Answering questions after a presentation can be challenging. You want to provide enough detail to satisfy the audience, but also avoid rambling or going off-topic. How can you balance these goals and deliver concise and clear answers? Here are some tips to help you master this skill.
One of the best ways to answer questions with enough detail and still be concise is to prepare in advance. Anticipate the most common or likely questions that your audience might have, and rehearse your answers. Use the main points of your presentation as a guide, and focus on the key messages and evidence that support them. Avoid introducing new or irrelevant information that might confuse or distract the audience.
I like having a parking lot or follow up option with participants. It allows a short answer or a more detailed one later where you don’t have to try and answer the whole question real time.
Know your audience (the people) & (the vertical/product) market Simplify the complex (talk less) Visual graphics/images, rather than text heavy content (convey your points with graphic, people understand this better than reading)
Think in advance about: - the slide with a summary or take-home message - the question you would ask yourself during/after your own presentation, and practice giving concise answers to that. - provide clear and short examples (visuals) to the raised questions -in case there are questions that do require relatively obvious answers, try to prepare yourself in advance to politely answer such questions and save time. - prepare simple and clear graphics/ extra slides if you think some follow-up questions might appear, it speeds up discussion and enhances the clarity - know your audience! - if you run out of time or you see the discussion might take its turn, politely invite for a follow-up chat after the talk
Prepare in advance by reading good content about your topic. Start by identifying reputable sources like books and research papers. Diversify your reading to gain a balanced perspective. Take thorough notes, emphasizing key points and supporting evidence. Analyse and synthesize the information to form a comprehensive understanding. Create an organized outline based on your notes. Practice summarizing complex ideas concisely. Develop clear key messages aligned with your audience's needs. Rehearse your responses to potential questions, focusing on being both informative and concise. With this approach, you'll be well-prepared to provide insightful and succinct responses on your chosen topic.
Anticipate diverse questions. Grasp your solution broadly, and why the question arises. Some questions may be casual. Stay on point, relevance is key. People sometimes ask just for the sake of asking.
Another important tip is to listen carefully to the questions and understand what the audience is asking. Don't interrupt or jump to conclusions before the question is finished. Clarify the question if you are not sure what it means, and repeat it back to the questioner if necessary. This will show respect and interest, and help you tailor your answer to their needs and expectations.
In communication most of us speak just for the sake of speaking and arguments, listening is one of the most important aspects which most of the professionals ignore in communication. If we are focused on listening analysing and then interpreting we can surely be better in delivering. I personally allow others to complete their questions, I probe before coming to my answer and once I have clarity then I will be sharing my insight.
-Allow the question to be asked completely, or if you find it unclear/confusing, try rephrasing it to make sure you and the audience understand it. - if you do find the question good, praise it :) - always show the respect and appreciate the question being asked
Embrace active listening. Simultaneously, jot notes. Guide the talk by asking questions, aiming to unveil the core challenge. Delve deep into discussing the challenge. Don't rush; ensure you grasp the questions. Unlock their full potential and make them identify their challenges by themselves. The next step will be secured.
This is especially important in hybrid situations where the online group may not even hear the question. Repeating the question allows the online participants to hear what was asked not just your answer and you get all of the benefits of repeating and making sure you understood the question in the first place!
Improving active listening involves being fully present, using nonverbal cues, paraphrasing, asking open-ended questions, avoiding interruptions, empathizing, suspending judgment, embracing silence, reflecting feelings, practicing mindfulness, seeking feedback, reducing multitasking, taking notes (when appropriate), being culturally sensitive, cultivating self-awareness, practicing in various settings, creating a feedback loop, continuous learning, exploring resources, and being patient. These steps will enhance your active listening skills, improving communication and relationships.
A useful technique to structure your answers is the STAR method. This stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. You can use this method to describe a specific example or scenario that illustrates your point, and how you handled it. Start by setting the context of the situation, then explain the task or goal that you had, then describe the action that you took, and finally, share the result or outcome that you achieved. This will help you provide enough detail and evidence, while also being concise and focused.
Learned about the STAR method interviewing with Amazon. Pretty helpful acronym and approach! It’s a good story telling approach as well. Don’t forget your conclusion!
STAR Strategy: Answer Strategically! Employ the STAR method – Situation, Task, Action, Result. Paint a vivid picture with a scenario that backs your point. Set the context, detail the task, explain your action, and reveal the outcome. This formula offers ample detail with laser focus, a potent blend of substance and conciseness. The best method to be used in Interviews and arguments.
S (Situation): Describe the context briefly. E.g., "In my last job, we faced a tight project deadline." T (Task): Explain your role. E.g., "I was responsible for project management." A (Action): Highlight what you did. E.g., "I organized daily meetings, resolved issues promptly, and reallocated resources." R (Result): Share outcomes. E.g., "We finished ahead, impressing the client, resulting in 20% higher satisfaction scores." Prepare by identifying competencies, listing experiences, and crafting concise STAR stories. Adapt stories to various questions. Reflect on what you've learned from each experience to excel in interviews.
In some scenarios, I prefer using the CARL Method (Context, Action, Result, Learning) It includes the Learning Component, which encourages reflection on lessons learned from the experience. This can be valuable for demonstrating personal growth, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. CARL's emphasis on learning and adaptation is especially helpful for explaining continuous learning and problem-solving skills more effectively.
After you have given your answer, don't forget to summarize and check for understanding. You can use a brief sentence or phrase to restate your main point or takeaway, and link it back to your presentation. This will reinforce your message and help the audience remember it. You can also ask the questioner if your answer was clear and helpful, and invite further feedback or follow-up questions. This will show that you value their input and engagement, and that you are open to dialogue and learning.
Understand the Question: Read or Listen and grasp the question's core meaning. Summarize Key Points: Identify and condense the main elements of the question. Plan Your Response: Outline the structure of your answer, noting key ideas. Concise Opening: Start with a clear, direct response to the question. Support with Details: Provide brief, relevant examples or details to support your answer. Recheck Alignment: Ensure your response aligns with the question's intent. Final Review: Give a final read to catch any overlooked mistakes.
A good summary is leading to a great meeting. Seal your response with a summary and understanding check. Restate your key point, connecting it to your presentation. Strengthen your message and enhance recall. Ask if your reply was clear and valuable, welcoming input and follow-ups. Demonstrates your respect for engagement and willingness to learn. In sales, we use the Pharrot-phrase method to make sure that we understand but also to establish a great connection with the audience.
The final tip is to practice and improve your question-answering skills. You can seek feedback from your peers, mentors, or coaches, and ask them to evaluate your answers on criteria such as clarity, relevance, detail, and conciseness. You can also record yourself answering questions, and review your performance and identify areas for improvement. You can also watch and learn from other speakers who are good at answering questions, and emulate their techniques and strategies.
Improving your ability to answer questions smartly involves a multifaceted approach. Firstly, enhance your active listening skills by paying close attention to both the content and context of the question. This enables you to grasp the question's intent fully, ensuring your response directly addresses it. Secondly, practice concise communication. Prioritize clarity and relevance in your answers, avoiding unnecessary jargon or verbosity. The more you know, the better equipped you are to provide informed and intelligent answers. By honing these skills and approaches, you'll consistently improve your ability to answer questions in a smarter and more effective manner.
What I have found to be useful when I had found it difficult to summarise something concisely was to write it in full length first, take a step back and then start cutting off the bits that I find to be extra and unnecessary. I definitely found myself improving with this form of practice!
Hone your question-answering finesse. Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or coaches. Evaluate clarity, relevance, detail, and conciseness. Record and review your responses, identifying growth opportunities. Study skilled speakers, adopting their techniques for improvement. Use this to become better. No one is perfect and we can always learn.
Always thank the questioner and always explain that if there is interest you’d be willing to collaborate and discuss further it is particularly useful when all the answers are Not known