Responding To Difficult Questions Questions From an Audiance or at a Meeting.

Responding To Questions

1. Take a deep, cleansing breath and say to yourself, “I will get through this.” Ask yourself, “How can I best serve the attendees?”
2. Use Positive Body Language

·         Keep your head turned towards the group.

·         Keep your arms and hands open and your palms exposed.

·         Maintain eye contact when listening. 

·         You can break and move away when responding to a question if the person is offensive.  You can even change the "game" by sitting down on the edge of a table of pulling up a stool or chair and addressing the entire group in conversation to take the feeling of being challenged out of difficult person.
 

3. If you don’t like the questions don’t say, “Good Question.” That rewards the person and he or she may ask you more "bad" questions.  If you need to say, "the short answer is...." or "That is a question that deserves and needs a long conversation where I can personalize  the answer for your needs and or "I an answer that, but Rather than take up the time of the rest of the group with that long answer for just you now  I would love to speak to you at length when we finish today or set up a time this week to talk.  we can talk about it at length." "Does that work for you?"
4. If you are challenged by a question or a person, make sure to clear your face of negative expressions and if you can smile! Don’t go to war with them. Remain neutral.
5. Use the entire space and touch if it is appropriate.

Patti Wood MA, CSP

Body Language Expert

Patti@PattiWood.net

http://www.pattiwood.net/presentation.asp

Well known in the media from her TV, magazine, newspaper and online publications interviews, body language expert Patti Wood is a CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) and a member of NSA, The National Speakers Association.

"Patti Wood is the Babe Ruth of body language experts, the gold standard of body language experts, the capo di tutti capi of body language experts." -Washington Post

Patti Wood, CSP, holds a B.A. and MA in body language and is a high energy, interactive, professional speaker, trainer and media expert.  She has been on hundreds of TV shows and has been quoted in more than seven hundred publications.  She is also the author of seven books on communication including her recent book, SNAP- Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma. If you are looking for a smart savvy body language expert, and experienced speaker, email her today at patti@Pattiwood.net.