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Use the ASK Technique During Your Next Q&A Session
There are many strategies that work when you are having a question
and answer session. I have a little mnemonic that can help you
remember three simple tips.
A-Assume there will be questions.
Now this may seem absurd. Someone is probably saying, “If
I did not assume there were going to be questions I wouldn’t
ask, “are there ant questions?” As Spock on Star Trek
would say, that sounds illogical. But actually there is some logic
to that statement. Consider the following points:
- The question many presenters ask is “Are there
any questions.” This closed ended question can
often shut down rather than open your audience to ask questions.
How? So often by the time this question is asked it is close
to a break, lunch or end of the workshop.
If the presenter looks at his or her watch, arranges papers or
any thing that signals that there is not much time for questions,
the audience may not ask any questions.
I prefer the open-ended question What questions do you
have? This question is asked while using a probing
eye scan on the audience and a short pause for response. Your
entire body shows that you assume there will be questions and
you welcome them.
- ASSUME that some in your audience may be anxious, fearful or
shy about asking a question in front of the entire group. This
may be due to a host of personal concerns. The concerns can range
from their perceptions about the audience’s perception
of them to their concerns about the correct wording of their
question.
As a result, we can help make the process easier by addressing
some of the concerns. You could say:
“I know that many of you may not want to ask questions
now because you may still be trying to form it in your mind. Take
a few minutes to think about a question and share it with us.”
Or, “Some of you may think your question is not worth
asking. But please know that I expect you to have a question and
if it is important to you it just might be important to someone
else. So, What questions do you have?”
Another thing you could do is to create time in the schedule for
a group of 2-4 people to generate questions. There is always comfort
in numbers.
S-Sum Up
Take a few minutes before inviting questions to use summary techniques.
Whatever activity you use to summarize what you have covered in
your presentation should be used now.
For example, I often give out a prize to everyone who shares something
they have learned. I may briefly comment on those points as I continue
listening to each person in the room.
When you sum up the points made in your presentation it gives
the audience an opportunity to reflect on more questions they may
have. Some people may ask a question while you are doing the summary.
But if you do answer at that time it is important to go back to
the summary points you were making.
K-Keep Focused
This is probably the most challenging tip. It is hard to stay
focused when someone asks a question that has nothing to do with
the material you have presented. My suggestion is always communicate
that fact to your questioner. Let the person know that it may be
material that will be covered later or in another workshop. However,
do communicate the fact that the person’s question will be
addressed.
There also may be times that you, the presenter, will digress.
This especially happens if someone taps into something you are
passionate about. I am not saying that you should not digress from
your topic. But communicate or ask permission from your audience
before you do. For example, if someone asks a question about gardening
and you digress to answer the question with your views on the cars
used to transport gardening materials, you must assess for yourself
if this is really answering the question.
If and when I go away from the main focus of the question I ask
the questioner, “Did I answer your question?”
The bottom line is you never want to sound like a space traveler.
Stay focused with your answers.
When you use the ASK technique you will have a dynamic Q&A
session.
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