interrupts you with a comment or question, which takes you completely by surprise because of its tone and ferocity. It stops you in your tracks mid-sentence!

If this challenge is not met appropriately, you can easily lose control of the meeting and, possibly, the respect of attendees.

Top tips to handle tough questions

One of the greatest fears for public speakers is that their audience will not like them and/or confront them with a question they are unable to answer.

Firstly, remember that you are upfront and centre on merit, based on your knowledge, expertise, role and responsibility.

The audience wants to hear what you have to say and will normally hope that you can deliver your message clearly, confidently and successfully.

Successfully handle tough questions in your presentation
Successfully handle tough questions in your presentation
Analyse your audience in advance to establish an empathetic relationship:
  • What is their role, experience and agenda?
  • WIIFT What’s in it for them?
  • Put yourself in their shoes
  • Anticipate 5 ‘Killer’ questions they might fire at you eg financial, deadlines, resources etc. Then include the answers in the body of your presentation!
Step into the difficult question, physically moving forwards to engage with the questioner:
  • Avoid retreating on to ‘the back foot’, indicating that you are struggling with your response and retreating, opening yourself up to further attack
  • Questions are only perceived as difficult if you display signs of discomfort
Make eye contact to reinforce engagement:
  • Clarify their question and paraphrase to ensure correct interpretation
    • “If I understand you correctly, you are asking…… Is that right?”
  • Repeat the question if the audience might not have heard it
  • Direct your answer to everyone (don’t allow that person to dominate proceedings)
  • Avert your eyes from the questioner as you finish to avoid another question from them
Give yourself time to consider your answer:
  • Pause, take a deep breath or sip of water
Find something you can agree with, even if you strongly disagree:
  • Try not to create tension or conflict
  • Listen carefully to their argument to see where you can find agreement
    • “You may be right in certain situations/I don’t entirely agree. My approach might be more effective in other circumstances and work well with your solution”
  • Acknowledge you’ve fully heard the question – it’s easier to present your opinion
Accept that you will not always know the answer to a question which catches you out on the day, however well-prepared you are:
  • That’s OK. Don’t panic.
  • Admit you don’t know and assure the questioner you will contact them with your response later (note their name and email address).
    • “I don’t know but I’ll find out and let you know”
  • Don’t make up an answer!
Don’t take comments personally:
  • Try not to take hostility personally
  • Remain politely detached
  • Acknowledge their contribution
Conclusion

Take control of Q&A. Make sure you finish strongly and have the last word.

Remember… “You are performing for the group, not for a few outspoken individuals…” Jeremy Bailenson PhD, Stanford University Psychology Professor

Learn more tips and tricks like these in our Presentation Skills training!

4 Tips to Think Creatively and Feel Happier in Lockdown

Embracing your inner creativity can be a real morale boost during times of high stress and pressure.

“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas” – Linus Pauling (founder of quantum chemistry, molecular biology, and molecular genetics)

Whether you are a fresh graduate isolating by yourself, a key worker still working hard, or you are married with five kids trying to home-school all of them at once(!) everyone has their own set challenges during the current lockdown.

To feel happier and more in control of your situation, thinking more creatively can help A LOT. See below some ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

Brainstorm many different solutions

If you are struggling to finish your work while home-schooling your children, try discussing different approaches to manage your time more efficiently with your partner or colleagues. Would it be possible to do split shifts? Could you work better by catching up on emails in the evening, giving time to focus on the kids in the afternoon?

If you try just one approach and it’s not working effectively, things are unlikely to improve unless you experiment with some different strategies.

White and Black Weekly Planner on Gray Surface

Ask yourself better questions

 As personal development guru Tony Robbins says “If you want a better answer, ask yourself a better question.” Instead of focusing on the challenges you are facing, focus on possible solutions. Make sure you are not acting like a victim.

If you are struggling to stay positive during the lockdown don’t say to yourself,

“I hate this lockdown, it’s so boring.”

Instead ask yourself,

“How can I make this fun? What can I do to enjoy this process even more?”

 Walk or run different routes

 When trying to think differently, any form of movement or exercise allows blood to flow faster in our body and this enables us be more creative. In addition, taking a different route when you walk, run or cycle can help you to spark your creative brain and approach problems in a new way.

After a nice long bout of aerobic exercise, some people experience what’s known as a “runner’s high”; a feeling of euphoria coupled with reduced anxiety and a lessened ability to feel pain. You may hate running, but there are many ways to access the similar feeling of runner’s high, from cycling to walking up a big hill. What can you do more of to take advantage of this feeling?

Woman With White Sunvisor Running

Learn new skills

Evidence shows that learning new skills or reading a variety of books can help us be more creative, allowing us to come up with new ideas and solutions more easily. A great way to achieve this is to upgrade and develop your soft skills or learn a new technical skill.

Another fantastic benefit of self-development is that it helps us feel more positive about ourselves and boosts self-esteem. What new skills can you learn or improve during lockdown to build your confidence?

Conclusion

Dealing with personal challenges during lockdown can be hard work! Try to mix up your approach and challenge yourself to think creatively by experimenting with the approaches above. Sometimes pushing yourself outside of your creative comfort zone can be just the inspiration you need to help you feel happier and more in control.

To learn more about creative thinking consider attending a Problem Solving and Decision Making training to take your skills to the next level alternatively try Stress management, resilience – working from home course.