Richard@DecisionSkills wrote:frydways wrote:Richard, what are your techniques to handle those situations?
-1- I greet and interact with people as the room fills. I mingle and ask questions, make a few connections. This gives me some go to people that will usually be more engaged.
-2- With tough questions, my technique is simple. Be okay with saying, "I don't know." You can follow that up with, "great question, let me look into it and if you want to give me your information I will get back to you."
-3- For any heckler, which I have never had, but maybe a "joker", I laugh and am self-deprecating. Laugh, give them credit for a good one and move on.
Hey Richard,
Great tips for handling tough questions!
You can also try to
"Bounce back" the question to the person by asking "What do you think?". Usually when a person asks a question they already have some sort of opinion on the topic that they want to compare with your opinion. By bouncing the question back to them you give them the space to share their opinion. If they still need more information, you can bounce the question back to the rest of the room and get more opinions. This should buy you enough time to form your own opinion, so you can share with them.
If you still do not have one, then I would do what you suggested in step 2
This is of course relevant to questions regarding opinions not facts
Cheers,
Nick