This Wednesday: Ten tips for asking questions from the audience, plus a bonus Secret of Adulthood.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: 10 tips for asking questions from the audience, plus a bonus Secret of Adulthood.
(I know, it's not actually Wednesday--I postponed the tips for one day.)

We’ve all been at panel discussions, large lectures, or big presentations. The Q-and-A period can be the most interesting part, but it sure helps if the audience does a good job of posing questions.

If you make a little effort, you can do a much better job of posing a question. It's worth keeping in mind that whenever you speak in front of a group, people (speakers and audience) form an impression of you, so it's a time to try to present yourself well. This is particularly important if you’re in a work environment—you have an opportunity to impress people whom you might not ordinarily meet.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re getting ready to ask a speaker a question:

1. Wait for the microphone, if there is one.

2. Pause for silence – don’t talk over a chattering crowd.

3. Don’t make excuses for yourself. This is tiresome and unnecessary.

4. Don’t address speakers by their first names. Some people will disagree with me, I’m sure, but this always strikes me as affected and inappropriately familiar, unless the mood of the presentation is extremely casual.

5. Don’t be long-winded.

6. Plan it out. This will help you avoid being long-winded.

7. Don’t ask double question. Give other people a chance.

8. If appropriate, say a little about yourself. Just a little.

9. Speak up. Nothing’s more frustrating to the audience than not being able to hear a question.

10. Remember: you’ll be happy that you asked a question. I’m one of those people who rarely asks a question at such an occasion. I never spoke in class in law school. But whenever I do participate, I feel more engaged and enjoy myself more. I’m working on speaking up.

Bonus Secret of Adulthood: You know the situation when you’d like to talk to someone who is surrounded by chattering people—whether after a lecture or at a cocktail party? Here’s a Secret of Adulthood: In a group, it’s okay to stand next to a person, and just listen, while that person finishes a conversation, and in time, that person will turn to speak to you. Other people understand this. Other people do this. They won’t think you’re rude, or clueless. Yes, it feels awkward, but it works. (If you need further tips on making conversation, try here.)

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Whenever I go to Guy Kawasaki's blog, I find something interesting. This time, at his suggestion, I'm off to check out Website Grader.

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Comments

[Jackie Danicki]

I'd add this tip: Ask an actual question! I've noticed that, whether the topic is political or not, lots of people put up their hand to ask a question when what they really want is to have a monologue. No one is impressed, even if they agree with what you say. You just come off as pompous, socially backward, and lacking in self-awareness.

Obviously this is a pet peeve of mine!

[Gretchen Rubin]

I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes they admit it, "This is more of a statement than a question..." which I actually find less annoying than the haranguing, leading non-question.

[anon]

A subset of #3 is laying out your (perceived) credentials. "Mr. President, as a bricklayer, I'd like to know ..."

You're just as entitled to ask questions or have an opinion as anyone. What you do doesn't entitle you to anything.

[Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk]

I don't agree with that last comment...if you're talking to an elected official, he/she might be interested in your demographic. It seems to me your "as a bricklayer" is an excellent example of item #8. You're not establishing your credentials, you're just saying a little about yourself.

Gretchen,
That's a great picture of you, but I just came from Alexander Kjerulf's Here's what happiness at work looks like. I'm wondering if you have a picture where you're looking just a bit happier?

[Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk]

I don't agree with that last comment...if you're talking to an elected official, he/she might be interested in your demographic. It seems to me your "as a bricklayer" is an excellent example of item #8. You're not establishing your credentials, you're just saying a little about yourself.

Gretchen,
That's a great picture of you, but I just came from Alexander Kjerulf's Here's what happiness at work looks like. I'm wondering if you have a picture where you're looking just a bit happier?

[Ella]

When I was in law school, I once attended a lecture given by Justice O'Connor. A particularly annoying classmate posed a "question" during the Q&A. He began: "I have a tripartite question," and launched into an extended monologue designed to show how smart he was -- along the lines of what Jackie describes above. At the end, Justice O'Connor said: "Here is your tripartite answer. One: Yes. Two: No. Three: I couldn't quite discern the question in the third part."

In addition to actually being a question, a question should relate to a topic that will be of general relevance - it should not be about something that concerns only the asker specifically. (Here I am thinking less of large, general-interest lectures and more of school events and the like -- don't ask a question that relates only to your child when you are in a group of 100 people.)

[Andrea Hess]

I actually used the "after a lecture" tip this weekend! It did feel a little odd to just stand there and listen to the conversation going on, but it sure worked! And I don't think I would have gotten the chance to speak to the teacher otherwise.

Thanks for the tip,
Andrea

[Andrew]

Great advice, Gretchen. I hope all audience members read and follow your advice.

It inspired me to write a companion piece with tips for encouraging/handling questions _from_ an audience: http://6minutes.wordpress.com/2007/11/02/leading-the-perfect-qa/

[Thawninhene]

The greatest productive force is human selfishness.
-- Robert Heinlein

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