12. How to Deal with Difficult Audience Members During a Q&A Session

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Jul 16, 2019

Navigating the tricky waters of a Q&A session can be daunting! Discover how to maintain your composure when faced with difficult audience members. Learn about the five types who may challenge you and the psychology behind their behavior. Gain insights on how to be assertive yet kind, making every interaction respectful. With personal anecdotes and practical strategies, you'll be equipped to handle tough questions and steer the conversation back on track. Plus, get tips on preparing your responses in advance for a smoother presentation!

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ADVICE

Embracing Disagreement

Acknowledge listener feedback and strive for diverse perspectives in discussions.
Don't shy away from disagreements and address topics where opinions differ.

INSIGHT

Q&A Dynamics

Q&A sessions shift some control to the audience, creating a vulnerability for presenters.
Difficult audience members exploit this power dynamic, sometimes intentionally, sometimes not.

ADVICE

Indexing Responses

Prepare for difficult questions in advance to maintain composure during presentations.
"Index" potential responses to avoid emotional reactions and deliver controlled, prepared answers.

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Here it is! Episode twelve of The Presentation Boss Podcast! Unfortunately not every time you present, not every audience member is going to act perfectly by you. Sometimes you get a tricky audience member who has something to say and you're going to get emotional. While we have a few stories and examples ourselves, we've always made sure to learn from the experience. In this episode we share those stories but more importantly, exactly how to cope with a difficult audience member during a Q&A session. Plus, we'll explore a bit of the psychology around why people aren't always ideal during these sessions and how to remain cool, calm and in control! We begin the episode with some feedback from a listener. It made us think and we'll take it on board in future. What You'll Learn • The authority and control balance that takes place during a Q&A session • Being prepared for the emotion and nerves of a difficult situation • The three goals you as a presenter, need to achieve when dealing with a difficult audience member • Being assertive, and how it can show kindness and respect • The five different types of difficult audience member • Why each type of difficult audience member acts the way they do • Exactly what to say to acknowledge and move on from each type of difficult audience member • How and why you must index responses in advance Resources and Links • Email us! podcast@presentationboss.com.au • The Presentation Boss Podcast: https://presentationboss.com.au/podcast/ • Presentation Boss on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/presentationboss/ • Presentation Boss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/presentation-boss • Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-norris/ • Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-krafft/ Quotes From This Episode • "It's worth knowing how to deal with these situations while still maintaining your poise, composure and remaining respectful" • "Whoever is asking the questions is in control of the conversation" • "If I answer this question, is it actually going to help everyone else in the room?" • "If you react in a calm and diplomatic way, it will earn you credibility" • "Sometimes the best way to deal with a difficult audience member' is not to deal with them"