The Un-Planned question - the impromtu - throws the best of us, but what are the toughest situations you find yourself confronted with?
Professionals in all areas are called on to communicate and present, much of their success is determined by the skill with which you get ideas across. It is one thing to have time to prepare, but when you are put on the spot even the best can stumble. I am curious as to what un-planned presentation situations do you find the most frustrating or intimidating and why.
Answers (5)
Kare A
ceo at Say it Better Center, LLC
Best Answers in: Customer Relationship Management (1), Business Plans (1)
When an audience member is smart, articulate, relentless and openly hostile to my topic and to me as the apparent representative of a company he hated. I was there to speak to that company's clients, including him. Only happened once, yet the person's relentlessness finally turned the audience against him. It was the perfect storm of bad possibilities, I finally asked the audience what they would like to happen next. And they booed him. That eight minutes seemed like 30. I did not feel as calm as i looked, at least as I looked to those in the last rows in the ballroom.
James W
Business Development
Best Answers in: Advertising (2), Business Development (2), Public Relations (2), Organizational Development (2), Using LinkedIn (2), Education and Schools (1), Job Search (1), Corporate Debt (1), Lead Generation (1), Sales Techniques (1), Writing and Editing (1), Quality Management and Standards (1), Distribution (1), Communication and Public Speaking (1), E-Commerce (1), Computer Networking (1), Web Development (1)
My biggest impromptu challenge has been the sales prospect that learned some buzzwords and although he or she honestly believes they are experts, but really don't know what they are talking about.
I usually ask them to clarify their comments and ask what it means to them. Often times that approach leads into a discussion that completely bypasses that persons misinformation.
Kevin H
Educational Technology at Concordia University
Best Answers in: Change Management (7), Organizational Development (7), Career Management (5), Communication and Public Speaking (5), Using LinkedIn (5), Business Dining and Entertainment (4), Occupational Training (4), Professional Books and Resources (4), Staffing and Recruiting (3), Business Development (3), Web Development (3), Travel Tools (2), Job Search (2), Mentoring (2), Event Marketing and Promotions (2), Public Relations (2), Project Management (2), Quality Management and Standards (2), Ethics (2), Software Development (2), Customer Service (1), Air Travel (1), Education and Schools (1), Certification and Licenses (1), Government Services (1), Compensation and Benefits (1), Internationalization and Localization (1), Treaties, Agreements and Organizations (1), Sales Techniques (1), Writing and Editing (1), Labor Relations (1), Planning (1), Non-profit Management (1), Wealth Management (1), Small Business (1), E-Commerce (1), Computers and Software (1), Information Security (1), Wireless (1)
...when the audience assumes that you ARE the company rather than a representative of the company, and so speaks to (or yells at) you with that assumption in mind.
Another very difficult situation is when the audience is loaded with myths - there was a thread about Bill Gates crashing windows, and having other difficulties, for example - that are propagated, reinforced, but rarely questioned, and then used as ammunition toward the speaker-who-is-the-company.
I've done enough presentations with enough hecklers to know how to use their energy, anger, and really, their passion to make a better show, but it's never fun at the beginning.
I've done a number of presentations both internally and externally. I welcome the impromptu for several reasons; the presentation becomes more genuine and compelling. It also forces me to think on my feet. Although presenting is the dissemination of knowledge, I love to learn and grow.
The most frustrating scenario is encountering the “seminar heckler” who is there with a personal agenda of trying to discredit the presenter or company that person represents.
Rachel C
Writer & Editor, Educational Software Bids & Proposals, Non-Profit Grants & Funding
Very interesting and thought provoking question . . . and even more interesting responses . . . every last one of them.
There are always going to be areas that we have little knowledge of, or really know nothing about . . . no matter how well educated or how well prepared we are . . . and those invariably will be areas that we are asked to address in public, if only for a fleeting moment in a Q & A. Just knowing that this happens, and happens to the best public speakers, helps those of us who aren't the best be somewhat mentally prepared for the unexpected stumble.
I just take a deep breath and remember that all life is an un-planned presentation. . . . and this is going to make a good story . . .someday!
