How do you handle audience questions that catch you off guard?

1. 'This is an interesting question which might need more my attention. Do you mind taking this conversation offline?' 2. 'Wow! Thank you for sharing this new insight with me. This is the reason why I love speaking at conferences. Because I get to learn so many new things from the audience.' The best way to answer these questions is to prepare in advance 2-4 responses that you can use incase the situation arises. Remeber: The most learnt person is the one who knows that he/she doesn't know everything, so, Depending on the question, It is completely fine to ask for more time, or say 'wow, this is new for me. But, Thanks to you, I learnt something interesting today'.

Be fluid in you presentation. If you are prepared in your knowledge in a given subject area, and understand that an audience is comprised of people that are individuals, including those who will treat your presentation as a comic show, then you can respond accordingly. In other words, don’t compromise your stance on your argument, convictions, and noteworthiness of the material; adjust your reaction time and personal attention. There will be those who are there to learn, but sometimes they cannot see past their passive aggressive comments and/or attitudes. This is reality. And because we all have these actions both inside and outside of the arena, it is important to immediately address these contrary actions, albeit using tactfulness.

We are humans, we may not know everything about a subject. Be honest while responding to a question. It is so simple! Best way to build trust is to be honest.

People want to see themselves in the stories speakers share during presentations. Knowing the common human dilemmas is not enough. Great speakers know the dilemmas unique to their audience and craft their message and stories accordingly. Data and slides don’t connect, stories that related specifically to that particular audience do. Plus it is a way to demonstrate that you value the opportunity by doing the prep work.

Two thoughts come to mind: that is an excellent question but will take more time to answer than we have, might we talk afterwards? say ' this is why I love events like this - I love the back and forward, the different perspectives, the challenge. Let's talk afterwards - that is an interesting perspective and I would love to talk more about. Its a point I have not considered but would love to chat more to see if I need to adjust my position or not.

My friend Vishnu Hurukat once told me that it is good to give 90% of the information you want to present in your presentation and keep the rest 10% for Q&A. Because it is good to use the amazing stories, insights and information that you have worked so hard on for Q&A because these answers would be better than the impromptu responses that we come up with

There is a lot of information already available now. With AI and google search, enriching our thoughts has become much easier. Even when you are in a hurry, you can prepare yourself in minutes.

It's natural to feel a bit taken off guard by unexpected questions, no matter how well you have prepared. However, remember to stay focused and maintain your composure. Feel free to smile and acknowledge that the question the attendee asked was outstanding. Although you may not have all the answers at the particular moment, ask them to meet with you after the event, exchange contact details, and ensure you will get the answer they are looking for.

Being able to handle the Q& A section of a talk is a true mark of an expert. Know your stuff so you can engage fully in the Q&A segment. Also, speak in memorable sound bites so the audience has takeaways.

Additionally, using a mirror is a great way to see how you are acting and reacting to your material. Seeing even the smallest nuances on one’s face, one can reprogram, if you will, facial impressions. Actors do this to see how the movie viewer sees the characters portrayed. We often do not see ourselves like others see us, so it is important to be aware of these factors. Tape recording the voice can also help adjust cadence, breath control, inflection, and tone of the material being given.

Despite the credentials, experience and accomplishments no one knows everything. So don’t take yourself too seriously. There are questions meant to challenge the speaker and those could be acknowledged then ignored. But not knowing the answer and simply admitting it makes the speaker honest and therefore more credible. The answer may come later after some research (be sure to follow up) or the question may not need answering after all. Always smile, pause, take a deep breath and continue. Good notes really help in case you get distracted.

As a former school guidance counselor, it was vitally important to be in the moment with the person. Similarly, being in the moment with the audience as a whole or one on one when someone asks a question is paramount to finding a common ground in the subject area and experience as a whole. As both people are engaged in the experience, objective subjectiveness as I like to call it helps to both let the question asker feel rewarded and special in the moment, and the speaker to guide the questions with respect and sincerity.

There is nothing wrong with saying you don’t know something and that their question made you curious. You can offer to connect, research the answe, and get back to them.

I agree with Beth, admit when you don't know something rather than try to bluff your answer. I tend to be curious so I often say something like, "That's an interesting perspective. While I haven't encountered this before, it sounds like you might have. What have you discovered or learned about this topic?" If they still insist on an answer from me, I tell them that I will do some research of my own and reach out to them later.

Great question! We are all human. We don't know the answers to every question. People in the audience will appreciate that you are human, too.

In my experience, over explaining an answer can lend itself to others questioning the validity of the facts and examples given. Stories can be very useful, but concise and on point is the rule of the day. Vulnerability is key, no matter what is being presented, and engaging other audience members to answer the questions releases pressure from the speaker, allowing for a comprehensive event experience.

You audience will take their confidence from yours. If you sound hesitant and unsure, then your audience will sense that and may doubt what you say. You are an expert - deliver like an expert.

It's common for speakers and attendees at conferences to encounter unexpected questions that can be challenging to address on the spot. These experiences often underscore the importance of preparation, not only about the subject matter but also in anticipating potential questions and objections. Techniques like pausing to gather thoughts, acknowledging the question's complexity, and offering to follow up afterward can help maintain composure and credibility. Such situations also serve as valuable learning opportunities to refine communication skills and deepen subject matter expertise for future engagements.