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"Also Tell 'em This!"
Hello
And there she was just building up brilliantly
to the key point of her speech when suddenly a hand shot up from someone in the
6th row.
Disconcerted – she stumbled, um’ed and err’ed,
blushed and nervously asked “Err, yes?”
Certainly...
The questioner had picked an inappropriate
moment to ask his question – perhaps it had been on his mind for a while and he
finally just had to ask.
The speaker with good grace listened to the
question and did her best to answer it
But...
The rhythm of her speech has been knocked off
the rails; the build up she’d created was destroyed, the audience was annoyed –
not just with the questioner and his poorly timed enquiry but also with her for
allowing the occasion to arise.
You see...
Here’s a key mistake made by so many speakers,
presenters (even professionals) and anyone who has the chutzpah to stand and
expounds their views, ideas and thought.
And it’s...
Failing to tell the audience your rules on
questions!
As the speaker – it’s completely and totally
your decision as to when you’ll take questions.
And:
There are a number of options.
-
You can decide that you’ll take questions
at anytime
-
You can decide that there’ll be a question
and answer session at the end of your speech or presentation
-
You can decide that you’re not going to
take questions at all
The choice is yours!
However...
If you don’t tell the audience – your rules
for questions – they’re likely to ask at the wrong time with disastrous
consequences for you, your talk and your audience.
The story I started with wasn’t one – it was
an true account of what I saw happen for, unfortunately, an inexperienced
presenter at a meeting some time ago.
Now...
My personal style of presenting is highly
interactive with the audience members and so I’m happy to say: “If you have a
question, ask me at any time, interrupt me – just ask when there’s anything you
want to know”
But - when do you tell them?
Well – very early on in your presentation.
Just after your opening before you launch your ship of ideas, thoughts and
information.
And so...
As you're preparing your next speech – add a
BIG NOTE for yourself to tell the audience your rules for questions – you’ll be
so pleased you did. Oh and by the way – so will they.
Will you use this idea?
Oh good –
Go on then
Peter Thomson
Editor and Questions Rule Publisher
tgiMondays
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