How to answer a difficult question? MS Dhoni Style
The Situation
How many of you follow the game of cricket? Cricket is hugely popular sport in England, India and other former British colonies.
Team India, just got crashed out of the world cup T20 cricket tournament. Right after the loss, team captain MS Dhoni was at the podium answering the media.
The Question
Sam Ferris, a writer for cricket.com.au asked this question to MS Dhoni:
"You've achieved pretty much everything in cricket, are you keen to continue playing on?"
For the record, Sam never asked if MS Dhoni was going to retire. MS Dhoni's team just got knocked out of the tournament, where they were the favorites to win the title. My impression is that Sam fired a wrong question at a wrong time.
The Answer
MS Dhoni smiles and asks Sam to repeat the question. Sam asks again and instead of an answer Sam gets an invitation from MS Dhoni to join him on stage.
After some hesitation, Sam walks and sits next to MS Dhoni. Here is the exchange between MS Dhoni and Sam Ferris at the podium:
MS Dhoni: "You want me to retire?", putting his right arm around Sam.
Sam: "No, I don't. I was just asking."
MS Dhoni: "I was hoping it was an Indian media guy because I can't really say if you have a brother or a son who can play for India as a keeper".
MS Dhoni: "Do you think I am unfit?"
Sam: "No".
MS Dhoni: "Have you looked at me running?"
Sam: "Very fast".
MS Dhoni: "Do you think I can survive till the 2019 World Cup?"
Sam: "Sure, yes, sure."
MS Dhoni: "Then you've answered the question"
The whole media room was filled with laughter!
Here is the YouTube video, if you're curious:
Takeaways
Have you ever experienced this? put on the spot to answer a question that you didn't want to answer?
Here are my takeaways from MS Dhoni and Sam Ferris exchange:
- Understand the question - Ask to repeat until you get it
- Don't answer - Because you don't want to
- Turn the table - You question the original questioner
- Let the questioner get his/her own answer through your questions
- Use humor all around - Why not make it fun?
What's your take on MS Dhoni's approach here? Tell Me...
I'd love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts in the commentary section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.
PS - Have we met yet? First, thanks for reading this article! I'm passionate about people, the power of human capital, technology, and much more. I invite you to click the like button below and share, if you enjoyed reading this post.
Plant Human Resources Manager at Gabriel India Limited
8 年Witty!
Deputy General Manager - Business Strategy Planning & execution at Tata Communications
8 年The presence of mind and right question at the right time mattered (by MSD).
GM Sales - GT: Kwick Living (I) Pvt Ltd - Brand: BECO (Ex Eveready Henkel Cavinkare Frooti Rasna Storia)
8 年Times, attitude and mid-sets have changed over the past decade. It's no surprise Sam got a high tech reply to a dinosaur question. Cannot brood over split milk, only one winner. Need to realise everyone plays to win and to lose and retire. So it's best that gamesmanship & patience rules over the dinosaur age of thinking. Be passionate about your work and game encourage instead of demotivating.
Seasoned Human Capital Expert ? Championing Performance Excellence and Organizational Development
8 年I wish so too. You're most welcome and keep writing J B., MS, MSPPM