I was recently in a large group of people watching a presentation. At the end of the presentation they asked for questions and a fair number of people raised their hands. One after another the presenter called on the audience members and they asked their questions. But these weren’t just questions, they were some of the dumbest questions I have ever heard. The audience members asked questions that had nothing to do with the topic and weren’t part of the presenters expertise. It seemed like they were asking these random questions just to hear themselves speak.
This presentation got me thinking about how you can ask a great question in a presentation and here is what I have come up with:
1. Ask a question that aligns with the presenters expertise- Just because a presenter works for a specific company doesn’t mean that they know the answer to every question related to the company. Use what the presenter has told you in their presentation to try and understand their expertise and then ask a question that aligns directly with it.
2. Ask a question that you know at least 2 other people in the audience will benefit from hearing the answer to- If you are the only person in the entire audience who will benefit from the answer to your question you should wait to ask it. Presenters always hang around after their presentations so there should be ample time for you to ask a question that is specific to you or your experience.
3. Listen to the answer and hold your follow-up question until the end- You asked a question so at least be polite enough to listen to the answer. If you have a follow-up question save it for the end so that other people have a chance to ask their questions.
I know this advice is nothing new, but it’s always great to have a reminder on how to ask a question that matters! What do you think is the best way to ask a question that matters?
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I think listening to a response, a FULL response, before offering up YOUR response is key. Seems ridiculously simple but it’s often the hardest part, being able to bite your lip, especially when it’s something you’re really opinionated about – it’s tough but if you’re trying to have a REAL conversation, maybe even learn something, it’s a must.
Hope you’re doing well, Blake. We need to catch up soon!