What do you do if you encounter disruptive audience members during a speech?

Staying calm is key. Start by addressing disruptive behavior calmly & assertively. Acknowledge the interruption & politely ask the individual to refrain from further disruptions. Maintain composure & focus on delivering your message, avoiding confrontational or reactive responses that could escalate the situation. By modeling calm & professional behavior, you can effectively manage disruptive audience members while maintaining control of the presentation. For example, if someone repeatedly interrupts with off-topic comments, you might say, "I appreciate your input, but let's stay focused on the topic at hand. We can address other questions during the Q&A session." This approach sets boundaries while preserving the flow of the presentation.

Stay Calm: Maintain your composure and don't let the disruption fluster you. Take a deep breath and remain focused on delivering your speech. Assess the Situation: Determine the nature and severity of the disruption. Is it a minor distraction, or does it require immediate action? Acknowledge the Disruption: Address the disruption diplomatically. You might say something like, "Excuse me, I see we have a difference of opinion here. Let's try to keep the discussion respectful so everyone can benefit from the presentation." Redirect Attention: If possible, redirect the audience's attention back to the topic at hand. You could do this by transitioning to a new point in your speech or by asking a question that engages the audience.

Sometimes - in smaller settings mostly - I try to engage with the person disrupting and put them on the spotlight (if other tactics) don’t work. It is a bit extreme but effective!

Humor almost always helps with subversive audience but you have to be calm to be witty enough for it. Sometimes, injecting a bit of humor into the situation can help diffuse tension and redirect the audience's focus. However, it's essential to use humor judiciously and ensure it is appropriate for the context.

I can answer this question from experience: Have them thrown out. Hecklers always have a personal agenda. They will disrupt a speaker for any of three reasons: - personal grudge against the speaker. - they want to promote their own cause, whatever that ridiculous cause may be, - they have been paid to heckle. In any case, you do not reason with them, you do not answer them with a tolerant smile, you do not use humor, or whatever. Have them thrown out. Make an example of them. If it's an event that you have organised yourself, then you should have the foresight to hire bouncers. Or, if the event organisers are unable or unwilling to throw out hecklers, you should walk out yourself.