Of course, you might receive questions that you would prefer to avoid because you are not confident of the answer. Here are 3 techniques that will let you maintain control in such situations:
1. Signal
2. Decline
3. Offer
1. Signal
Prepare the audience for the fact that you are not going to answer. However, be careful how you do this. I do not recommend using negative expressions such as: I’m sorry…, I’m afraid… or Unfortunately… Instead, using To be honest… will be received by your audience much more positively.
2. Decline
Again, take care with your word selection. Rather than using I don’t want to answer that question, say something like:
I can’t answer that question right now,…
I don’t really know,…
I’m not 100% sure,…
3. Offer
Finish positively by offering some kind of alternative:
but I will check and get back to you.
but my guess is…
but can anybody in the audience help answer that question?
