Learn six strategies to deal with questions that are meant to undermine, challenge, or embarrass you in public speaking. Boost your confidence and credibility with these tips.

This is very important. There have been several times when I’ve testified before state legislatures and not known the answer to a senator or representative’s question off-hand even after preparing as much as possible. When this has happened, I’ve been very honest and said, “I do not know the answer to that but will find out and then follow up with you directly.” Not once has that elicited a negative reply and even if it did, unless the question was truly obvious and important for me to already have known, it would reflect more poorly on the questioner than me if they did respond harshly. Of course, be sure to follow up after.

How can you handle questions designed to trip you up in public speaking?

Public speaking can be challenging enough without having to deal with questions that are meant to undermine your credibility, challenge your arguments, or embarrass you. However, you can handle these questions with confidence and grace if you follow some simple strategies. Here are six tips to help you deal with questions designed to trip you up in public speaking.

1 Know your audience

Before you deliver your speech, do some research on your audience and their expectations, interests, and potential objections. This will help you anticipate the type of questions they might ask and prepare your responses accordingly. You can also use your audience analysis to tailor your speech to their needs and preferences, which will increase your rapport and credibility.

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Zein AH Ghanma

Executive Speaker Coach| I help leaders build powerful presence, drawing on over 20 years of experience in public speaking, communication, and executive coaching| Contributor to Bookboon Expert Talks.
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The usual complaint I hear when coaching professionals in public speaking is: "I don’t have time to practice." In fact, every moment you are with someone is an opportunity to practice. So, start practising the moment you wake up for your polished skills to become a way of life. What you’d be doing is replacing an old, ineffective habit with a new and effective one. So get to know yourself! Develop self-awareness by monitoring how you carry yourself, move, breathe, speak, and interact with people. Start adjusting your behaviour. Before you know it, you will be the person you want to be, and you will be your authentic YOU when in public. As the British author George Eliot said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

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2 Prepare for common questions

Some questions are likely to come up in any public speaking situation, such as clarifying your main points, providing evidence, or explaining the implications of your message. You can prepare for these questions by reviewing your speech outline, rehearsing your answers, and having some relevant examples or statistics ready. You can also prepare for some specific questions that are related to your topic, especially if you know there are some controversial or sensitive issues involved.

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3 Listen carefully

When someone asks you a question, listen carefully and attentively, without interrupting or jumping to conclusions. This will show respect and professionalism, and also help you understand the question and the intention behind it. Sometimes, questions are not designed to trip you up, but to express genuine curiosity, confusion, or disagreement. By listening carefully, you can identify the type of question and the level of difficulty, and respond accordingly.

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4 Acknowledge and restate

After listening to the question, acknowledge it by thanking the person for asking it, and restate it in your own words to make sure you understood it correctly. This will buy you some time to think of an answer, and also help you clarify the question and avoid any misunderstandings. If the question is unclear, vague, or too broad, you can ask the person to rephrase it or be more specific.

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5 Answer honestly and concisely

Once you have restated the question, answer it honestly and concisely, without rambling, evading, or making up information. If you know the answer, give it with confidence and support it with evidence or examples. If you don't know the answer, admit it and offer to find out and follow up later. If the question is irrelevant, inappropriate, or hostile, you can politely decline to answer it or redirect it to the main topic.

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Christopher Poulos

Executive Director at Center for Justice and Human Dignity
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This is very important. There have been several times when I’ve testified before state legislatures and not known the answer to a senator or representative’s question off-hand even after preparing as much as possible. When this has happened, I’ve been very honest and said, “I do not know the answer to that but will find out and then follow up with you directly.” Not once has that elicited a negative reply and even if it did, unless the question was truly obvious and important for me to already have known, it would reflect more poorly on the questioner than me if they did respond harshly. Of course, be sure to follow up after.

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6 Engage and follow up

After answering the question, engage with the person who asked it by asking them if they are satisfied with your answer, or if they have any further questions or comments. This will show that you value their input and feedback, and also help you gauge their reaction and attitude. You can also follow up with the rest of the audience by summarizing your answer and linking it back to your main message or purpose.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Zein AH Ghanma

Executive Speaker Coach| I help leaders build powerful presence, drawing on over 20 years of experience in public speaking, communication, and executive coaching| Contributor to Bookboon Expert Talks.
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What I learned from Theater is presence. Not moving unnecessarily or fidgeting, just looking somebody in the eye and focusing. Instead of being consumed with myself, I engage with others. Instead of wondering what to do with my hands and if I should move, I focus outside of myself, listen and absorb what’s happening then react. That’s how presence is achieved. When you listen, you know what to say next and how to react. This translates very well when speaking in public. You need to focus outside yourself. Focus on your audience and their needs, then proceed to fulfil these needs. When your task with them is clear, you can affect them. Listen, empathise, get to know them and they will feel your presence.

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How can you handle questions designed to trip you up in public speaking?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your audience

2 Prepare for common questions

3 Listen carefully

4 Acknowledge and restate

5 Answer honestly and concisely

6 Engage and follow up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Public Speaking

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How can you handle questions designed to trip you up in public speaking?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know your audience

2 Prepare for common questions

3 Listen carefully

4 Acknowledge and restate

5 Answer honestly and concisely

6 Engage and follow up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Public Speaking

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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