FRONT OF THE ROOM
Brian Lange
Over the years, one of the most frequent fears or concerns that presenters have shared with me is that of “crickets” — the initial silence that often follows a question asked or example requested of the audience.
It came up as recently as last week on a rare virtual training session on presentation skills. It’s like the sensation of standing alone in a field: solitary, in the quiet, able to hear nature’s song by way of crickets.
There is a sense, apparently, that this silence is somehow “bad” or undesirable — and presenters will go to creative lengths to avoid this situation:
“Planting” questions ahead of time with specific audience members.
“Bribing” audience members to respond with promises of candy or gift cards.
Pleading with the audience to help out: “Please, someone? Anyone? Bueller?”
Calling out audience members on the spot: “David, will you answer the question, please?”
“Rescuing” the audience by jumping in with presenter’s own answer or example.
I understand that the initial silence can feel uncomfortable – “Everyone’s watching! I must not be doing a good job if people aren’t participating!” – but perhaps we need to look at how we react in this situation as a choice. You can choose to feel uncomfortable, or you can choose to be in control of the moment and have the confidence that the audience will come through!
Consider that when we, as presenters, rescue or otherwise assist our audiences in these brief moments of quiet, we actually end up taking on more of the responsibility for the success of the learning experience. It becomes more about the presenter.
When we engage our audiences with questions, it is our attempt to “share” the learning experience with them. So, perhaps we can think of this time (uncomfortable as it may be) as “their turn:” Their opportunity to put some skin in the game and contribute to the overall learning experience.
Here are some ideas for what to do as the presenter while you are waiting for the audience to respond:
Smile! It shows you are relaxed, welcoming and not uncomfortable!
Move: It’s time to explore some new real estate upfront. And, it gives you something to do.
Adjust: Shift papers on your presenter’s table, the chart pad or your coffee cup.
Scan: Look across your audience with an expression of anticipation. Avoiding direct eye contact will help people to not feel pressured or singled out.
Ultimately, you are in control in this situation; don’t let the situation control you. Think about it: When you pose a question or seek an example from your audience, they need some time to process the question, consider their environment and assess whether someone else has jumped into the opportunity already.
As the quiet evolves, they may then begin to feel some of the “discomfort” you felt at the moment the question left your lips. So, if your audience begins to become uncomfortable with the silence, they will be more likely to seek to rescue you!
It takes some patience, belief and willingness to get your audience to step up to manage through the beginnings of a crickets situation. And be sure not to show any sense of relief once someone answers — there’s no problem here. You expected it to take a little while for people to answer. You are in a sense “training” the audience that you are comfortable with silence, and that should fuel an even easier (and quicker) path forward.
Remember: The key is not to be standing alone in that field, but to share it with others. You must be patient. And, if you build it, they will come!
Brian Lange is with Perim Consulting and serves as lead facilitator for LTEN PrimeTime! For Trainers workshops. Email Brian at blange@perim.com or connect with him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/brianplange.