How to manage the dreaded Q&A

Speaking
Written By Liam Sandford

‘What if they ask me something I don’t know?’ — a thought almost everybody has had in the lead up to a presentation. The dreaded questions that might come from your audience are enough to make you want to avoid speaking at all costs, yet it is a critical piece of the puzzle you have to solve.

All humans have a tendency to want to be right all the time, yet knowing all of the answers is not something anybody can do, and you aren’t expected to know everything either. Don’t put a meaningless ‘need to be right’ over effectively managing a Q&A with your audience after your presentation.

There are some ways to manage this that will give you more control over the Q&A section and keep you on track. Let’s run through them.

Be specific

You may have heard the phrase ‘a politicians answer’ where a politician will go around the houses, say a lot of words without actually saying anything it all. You should avoid doing this at all costs.

If someone asks you a specific question, give them a specific answer. Saying more words does not mean they will understand your point better, it adds the potential of confusing your audience. It is okay to elaborate by giving examples or quoting data, but ensuring you answer their question is the most important thing.

Don’t let your audience member leave feeling like they have been short changed by not getting an answer to their question.

Manage the room

Managing audience questions can be difficult, especially if you are giving up a physical microphone — it is a physical representation of giving someone control, and it can create the tendency to talk.

Think about the rules for a Q&A session ahead of time. You might give people 1 minute to ask their question. It keeps the control in your hands, whilst providing an opportunity for everyone to input. Setting your expectations of the room before giving up the microphone can be a powerful thing. You give everyone a fair shot and effectively manage the room.

If you hate taking questions this approach plays into your hands. How long will you give people to ask questions? How long will you give people to ask their question? Shape this around your comfortability when first starting out. Creating Q&A around your preferences will make it easier for you and help reduce any anxiety you feel about not knowing an answer. But if you really don’t know, you should just be honest.

Be honest

Honesty really is the best policy. If you are asked a question and don’t know the answer don’t try to fluff your way through it. The audience are not stupid and you shouldn’t treat them as if they are. They will be able to tell if you are making something up — usually you will waffle on for a long time without actually saying anything.

A simple, ‘I am not sure but will take your details and come back to you’ is an acceptable answer. This will also be much appreciated by your audience for being concise in that answer — nobody wants a long response that is actually saying ‘I am not sure’.

Actionable takeaways

  • When you get asked a specific question, give a specific answer rather than trying to come up with something clever. A simple specific answer is always best

  • Run the Q&A based on your preferences — give a timeframe for people to give their question and keep the control in your hands.

  • Be honest — if you don’t know something don’t try to come up with a half-cut answer. Let them know you are unsure and will get back to them.

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Liam Sandford
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