Nail Your Next (Virtual) Q&A
The unpredictability of the Q&A after your presentation can be intimidating. You might ask yourself, ‘What if I say the wrong thing?’, ‘What if I just start rambling?’ or even worse ‘What if I don’t know the answer?’
Given our current reality of virtual meetings, the Q&A is becoming a more common exercise to deliver your message and engage your audience.
This week is a no nonsense, five point framework on how to navigate the Q&A effectively, handle tough questions while building rapport at the same time and above all, how you can nail your next (virtual) Q&A session.
📺 To watch, ‘Nail Your Next (Virtual) Q&A’, click here.
📝 What helps you confidently handle impromptu speaking? Share your best tip below. 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾
If you enjoy these weekly videos, please like it and subscribe to the channel. Keep your questions and ideas coming on content you’d like to see covered on the platform.
#ImpromptuQuestions #NailTheQ&A #ImpromptuSpeaking #PublicSpeaking #SpeakingTips #PresentationQ&A #VirtualSpeaking #PresentationSkills #VirtualPresentationSkills #Speaking #Connection #SpeakerCoach #Communication #CommunicationSkills #HumanConnection #EveryConversationCounts #RiazMeghji
Transcript: Answer Impromptu Questions: Nail the (Virtual) Presentation Q&A
The Q&A is your moment of truth at the end of your presentation. How you handle unexpected questions in front of a live audience - in person or virtually - can make or break your credibility. How can you answer questions effectively? What if the question is confrontational? What if you don’t know the answer? In this video, you will get five key tips to Nail your Next Q&A and have your audience looking at you as the authority on your topic.
Hi. I’m Riaz. Welcome to the Every Conversation Counts platform. This is the channel that helps Leaders, Coaches and Content Experts to Connect Every Time You Present. If you're looking to Maximize Your Authentic Impact, subscribe to this channel and hit the bell for the heads up when new content is released weekly.
Bridge: You can prepare for and ace your presentation. Yet a common fear is the unknown that comes with the Q&A, more so now with virtual meetings. What if you’re asked a tough question and your mind goes blank? It’s a common problem and research has proven that when we’re not sure how to respond, that feeling is interpreted as a threat by our brains. This leads to a fight or flight response that blocks the creative thinking needed to deliver a clear and confident answer. The key is to remember that questions are a great sign of engagement and interest. Instead of fearing the unpredictability, this video will give you confidence with impromptu questions and help you shine in front of your clients, customers and co-workers. If you want to own the room during your next Q&A consider these five ideas:
1. 3-Point Play
Once you’ve listened, clarified and understood the question, how do you actually answer it effectively. A simple 3 point play for you is this: What’s Your Point? What’s Your Proof? What’s Your Practical Takeaway?
What’s Your Point? State your opinion or perspective in a sentence or two.
What’s Your Proof? Then be ready to back it up with examples or stories that support your argument.
What’s Your Practical Takeaway? Finally, deliver a specific takeaway or idea that emphasizes your point and will help the audience remember it.
You can practice this idea beforehand by brainstorming questions you anticipate people will ask.
For example, earlier this year pre-COVID, I was presenting at a showcase for Creative Mornings Vancouver, and an audience member asked a question on how we can connect with people we are going to interview. Here’s a look at the 3 point play in action:
-Creative Mornings Clip- (See Video clip)
2. Focus on What You Can Agree On
Sometimes you’re faced with people who disagree with your point of view. In order to turn that potential confrontation into a collaboration, FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN AGREE ON. Relationship is the foundation for productive dialogue and the key here is to find common ground first to defuse any potential tension.
Game Theorist Anatol Rapaport shared a strong framework to handle these types of situations:
Recap their perspective - You could say “If I’m understanding your take, you feel….”
Share the common ground “We both think that….
Then Identity the difference of opinion “The one area where we have different perspectives is….”
Share your proof - “The reason I believe this is…….”
This approach is valuable for one key reason. You are acknowledging the other person’s point of view first and making the person feel heard. When you do that, it will be easier to have a productive back and forth and encourage them to be open to new ideas or perspectives.
3. Build Your Story Inventory
Build Your Story Inventory. Document stories that are good examples of personal transformations to evoke emotion and connect with your listeners. For each point you make, have a persuasive story to back up your stance. Prepare for this by writing down a good 6-10 personal or inspirational stories you can draw from and reference when responding in the Q&A.
4. Answer the Question
Having interviewed countless subjects as a television host, the number one mistake I see interviewees and presenters make, is that they don’t answer the question. A lot of the time, people are so distracted by their own nerves, they don’t fully listen to the question being asked or possibly have their own hidden agendas and end up rambling on several tangents that fail to address the point of interest. Acknowledge the person asking the question, pause, reflect on it, ask for clarification if you need it, as it’s really important to ensure you understand what’s being asked first, then share your insights. If it looks and sounds like you’re dodging the question, your credibility will be questioned.
As a bonus, if the question is ambiguous, confirm you’ve answered what was being asked. Seasoned speakers recognize they are there to serve. It’s important to share your answer then confirm with the person, “does that answer your question.”
5. ‘Show Them’ It’s A Good Question
When someone asks you something you’re unsure about, instead of saying “That’s a good question” - which let’s be honest is a stall tactic and can alienate other audience members that don’t get the same response, instead just pause.
Your confidence to pause and reflect after a question, shows them you are taking time to reflect on what’s being asked and can even build anticipation for the insights to come. Sometimes, we get caught in the trap of trying to answer as quickly as possible and the only thing that comes out of our mouths are those dreaded filler words - ummm, ahhhh. If you really do like their question, be specific about why you think this is an important point to cover rather than a generic - that’s a great question comment.
With the a strategic approach the Q&A can become an enjoyable and powerful exercise for you. Brainstorm the questions you think might be asked, prepare your 3 point plays, think about key stories to share and most importantly think about your audience and what they need right now. Questions are a great sign of interest in your content and if you prepare for the unexpected, your credibility will benefit from your efforts. In the end, if you don’t know the answer, be honest about it, get back to them and build that relationship offline.
Now, What do you fear most about the Q&A? Share your experiences and best tips that have helped you overcome that fear below. For more ideas on how to connect with others, you can download the free guide - the 5 secrets to making every conversation count, that link is in the description.
Thanks for watching this video - if you want to project confidence when you present, or captivate your audience when speaking virtually check out these videos. If you found this content valuable, hit the like button, subscribe and feel free to share the content. We will see you in the next video.