Eight Keys to an Effective Q & A Session

By Craig Valentine

Key 1: Set expectations as to how many questions you will take or how long you will entertain questions. For example, I usually say, We will take 4 or 5 questions and then I will wrap up the message. Or I might say, We have 5 minutes for questions and then we will put a bow on the message for today.

Along with setting expectations, you should also let your audience know that this is not the end. This is why I add and then we will wrap up the message. Otherwise, because audiences are used to most speakers ending with the Q and A, they might think you are at the end, which could prompt them to start packing up their papers and shuffling around in anticipation of leaving. You can solve this by setting the right expectations at the beginning of the Q and A.

Key 2: Do not ask, Do you have any questions? or Are there any questions? People might not respond. Instead, ask, What questions do you have? This is no longer about whether or not they have a question; it is about what questions they have and how many. Questions will flow out if you prompt in an open-ended way rather than using the yes or no question.

Key 3: Rephrase the questions. This accomplishes the following three things:

1.   It affirms the person who asked the question and makes him or her feel understood.

2.  It helps the other audience members understand what was asked because many times the questioner does not have a microphone.

3.  It gives you time to formulate your response.

Key 4: Frame your responses. For example, if it is going to be a 3-part response, let them know. You might say, There are 3 critical strategies you can use. First, second…and finally… This way, even if you do speak a little longer than you want, it will not feel like you are rambling. It will still be a structured response.

Key 5: Make sure your answers are brief. Anticipate what they will ask and prepare for those answers in advance. The longer you take to answer, the quicker they will stop believing you.

Key 6: Try to call on questioners from all 4 major sections of your audience. Call on someone in the front, the back, to the left, and to the right. Make them all feel involved.

Key 7: Acknowledge the importance or validity of the question. I know some speakers say, Do not tell people they asked a good question because then everyone else you did not say that to will get offended. Let them be offended. If somebody gets offended because you praised someone else, that is their personal problem not yours. Occasionally saying, Great question does much more good than harm. However, only say it if you mean it.

Key 8: Occasionally ask, Does that make sense? Do not overdo it, but do use it especially if you are not sure you addressed the person’s question adequately or you read uncertainty on the person’s face (or heard it in the person’s voice). It does not hurt to check.

Final Thoughts

If you incorporate these 8 keys into your question and answer period, you will keep deepening your connection with each response without destroying the flow of your speech.