| Public Speaking: Maintaining
Credibility When an Expert is in the Audience You’re about to
speak before a group of people when you realize that an
expert on today’s topic is in the audience. This
expert has many years of experience and a depth of
knowledge equal or exceeding your own. “Will this
person make any comments during the question and answer
segment that will degrade my credibility?” you ask
yourself anxiously as you hear your name introduced and
proceed to the podium.
Speaking to an audience
that contains a subject matter expert can be
disconcerting. Sufficient preparation will enable you to
handle the situation professionally with grace and
dignity. An important first rule for establishing and
maintaining credibility is to only speak about topics on
with which you are very familiar. Other important
guidelines include the following:
- Provide
the person introducing you with a good written
introduction that gives the audience a
reason to listen to you. This introduction should
be no more than half a page typed double-spaced
in a 12-point font size. Ask someone else to read
the introduction aloud in your presence to check
it for readability.
- Remember
that credibility is also established
during the speech. Make sure that your
ideas and main points are clear, well organized
and flow naturally.
Keeping
those guidelines in mind while preparing the speech will
go a long way in establishing and maintaining your
credibility. Now you are ready to turn your attention to
the expert in the audience. Professional behavior and
courtesy precludes interrupting speakers and/or trying to
diminish their credibility, even if the individual has
more knowledge and experience than the speaker. A
true professional subject matter expert interrupting a
presentation is a rare occurrence. If it happens
to you frequently, you should re-evaluate your
presentation.
Some
suggestions follow:
- Deliver
the speech as prepared without acknowledging the
expert in the audience. You are a
subject matter expert yourself and your material
is authentic and valuable. If the expert
interrupts or asks a question that in your
opinion is designed to diminish your credibility,
there are a couple possible approaches.
o If
anyone asks you a question to which you do not know
the answer, say “I don’t have
that information with me. I’ll need to do some
research and get back to you on it.” Trying
to finesse an answer may backfire and do irreparable
harm to your credibility.
o
If the expert has interrupted you to make a
point, you could say, “Mr. or Ms.
Smith has an interesting point. Unfortunately, we are
short of time, but I will be happy to meet with you
after the formal presentation to discuss your
idea.” or “Yes, this is very
interesting, however, the point you just brought up
is not within he scope of this presentation. I’d
be happy to discuss this with you at a later
date.”
- Another
approach is to beat the expert to the punch
thereby maintaining control of the presentation
and showing magnanimity. This approach is
effective in situations in which the presentation
is informal and you are concerned that the expert
will interrupt you. Present a fact that supports
your message and follow it with “as
I’m sure Ms./Mr. Smith has seen from his/her
experience.” Allow the expert to respond
briefly, thank him or her, and then continue the
presentation citing time constraints. If the
expert interrupts you after this, cite time
constraints again and move on.
- If
an individual is being disruptive, say “Mr.
or Ms. Smith makes an interesting point.
Unfortunately, we are short of time, but I will
be happy to discuss it later.” or “Yes,
this is very interesting, however, the point you
just brought up is not within he scope of this
presentation. I’d be happy to discuss this
further with you at a later date.”
o If
the expert is being very disruptive question (to
yourself) his or her motives. This might be someone
who is looking for attention or is out to discredit
you. You may begin to sense the other audience
members becoming annoyed. The audience may support
you by telling the disruptive person to be quiet.
o
If the format of the presentation allows for a break,
take the break early and pull the individual aside
(preferably out of the room) for a private
conversation. Take one of the organizers with you.
Explain to the individual that you will be forced to
ask him or her to leave if the interruptions
continue. Back inside the room, the individual will
either remain quiet or interrupt you. If he or she
interrupts, have this person escorted out of the
room.
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