Listening, Responding and Returning to Where You Left Off

Presentations can be pretty passive. You talk, the audience listens.

A pitch is very different. If your audience is not interrupting you, asking questions – watch out. That engagement may be the key to winning – so you want it.

But too much of a good thing can be bad. For example, if the clock runs out because of an unplanned line of questions and you haven’t finished your presentation, that’s not good.

So, 3 things to keep in mind (and ideally, practice):

1. When you are interrupted with a question, answer it, OR if it’s a chance to demonstrate your expertise and empathy, maybe take a minute to explore where that question is coming from.

2. But always keep in mind where you are on the clock. Your answers are competing now, for the time remaining, with your completing the presentation. Or assign that timekeeper role (with permission to interrupt you) to a colleague.

3. Whether you use a deck or not, be sure to steer the conversation back to the line and logic of your presentation, so you finish it.

Your audience and your team will thank and respect you for controlling the meeting.

Please leave your own experiences or questions below. Or get in touch for a workshop or rehearsal. Thank you.