For many people, the presentation itself isn’t the stressful part – it’s the Q&A.
You can rehearse your slides, refine your message, and practise your delivery… but you can’t script the questions.
And that unpredictability is what makes Q&A feel daunting, especially when senior leaders are in the room.
You’ll be happy to hear that you don’t need perfect answers.
You just need to stay composed, respond with confidence, and guide the conversation with clarity – even when you’re thinking on your feet.
Here’s how to do that.
1. Pause before you respond
A beat of silence is your best friend.
It helps you look considered rather than reactive, gives your brain time to catch up, and stops you from rushing into an answer you’ll regret.
A calm presenter always appears more credible.
2. Clarify the question if needed
If something isn’t clear, ask for clarification – it shows professionalism, not uncertainty.
Try:
“Just to make sure I’ve understood you correctly, are you asking about…?”
This helps you avoid guessing and ensures your answer hits the mark.
3. Structure your response
A simple framework works wonders when you’re thinking on the spot:
Listen → Repeat → Respond
For example:
Listen: Stay present and give the person asking the question your full attention.
Repeat: Repeat the question to show you’ve heard it and to ensure everyone else in the audience hears it too.
Respond: Give your best response, clearly and concisely.
This framework keeps you from rambling and makes you sound composed.
4. It’s okay to say “I don’t know” – just don’t stop there
You don’t need to be an encyclopaedia.
Instead, use one of these phrases:
- “I don’t have that information to hand, but I can check and come back to you.”
- “That’s a great question – and I’d like to make sure I give you an accurate answer. Let me follow up after the session.”
- “I can speak to the broader context now, and confirm the specific details afterwards.”
You stay credible without pretending you know everything.
5. Keep your body language open
Hands visible, shoulders relaxed, eye contact steady.
A closed-off posture (crossed arms, folded hands, tightening your stance) can unintentionally signal defensiveness – even if you’re not feeling it.
An open posture helps you look approachable, confident, and in control of the conversation.
6. Don’t get pulled off-track
Some questions may challenge your decisions, your data, or your process.
Your job isn’t to win an argument – it’s to maintain the room.
A simple redirect works well:
- “I hear your concern – here’s the key point we’re focusing on.”
- “Let me address the part that’s most relevant right now…”
You stay respectful without letting the Q&A derail your message.
7. Know when to wrap it up
Q&A can easily overrun if you’re not careful.
Close with a calm, confident line:
“Let’s take one final question.”
or
“Thanks for all the thoughtful questions – let’s wrap up with a quick summary.”
You take control of the room again and bring the focus back to your core message.
Q&A doesn’t have to feel scary
When you approach Q&A with structure, openness, and steady composure, it becomes far less intimidating – and far more of an opportunity to show leadership.
