Techniques to Handle Difficult   People as a Speaker

Thu May 25, 2023

Techniques to Handle Difficult People as a Speaker.

Speaking to demanding audiences can be difficult, but there are a number of useful strategies you can use. Here are some techniques for handling challenging people during presentations:

1. Remain collected and calm

Keep your cool and show a composed, self-assured demeanour. This could ease tension and foster a happier atmosphere. 

2. Active listening

Pay close attention to the other person's questions or concerns without interjecting. Show them that you care about their opinions, even if they are critical or challenging, by demonstrating your empathy. 

 3. Empower via participation

Engage the challenging person by include them in the presentation to empower them. Request their thoughts or perceptions on various subjects. By doing so, they may feel appreciated and be less prone to interfere with the presentation. 

 4. Define limits clearly

Before you begin your presentation, lay out expectations for audience behaviour. Make it clear that interruptions and rude behaviour won't be accepted. 

 5. Directly address concerns

If a challenging person brings up a legitimate concern or query, answer it in a straightforward and honest manner. Consider their viewpoint before responding carefully. Potential conflicts may be avoided by doing this. 

 6. Redirect the topic of discussion:

Gently refocus the discourse on the main issue if a difficult person is taking over the conversation or derailing the presentation. Thank them formally for their opinion before moving on to the next idea. 

 7. Use humour strategically

Using the right humour can help to defuse tense situations and lighten the mood. But be careful not to make jokes or use sarcasm that could make things worse. 

 8. Get the crowd involved

To foster a more welcoming atmosphere, encourage audience participation from everyone. This may serve to deflect focus from the challenging situation. 

 9. Ask for help if it's needed

If the situation becomes out of control or could be dangerous, think about involving event organisers or security staff to handle the situation properly and protect everyone's safety. 

10. Reflect and learn

After the presentation, think back on the experience and assess whether your communication and presentation abilities may use any work. You can improve as a speaker by learning from difficult situations.

Manish Jain
CEO & Founder of Satkar Software Solution Pvt. Ltd. | Public Speaking & Networking Coach| Corporate Trainer.

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