You're faced with unexpected technical questions during your presentation. How do you skillfully handle them?

Unexpected but you know the answer: Appreciate the question, answer Unexpected but you don't know the answer: 1) Appreciate the question, acknowledge your limit, 2) Share your commitment to learning about it, 3) Keep the door open for the person/the rest of the audience to get back to you with that question after a specific period, or 4) Volunteer to get back to the person with a possible answer in a specific time frame. Feeling nervous and anxious at such junctures is normal. When I am asked such a question, and I feel anxious, I tell it openly.

Handling unexpected technical questions during a presentation can be challenging and unnerving. I would suggest: 1. Remain calm & pause briefly to collect your thoughts. 2. If the question isn’t clear, ask for clarification. This gives you more time to think. 3. If applicable, break down your answer into components (e.g., context, challenges, solutions). 4. Use what you know related to the topic, even if it’s not a direct answer. 5. Instead of making things up, do not hesitate to say you don’t have an answer but offer to follow up after the presentation.

It is a good opportunity to appreciate the person who asked the question and admire his interest to know more. Again you have to know that no one knows every thing. No need to be nervous.

During a presentation, if faced with difficult technical questions, the speaker should remain calm and focus on the inquiry. Taking a moment to think before responding is crucial. If unsure of an answer, it’s acceptable to acknowledge this and offer to follow up later. When answering, connect the question to key points discussed, using examples for clarity. Encouraging audience participation can positively shift the discussion. Throughout, maintain a professional demeanor and a smile to foster engagement and interaction.

Being calm is not an action to do, it is a result of high level of prior preparation. One of the important steps to be well prepared is knowing the audience, know who always raise questions & know who is (are) expert to answer & engage. One of techniques, is to inform the audiences in the introduction that their raised questions will be appreciated and will answer it together at the end of the meeting as a matter of brain storming & sharing the experience (knowledge)

Listening = No.1 skillset to have. That said, here is a good trick. You can diffuse the question a little by mirroring it back to them. By that, I mean, for example... ask them this question before you answer... "So I am clear on your question could you ask it in a slightly different way, please?" This usually gets the questioner to not only reframe the question but they generally start answering it. This in turn gives you a little insight to their motives for asking it in the first place. Which in turn narrows the discussion. It buys a little time too. Oh - it also puts you in control of the dynamic between you and the audience as you bounce the question back to the room.

Ouvir atentamente a pergunta é fundamental. A neurociência nos ensina que a aten??o plena ativa áreas do cérebro que promovem a empatia e a compreens?o. Quando fiz isso em uma apresenta??o anterior, percebi que compreendia melhor a quest?o e, assim, podia responder de maneira mais eficaz e engajadora.

No technical question can shake your confidence if you're well-prepared. Anticipate all possible angles and questions related to your topic to remain calm and composed. Prepare for the toughest questions around your presentation. Instead of reacting aggressively to difficult questions, appreciate the person for bringing up that perspective. If a question is off-topic, briefly address it and steer the conversation back on track without disrupting the flow. Have pre-prepared phrases handy to maintain your composure in challenging moments. After answering, summarize key points to ensure your audience leaves with the main takeaways, ending your session on a positive note.

Listen to figure out the intention beyond the question. Some audience will just want to know, others want to embarrass you. Stay calm and tactful.

First, tie the question to the broader area you have already addressed or plan to address (which you can if the question is germane). So, “ as I understand your question you are asking how to apply [general proposition you have discussed] to [specific, technical area in question]” or “so the question is how [specific, technical area in question] fits into [general proposition you have discussed.” Second, admit you don’t have a specific answer BUT then apply the general principle. So, “I don’t have the [background, specific hands-on experience, something else] to dig into the details BUT in trying to be consistent with [one of your prior, more general points] I would [whatever steps at high level are always the first to take].”

A honestidade sobre o que você n?o sabe é poderosa. A neurociência mostra que a vulnerabilidade pode criar conex?es mais profundas. Em uma apresenta??o passada, admiti n?o saber a resposta a uma pergunta técnica e isso gerou um clima de confian?a, permitindo que o público se sentisse mais confortável em interagir.

Honesty is the best policy- this proverb holds the integrity of you or any situation. I believe this policy works everywhere because we want authenticity. Own it that you don’t know the answer of any question instead of fabricating the answer. Be ready to take the insights from the experts and promise to do research on the same and revert to that person via any mode of communication.

When faced with technical questions during a presentation, it’s important to handle them with honesty and professionalism. If unsure of the answer, I acknowledge it openly by saying something like, "That's a great question, and I want to ensure I give you the most accurate information. Let me follow up with you on that." This approach builds trust and credibility. I also steer the conversation towards my areas of expertise, providing insights where I can, and reassure the audience that their question will be addressed fully after the presentation. Honesty, combined with a willingness to help, leaves a positive impression.

It you don't know, you don't know. Avoid outsmarting your audience, it will fire back and your reputation at risk. You might have a partial answer. Or a superficial idea. A good introductory phrase in that case "To the best of my knowledge".

Always be ready to buy yourself some time by asking a question. "Would you mind repeating that question again?" or Restate the question and invite others in the audience to comment. You own the microphone so don't let anyone try to trip you up or hijack the floor with unrealistic technical mumbo jumbo. You can always ask them to meet with you after the presentation to explore the question on a deeper level. Be AWESOME!

Quando enfrentar uma pergunta complexa, simplifique a resposta. O cérebro retém informa??es mais facilmente quando s?o apresentadas de forma clara e concisa. Já utilizei analogias simples para explicar conceitos técnicos, e isso n?o apenas facilitou a compreens?o, mas também aumentou o engajamento do público.

The speaker is not always the most expert person in the room. Ask other experts if they know the answer. Many of them if attending will want to share their point of view.

5. Envolva Especialistas Se houver especialistas na sala, envolvê-los é uma excelente estratégia. A neurociência mostra que colabora??o e troca de conhecimento ativam áreas do cérebro associadas à criatividade e à resolu??o de problemas. Em uma situa??o anterior, chamar um colega para ajudar a responder uma pergunta técnica n?o apenas enriqueceu a resposta, mas também promoveu um ambiente de aprendizado coletivo.

The idea of a presentation is to discuss ideas. A business isn't a one-man army. It is a collective effort. Difficult technical questions do not arise because people want to be difficult. They occur because people care about the subject. Every business has people who are good at specific things. If people with expertise on a particular subject (relevant to the question) are unavailable, setting up a follow-up discussion is the easiest way to handle the situation.

It is one of ways to handle such situations but we have to be very cautious when we engage the experts and so important to inform them and get their permission prior the meeting. Other wise some of them will be disappointing if they are not ready to answer or not welling to answer in public.

Keeping the spotlight on your agenda is one of the key elements of a successful presentation. In case there is a question that takes you on a detour or stumps you by not knowing the answer. In such scenarios, it's always better to answer briefly or acknowledge that you do not know; what I do in such scenarios is appreciate the question adding that it gave me food for thought; and move back to your message. It's very easy for communication to get hijacked . Be mindful that you are there to address audience queries but your primary commitment is to communicate your message via your presentation.

Após responder, retome o fluxo da apresenta??o. Isso ajuda a manter o foco e a aten??o do público. A neurociência indica que transi??es suaves ajudam a manter a memória de trabalho ativa, facilitando a reten??o da informa??o. Em minha experiência, fazer uma liga??o entre a pergunta e o próximo ponto da apresenta??o mantém o engajamento e a coes?o do tema.