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les Stress
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I LIED TO MY AUDIENCE
A couple of weeks ago I gave a presentation about a new software product to a group of about 50. It went well until the end when I was asked a question I didn’t know the answer to. I was just about to say, “I don’t know” when all of a sudden I made up a response that definitely wasn’t correct. The topic of the question wasn’t anything major but I’ve been feeling guilty about lying, and troubled that I couldn’t just admit that I didn’t know something. I guess I don’t really have a question, just a need to tell someone what I did.
Mike
Hello Mike,
Turn your troubled mind into presentation prowess by first accepting that no speaker knows everything about his or her subject. Drop that fact into the pressure cooker that can be Q&A time, and it’s easy to see how we might forget what we do know, or even invent part or all of an answer to maintain our expert reputations. Ironically, the one thing that can tarnish that reputation is audience members catching a lie or getting the impression that they’re being deceived.
Next, try answering this new question: Is it too late to right your wrong? Could you email those 50 softwear-ers or your contact person to them with an amendment to the incorrect information you originally provided? Doing so could help them, your conscience, and your image if it needs any repair.
Then, prep for your next talk by repeating out loud the three hardest words for a speaker to utter: “I don’t know.” If you’re ever stumped by a future asker, combine them, or some variation like, “I’m not sure,” “I don’t recall,” etc. with “and I can try to find the answer for you” to show you are human, resourceful and willing to help your audience beyond your presentation. Another option is admitting ignorance and turning the question over to the audience members, recognizing that they may also include experts with background and experience in your subject.
Do you know the three easiest words for a speaker to say? “Thank you, goodnight.”
Les Stress
11/06
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