Your team member hijacks the presentation midway. How will you reclaim control and keep the audience engaged?

Imagine you're delivering a key presentation and suddenly, a team member takes over, veering off-script. It's a challenging moment that tests your public speaking skills. The key to regaining control and keeping your audience engaged is to navigate this situation with tact and assertiveness. You must steer the presentation back on course without causing a scene or alienating your colleague. With a few strategic moves, you can reclaim the floor and ensure your message resonates with the audience.

1 Stay Calm

When your colleague unexpectedly takes the reins, it's crucial to remain calm. Panicking or showing frustration can alienate your audience and undermine your authority. Take deep breaths and maintain a composed demeanor. This poised approach signals to your audience that you're in control, even in unexpected situations. By keeping your cool, you create an environment where you can thoughtfully redirect the conversation back to the planned agenda without escalating tensions.

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Allahrakha Vohra

Security Solutions Expert | Implementing Cutting-Edge Cybersecurity Technologies !! Risk Management & Compliance Expert | Ensuring Businesses Meet Security Standards
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In my opinion, when confronted with an unforeseen transfer of control, it is essential to remain tranquil and composed. Refrain from displaying alarm or irritation, as this can erode your credibility and estrange your audience. Instead, utilize calming techniques, such as deep inhalations, to preserve a serene and collected countenance. This peaceful approach signifies a sense of command and authority, enabling you to smoothly refocus the discussion onto the planned itinerary without exacerbating tensions or undermining the overall discourse. By doing so, you foster a favorable environment for a productive and engaging dialogue, ultimately maintaining the integrity of your presentation.

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2 Signal Discreetly

To reclaim control without disrupting the flow, use discreet signals to communicate with your team member. This could be a pre-arranged gesture or a subtle cue that only your team recognizes. The goal is to alert your colleague that it's time to hand the presentation back to you without the audience catching on to any internal discord. This tactic maintains the professionalism of the presentation and ensures a smooth transition of control.

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3 Interject Politely

If discreet signals don't work, you may need to interject politely. Wait for a natural pause or the end of a thought, then use your colleague's name and express appreciation for their input before steering the conversation back on track. This approach acknowledges their contribution while clearly indicating that it's time for you to resume the presentation. The audience will perceive this as a collaborative exchange rather than a power struggle.

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4 Redirect Focus

Once you have the floor again, redirect the focus of the presentation by summarizing the key points covered by your colleague and linking them back to your original agenda. This technique not only regains control but also demonstrates your expertise and leadership. It helps to keep the audience engaged by reinforcing the relevance of what was said and how it fits into the broader context of your presentation.

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5 Engage the Audience

Engaging the audience is an effective way to regain control and keep them focused on your message. Ask questions, encourage participation, or relate the discussion back to the audience's interests. This interactive approach not only draws attention back to you but also re-establishes a connection with the audience, making them more invested in your presentation. It shifts the dynamic from a potential disruption back to an informative and engaging session.

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Kathrina Peters, PhD, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Life Coach
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Inherent in this step is recognition of whether there is an energy shift in the audience. In other words, does the audience signal that they are more interested in what the colleague is sharing, than what I, as the primary presenter, had planned for? The goal of public speaking is not to forge ahead with a presentation, simply because you spent time preparing it. The goal is leave the audience walking away feeling that they received information that was valuable to them. Yes, hijacking someone else’s presentation is problematic, but the audience is the “customer,” so sometimes it’s prudent to exercise a little humility, and go with what the audience is signaling. Go with the flow, then have a conversation with your colleague later.

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6 Conclude Strongly

To solidify your regained control, conclude your segment of the presentation with confidence. Recap the main points, emphasizing the takeaways you want the audience to remember. A strong conclusion reinforces your message and leaves a lasting impression, ensuring that any mid-presentation hiccups are overshadowed by the value of the content you've delivered. A memorable closing statement can be particularly powerful in refocusing the audience's attention and ending on a high note.

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Your team member hijacks the presentation midway. How will you reclaim control and keep the audience engaged?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Stay Calm

2 Signal Discreetly

3 Interject Politely

4 Redirect Focus

5 Engage the Audience

6 Conclude Strongly

Public Speaking

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Your team member hijacks the presentation midway. How will you reclaim control and keep the audience engaged?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Stay Calm

2 Signal Discreetly

3 Interject Politely

4 Redirect Focus

5 Engage the Audience

6 Conclude Strongly

Public Speaking

Rate this article

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