Not everyone wants to field questions during or after a presentation, especially if the topic is controversial, such as a change in safety procedures. Sometimes a question-and-answer session – provided it\u2019s handled properly – is the most effective way to encourage participation and engagement in your safety efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, a question period is a good way to ensure that you do know your stuff (and even if you don\u2019t, there\u2019s no loss of credibility if you\u2019re able to say, \u201cI don\u2019t know the answer to that one, but I\u2019ll find out for you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1<\/strong><\/em>. Prepare a list of likely questions in advance – <\/em><\/strong> Don\u2019t be afraid to \u201drehearse\u201d your answers aloud. And make sure you\u2019ve got the data to back them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2<\/em><\/strong>. Ask for clarification if needed –<\/strong><\/em> Remember that not all questions are asked in order to get information or clarification. Sometimes people ask them to be spiteful, annoying or just to hear themselves talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Be direct –<\/strong><\/em> Try to be diplomatic with your response; encourage short questions and discourage drawn-out debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Summarize –<\/em><\/strong> Conclude the question period with a summary of your topic and a reminder of what actions, if any, are to be taken by participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Discuss expectations – <\/em><\/strong>Let your audience know beforehand if it\u2019s all right to ask questions during your presentation. Also make sure to indicate whether you\u2019ll welcome questions later. This gives people a chance to think about what they\u2019ll ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.Guidelines –<\/em><\/strong> Explain clearly the guidelines for questions, including how much time will be allotted for them and that they must stick to the topic being discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps you\u2019ve spoken too long. This can be a question-killer. Or perhaps you haven\u2019t convinced your audience that it is safe to ask a question\u2014that there will be no ridicule, no rudeness and no sarcasm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try starting things off by asking yourself a tough one. It alerts the audience that tough questions are okay, and it often elicits questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try a little humor. Sometimes simple statements such as, \u201cWow, I must have given a perfect presentation\u201d will loosen things up enough to give someone the nerve to ask the first question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, avoid distracting gestures. Don\u2019t show by mannerisms or expressions what you think of the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, maintain eye contact. The question deserves your full attention. Be cordial. Be open. Be patient. And never, ever convey that the person asked what you thought was a dumb question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Not everyone wants to field questions during or after a presentation, especially if the topic is controversial, such as a change in safety procedures. Sometimes a question-and-answer session – provided it’s handled properly – is the most effective way to encourage participation and engagement in your safety efforts. In fact, a question period is a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[143],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safety-tips"],"yoast_head":"\nSo, what happens if you want to encourage questions but the audience just sits there in stony silence?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Once the questions start coming, a good speaker should become a good listener:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n