Strategies for Handling Difficult Questions

We’ve all been there—the nerves that creep in before a Q&A session, the unexpected curveballs from the audience, and the fear of fumbling a response. But here’s the secret: a Q&A isn’t just about answering questions—it’s an opportunity to shine, connect, and leave a lasting impression. So, how do you make every Q&A session engaging and impactful? Let’s dive into the strategies: 1. Understand Your Audience Preparation begins with knowing who you’re speaking to. What are their interests? What challenges might they face? Tailoring your responses to their needs not only builds trust but also ensures your answers resonate. 2. Anticipate Questions Be proactive, not reactive. Predict the questions your audience might ask, and prepare concise, thoughtful responses in advance. This foresight showcases your expertise and keeps you poised under pressure. 3. Actively Listen Listening is everything. Instead of rushing to respond, pause. Absorb the question fully, nod to show understanding, and take a moment to craft a response. Thoughtfulness always trumps speed. 4. Be Concise We’ve all heard overly long, winding answers that lose their point halfway through. Stay clear and direct. A focused answer is not only easier to deliver but also more memorable for your audience. 5. Connect Back to Your Message Every question is an opportunity to reinforce your core message. Whether it’s your big idea, a call to action, or the heart of your story—tie it back. Your audience will leave with a stronger impression of what you stand for. It’s not just about answering—it’s about engaging, connecting, and leaving an impact. Want to take your speaking game to the next level? As a TEDx coach and public speaking trainer, I’ve helped countless speakers turn their Q&A moments into unforgettable highlights. Let’s connect, and I’ll help you do the same! What’s your go-to strategy for handling tricky questions? Share your tips below!

A couple of weeks ago one of the tech VPs I work with asked me to send him some articles on how to deal with "curve balls" in a presentation and/or larger meetings. We got to talk about it in more detail yesterday in our coaching session. Here's the list we came up with together that I refined a bit: 1) PRACTICE: Before a preso, we are usually trained to practice going through the PPT slides out loud. Keep doing that, and more importantly, practice "thinking on your feet" with hard questions. Ask your coach (or a teammate, or your boss, or your exec comms person) to pepper you with questions. Start with questions you come up with and then ask your conversation partner to riff a bit and make it hard, on purpose. 2) MINDSET: Come into the preso calm and your mind free. Usually, if you're prepared, it's easier to be calm; however, if you practice breathing before and during, it sure helps. 3) CREATE SPACE: Use transitional phrases to give you time and space to think. Here are a few: "Great question,” “Thanks for the question,” or "Please give me a bit more context regarding _____." 4) 1, 2, 3: The very best advice we have is to enumerate your response. This demonstrates clarity of thought and helps the audience focus. You can start with a transitional sentence: "I have two ideas on that...first...second..." 5) WIT: Respond to questions with wit/humor. You don't have to be "haha" funny. Instead, try to be "aha" funny with a quick response or even a self-deprecating quip...sometimes. 6) DON'T KNOW: Admit you don’t know the answer and say when you will get back to the questioner. That might be 5 minutes later if you have colleagues with you who know the answer or can look something up. Or it might be two days from now; it's ok to punt...sometimes. 7) DEBRIEF: Many Zoom meetings are recorded. Go back and look at the instances you had to be quick on your feet. How did you do? By no means is this an exhaustive list, but it's a good one. How do YOU best deal with "curve balls"? ----- Want to learn more about "thinking on your feet"? If you're a Director+, consider enrolling in “Cracking the C-suite,” March 8-9, with Ethan Evans and me. We would love for you to join us: https://buff.ly/4gvVQuQ ----- Want to chat more about a leadership dilemma you have or questions about the course? https://lnkd.in/gvaJrMVY

Every SE knows this moment. You’re mid-demo and a prospect hits you with a tough question. The rookie move: Dance around it. Change the subject. Hope they forget. The pro move: Lean into it. Here’s what works for me. Be honest if you don’t know. It builds more trust than pretending. Flip it back: “That’s a great question. How are you handling this today?” And if you promise to follow up, actually do it. Quickly. Tough questions aren’t deal killers. Handled the right way, they’re what make you credible.