Some people enjoy drawing attention to themselves by trying to trip you up on a fact or statistic during your presentation. A few will find something you say threatening to their secure view of the universe and want you to know that " You are dead wrong!!" When this happens it is important to remember that you won't be able to please everyone in your audience and you shouldn't try. I personally feel that if I don't say something that afflicts the comfortable I'm not really doing my job effectively.
Here is how you minimize the possibility of an verbal attack coming from a member of your audience who is hell bent to show you the error of your ways. And it works extremely well most of the time. Yes, there are people who only hear what they want to hear and are just waiting for a chance to make themselves look cleaver by making you look foolish.
Here is what I say before I begin...
" I'm here to share with you my thoughts and opinions on (_________________). If I say something that rings true for you file it away for further consideration. If you disagree with one of my ideas or opinions that's fine. Just dismiss it as the musing of a misguided soul. You might just want to take what rings true and disregard the rest. I am here to invite you to consider what I have to say. You must decide whether you will consume it whole or spit some of it out."
This usually works for me but once in awhile you get someone who is so attached to their perception of reality that there is no room for an opposing opinion. Any disagreement is viewed as a total violation of all they whole sacred. This is sad, but true.
I believe that the search for truth is cumulative. When my perception of truth is added to yours then we come closer to THE truth. No one has a monopoly on truth or wisdom or insight.
If someone challenges you while you're giving your talk and they begin to interfere with the flow of the presentation just say in a very calm voice, " I would love to give more time to your ideas but I only have an hour to give my speech. If you see me at coffee break I will introduce you to the meeting planners and perhaps you can talk to them about hiring you to present at next year's conference." This always solves the problem.
In conclusion I want to say that this situation arises very seldom, but it does arise. When it does I hope these ideas are as helpful to you as they are to me.
View a 5 minute video clip of Mike speaking on Humor and Workplace Stress http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?video
Mike Moore is an international speaker on Humor in the Workplace, Humor and Stress and Humor and Human Potential. His articles and cartoons have appeared in publications throughout the world.
http://www.motivationalplus.com
Most of us get nervous about making a speech, whether... Read More
7 Tips that calm and center you before your presentation:1.... Read More
Does speaking in public leave you tongue-tied? Do you stumble... Read More
1. No speech is ever perfect. Perfectionism creates more fear.... Read More
Aside from fielding and asking questions, there are other ways... Read More
Whether you want to be a part time, full time... Read More
FearOf what am I afraid, you ask. Of myself, I... Read More
Every day millions of people around the world make a... Read More
How do you gain contacts from a speaking engagement?The name... Read More
Speak from your heart. If you believe in what you... Read More
1. Listen to your internal dialog. 2. Visualize a positive... Read More
There are a number of factors that determine how your... Read More
Picture a cool crisp autumn morning in the wide open... Read More
Use your voice to your advantage. One of your main... Read More
You can make a Blue Ribbon presentation each and every... Read More
Every speech has an audience and every audience is different.... Read More
Want to gain added exposure at a trade show? Consider... Read More
Prayer or Meditation: If you're a believer you can pray... Read More
How do you get your name on a speakers list?Speaking... Read More
When we communicate, we usually want something to happen. We... Read More
In elementary school, most of us asked questions which were... Read More
There are a number of questions that we consistently get... Read More
I love the Disney movie The Kid with Bruce Willis.... Read More
The fear of public speaking is one of the most... Read More
1. Learn the speech by heart or read it from... Read More
If you've ever been on stage, doing a talk or... Read More
Your ability to communicate effectively will account for most of... Read More
You know the feeling. Looking out at a sea of... Read More
Last night the phone rang; my wife said, "I hope... Read More
The first time I had to speak in front of... Read More
Every 7 seconds another baby boomer turns 50. What does... Read More
This is one of the hardest things speakers have to... Read More
Entering the speaking industry can be both daunting and exciting.... Read More
I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date. No... Read More
Almost everybody is nervous when they stand up to speak.... Read More
Nearly as dreaded as snakes and spiders, public speaking ranks... Read More
Studies show that your word-power determines your earning power, that... Read More
This Article Is For Those Who Understand How Persuasive Communication,... Read More
As one who does some speech coaching, I have heard... Read More
Take a moment and imagine if you will any one... Read More
During the coffee break of one conference I attended, whispers... Read More
FearOf what am I afraid, you ask. Of myself, I... Read More
What information can be used immediately by the audience and... Read More
Being a guest speaker in front of the right audience... Read More
Public Speaking is a challenging skill. It is TOUGH! For... Read More
1. Learn the speech by heart or read it from... Read More
Two of the top fears of most people are dying... Read More
Most of us get nervous about making a speech, whether... Read More
For many, speaking or training is a full time business.... Read More
I recently posted an article providing tips on public speaking... Read More
I love the Disney movie The Kid with Bruce Willis.... Read More
Having a clear and confident voice is an essential business... Read More
Can you identify what each of these actions or activities... Read More
Every day millions of people around the world make a... Read More
You have probably had the experience of listening to a... Read More
A high level manager contacted me in a panic. He... Read More
Every speech has an audience and every audience is different.... Read More
There's one skill you can develop that will boost your... Read More
One of the biggest regrets of my life is that... Read More
You know, those really important outside groups of people whose... Read More
In the thousands of speeches I've heard very few presenters... Read More
Have you ever worked for weeks or even months, often... Read More
Humans are born storytellers, but our education system doesn't help... Read More
Every 7 seconds another baby boomer turns 50. What does... Read More
"Would you like to say a few words?" How many... Read More
Delivering an effective presentation to 20 or to 200 people... Read More
Public Speaking |