Tips > Pyramid Principle > This Script Will Guide You Through every Round of Questions

How do you handle questions during your presentation? We offer tips and share insights from our trainings. 

Someone is about to ask a question. Resist the urge to rapidly formulate your answer, even before the questioner has fully articulated their question. Feeling eager and proud that you know the answer, or think you do, can unintentionally give the questioner the unsatisfactory feeling that you do not truly ‘see’ them. So… 

1. Thank the person who raised the question

and possibly repeat the question. Stay calm! You are not playing a tennis match where you mindlessly ‘bounce the ball back’ as quickly as possible… Allow yourself and the questioner the space to ensure you have understood the question (behind the question) correctly. You are truly connecting now. 

Then it is time to… 

2. Explore whether the question resonates with others in the audience 

A great way to turn a potentially exclusive exchange into a shared moment. You will also see what the question evokes in others. Still, do not rush and… 

3. Consider whether you can answer the question immediately 

or if you need to look into it further. Perhaps someone in the audience knows (part of) the answer. If you do provide an answer, do not launch into a lengthy story right away, but… 

4. Answer the question concisely 

The Q&A session is a great opportunity to involve your audience, maybe even let them shine. In a way, you are working together. So, do not turn it into a new presentation. (We know from experience how challenging that can be, especially when you are enjoying your audience’s curiosity.) When answering the question, focus on everyone present. 

• Pyramid Principle