As a public speaker, there is nothing more stressful than performing in front of a hostile audience. You can have an interlocutor or an interrogator in the audience. You can speak in front of a skeptical crowd. May have rude or irritated facial expressions. Here are 7 steps to handling hostility in your crowd.
1. Have a goal. Having a firm goal for your speech, presentation, or discussion can help you stay on message when the audience is hostile. A clearly defined goal is imperative in most formal and informal presentation situations, allowing you to keep your focus on your points, while quickly recognizing when critics are trying to undermine your position. Particularly in an emotionally charged environment where some audience members can talk a lot while promoting their opposing views, it may be easy to doubt the truth and worth of your own position. But if you are clear about what you want your audience to know, you will be more confident when skeptics and “grenade shooters” are trying to distract you.
2. Stay calm. By keeping your own temper in check and responding to interrupters with reasoning and deeds rather than emotional outbursts, you increase your chances that others in the audience will see you as the most level-headed communicator and therefore may be more inclined to give your position. fair consideration.
3. Be positive. Having a positive and optimistic attitude differentiates leaders from followers. You cannot hope to make a winning impression and convert others to your thinking with a negative attitude and behavior. Showing the audience the possibilities of your vision with passion and enthusiasm will go a long way in convincing them that you are correct. All great communicators know that genuine optimism and enthusiasm are irresistible and often contagious.
4. Prepare yourself. Preparation is essential when faced with an audience that is inclined to reject or oppose what you have to say. By knowing which of your arguments the audience is likely to reject, you will be in a better position to prepare an effective talk that addresses these issues specifically and with strong evidence. Gather as much information as you can about the attitudes, interests, motivations, and problems of your specific audience, so that you have a clear idea of their readiness to your ideas. The more detailed information you have, the better you can relate to their unique perspectives and prepare for their opposing views.
5. Stick to the facts. Consider the evidence you have collected to support your claims. When under the stress of personal attacks, resist the gravitational pull to reach for proverbial straws when presenting your arguments. You are clearly on a thin layer with this strategy. Stick to the facts and repeat them often if necessary. But don’t give in to the temptation to use questionable data that you couldn’t verify and that doesn’t come from reliable sources. Stick to what you can demonstrate beyond reproach in hot weather while presenting your message; otherwise, you will leave yourself wide open for your critics to jump on your fragile evidence and unstable argument.
6. Be aware of your body language. A frequently cited study by UCLA researcher Professor Albert Mehrabian found that we obtain most of our information through non-verbal communication. The language your body speaks is more trustworthy and revealing than anything your words say. Therefore, whenever you find yourself speaking to an audience, you should know that the non-verbal signals that you are sending give them a much clearer idea of what the true meaning of your message is. So if you have doubts yourself about the credibility of your information or are unsure whether the position you represent will stand up to expert scrutiny, your words and body language will point to incongruity, which a critical thinking audience will immediately perceive and draw. . conclusions of.
Be a frequent no-nonsense communicator, optimistic demeanor, winning impression, and let your physical expressions and vocal tone naturally support your message. By focusing on your conviction and the value of your message, and by maintaining a mental connection with your audience while looking into their eyes, you are showing them that you stand for what you say and that you mean what you say.
7. Establish common ground. Think of everything you have in common with your audience. An awareness of important commonalities can be a solid bridge that will support your statements to your listeners. We all share certain universal experiences that connect us as human beings despite our many cultural, educational, and socioeconomic differences. Particularly in the face of an audience that is strongly opposed to your ideas, it’s critical that you take advantage of those common human experiences by bringing them up early in your talk. With this strategy, even the most hostile audience can’t help but engage with you at least on some level and therefore feel less negativity towards you during your talk.
When you can handle a hostile audience, you have developed the best skills as a public speaker. You are ready to shine in any professional speaking situation. Now all you need to do is get out there and share your message so the audience can benefit from your ideas.