What to Do When an Audience Member Disagrees

What to Do When an Audience Member Disagrees
With You During Your Speech
                                                              
                                                               By Mike Moore

Some people enjoy drawing attention to themselves by trying to
trip you up on a fact or statistic during your presentation. A
few will find something you say threatening to their secure
view of the universe and want you to know that “ You are dead
wrong!!” When this happens it is important to remember that
you won’t be able to please everyone in your audience and you
shouldn’t try.   I personally feel that if I don’t say
something that afflicts the comfortable I’m not really doing
my job effectively.

Here is how you minimize the possibility of an verbal attack
coming from a member of your audience who is hell bent to show
you the error of your ways.  And it works extremely well most
of the time. Yes, there are people who only hear what they
want to hear and are just waiting for a chance to make
themselves look cleaver by making you look foolish.

Here is what I say before I begin...
“ I’m here to share with you my thoughts and opinions on
(_________________). If I say something that rings true for
you file it away for further consideration. If  you disagree
with one of my ideas or opinions that’s fine. Just dismiss it
as the musing of a misguided soul. You might just want to take
what rings true and disregard the rest.  I am here to invite
you to consider what I have to say. You must decide whether
you will consume it whole or spit some of it out.”

This usually works for me but once in awhile you get someone
who is so attached to their perception of reality that there
is no room for an opposing opinion. Any disagreement is viewed
as a total violation of all they whole sacred. This is sad,
but true.

I believe that the search for truth is cumulative. When my
perception of truth is added to yours then we come closer to
THE truth. No one has a monopoly on truth or wisdom or insight.
If someone challenges you while you’re giving your talk and
they begin to interfere with the flow of the presentation just
say in a very calm voice, “ I would love to give more time to
your ideas but I only have an hour to give my speech. If you
see me at coffee break I will introduce you to the meeting
planners and perhaps you can talk to them about hiring you to
present at next year’s conference.”  This always solves the
problem.

In  conclusion I want to say that this situation arises very
seldom, but it does arise. When it does I hope these ideas are
as  helpful to you as they are to me.

Continue to learn the business of profitable speaking.
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?5000

Mike Moore is an international speaker on Humor in the
Workplace, Humor and Stress and Humor and Human Potential. His
articles and cartoons have appeared in publications throughout
the world.
http://www.motivationalplus.com/