CROSS-EXAMINATION
Whoops—this guy didn't take Shmoop's public speaking course, and now he's flailing about in the outfield. (Source)
You've just given the speech of your life. Your timing was impeccable, you didn't stutter or stumble over any words, and the audience laughed at every one of your (corny) jokes. You're on top of the world…
…and then you realize you have yet to conquer the dreaded question and answer session that inevitably follows oh-so many presentations.
First things first: you don't have to do a Q&A at the end of your speech. Unless it's required because of your class or by your boss, you can consider not even answering questions at the end of your presentation at all. It's your speech. You get to have the last word.
But in the cases we mentioned just now—like in classes or because of your boss' expectations—there will be times when you have to field questions at the end of your public speaking adventure. So it serves you best to be well equipped when these sessions happen, so the anticipation and fear of them doesn't plague your entire performance.
Foremost, if you know your stuff, you should feel relaxed and at ease with any questions that might be tossed your way. There will be, however, those occasional curve balls that, no matter how accurately you swing, you're simply going to miss.
And if you're not a baseball enthusiast, we won't hold that against you. Even if you completely strike out next time you're at the figurative batting cage of public speaking, we'll still be wearing our "Team You" jersey and waving a pendant with your name on it.
MANAGING THE Q&A BLUES
Here's the deal. Though we told you in the lesson intro that if you're the one giving the speech, you get to make the rules and have the last word, we know you understand that this simply won't always be the case. There will be times when you're going to have answer questions—sometimes lots of them—about the material you've just presented.
Thankfully, there are tons of resources we can examine to help make this process much simpler and easier. Let's read "Responding to Questions Effectively," from the University of Leicester.
We like this reading because it breaks down the process of fielding audience questions into easy-to-follow steps, and offers several suggestions for what not to do—like answering the question you wished you'd been asked, instead of the one that was actually posed.
(Pretty much every politician ever: we're looking at you.)
There's an extensive section about how to handle difficult questions with poise, and a brief summary at the end. Go ahead and bust out this reading now.
Next, let's take a look at "Answering Questions After a Speech," by Kathy Stucker, the "Idea Lady."
We like where this is going.
Stucker provides several uncomfortable scenarios that may arise during a Q&A session, and how to maneuver skillfully through each one. Our favorite is to replace the age-old query, "Does anyone have any questions?" with "Who wants to ask the first question?" It's a subtle shift in phrasing, but it opens up the door for questions in a new way that many speakers don't consider.
Read and enjoy Stucker's article now, consider whether you've even been in one of the awkward positions she mentions, and think about how you'd deal with the same situations in the future.
YOU'VE GOT THIS
We've reviewed the basics of how to learn to love (okay, at least tolerate) the after-presentation question and answer portion of your presentation. But what happens if some eager beaver decides to ask you a question during your talk?
Oh, that beaver.
Some of the same tactics we discussed about end of speech Q&As also applies here; for example, you should state your ground rules about asking questions before even beginning your talk. If your audience is in the know about when and how to pose their questions, they'll be liable to comply. Despite what you may have heard, people actually like rules. It provides order—and that feels good.
Still, some outliers might feel the need to break your rules—or think that you weren't possibly including them when laying down your stipulations. Let's say you're giving a presentation at work, and your boss is the aforementioned rule-breaker. Your best defense against this sort of mid-speech attack is to be prepared. If you know your information like the back of your hand, any questions that can be thrown at you can be easily answered, and you can resume your presentation without missing a beat.
At all times, no matter what, it's pertinent that you remain in control of the situation. If your audience suspects that you're not in control, your credibility will waiver and you'll start to lose them. Why would anyone pay attention to a speaker who doesn't have a grasp on their own speaking event?
Pro tip: even if you're feeling wildly off balance or get caught unawares by a random question, breathe, remain calm, and keep in mind that you have the power.
Daily self-affirmations can really strengthen your public speaking skills, BTW.
Finally, while you're the authority on your topic, don't forget about including your audience. They want to think that they're part of the experience; don't neglect to acknowledge them or allow them to think you're "too good" to take the time to involve them and answer their questions. This can damage your reputation as a public speaker, and that's not what you're aiming for at all.
Don't let mid-point or presentation end Q&As get you down. The more you're prepared and have your material practiced, the more easily you'll be able to show 'em who's boss of the public speaking world.
Hey—you might be low-level entry player in the corporate game, but that doesn't mean you can't rule the boardroom. Just sayin'.