I think it’s about being real in the moment.Like, if someone throws you a question and you have no clue, the worst thing you can do is fake your way through it. People see right through that. Instead, own it.Hey “You know what? That’s a solid question, and I don’t have the answer right now, but I’ll find out for you.” No need for over-explaining or getting defensive. It’s about being direct, keeping the flow, and making sure they know you’re on top of it.

As a Reporting Capability Lead, handling unexpected technical questions requires composure and adaptability. I first ensure I fully understand the question, then draw from my experience with Power BI, data analytics, and customer onboarding to provide a concise answer or a high-level overview. If I don’t have the solution immediately, I explain the steps I’d take to find it. I also leverage team collaboration when needed. If a deeper dive is required, I commit to follow-up after the meeting, ensuring thorough research and maintaining credibility with all stakeholders.

When a technical question pops up during a Q&A, I always try to remember, It's okay not to know everything. Instead of panicking, I acknowledge the question and thank the person for bringing it up. If I don't have the answer, I'm honest about that and offer to provide a more detailed response later or connect them with the right expert. Sometimes the unexpected question opens up a really interesting discussion that everyone benefits from! It's all about approaching those moments with curiosity and a willingness to learn.

1. Stay Calm and Confident. i.e. - Take a moment to compose yourself. 2. Acknowledge the Question - Recognize and engage with the question. 3. Ask for Clarification if Needed - Seek more details if the question is unclear. 4. Admit if You Don’t Know - Be transparent about not having the answer. 5. Bridge to a Related Topic - Connect the question to something you do know. 6. Offer to Follow Up - Commit to researching and providing the answer later. 7. Involve the Audience - Encourage others to share their insights on the topic. 8. Keep Your Composure - Maintain confident body language and tone.

Oh let me count the ways of how often in my career pathway as a presenter and facilitator this has happened to me...I strongly suggest the part about not "freaking out." People are watching every single move you make and pay attention to body language and reactivity on behalf of the presenter. A technical query during a Q&A does not have to reveal poor consequences. Perhaps it might mean that you do not have a solid response and that is a-ok. Responding along the lines of "Your question means a lot to me. You have me thinking now and because I care about this work just as you do, I want to make sure I give you a well thought-out response. Please write your contact information so that I may respond accordingly after doing a solid on this."

Begin by thanking the audience : - If it’s in your area of expertise try to simplify the answer as much as possible either by story telling from a previous experience or by an example from the industry . - If it’s out of your scope it’s ok to say that you don’t know and refer to a reliable source a friend or a reliable website to address the subject .

When confronted with an unexpected technical query during a Q&A session, it's essential to maintain composure and respond effectively. Begin by acknowledging the question and expressing appreciation for the participant's interest. Utilize your knowledge and expertise to provide a clear and concise answer. Avoid technical jargon that may confuse the audience. If the question is outside your area of expertise, politely decline to answer but offer to direct the participant to a more knowledgeable source. The goal is to maintain credibility and build trust with the audience. Responding honestly, and professionally, you can effectively navigate unexpected technical queries and enhance your reputation as a knowledgeable and approachable expert.

Encountering unexpected questions during a Q&A session is quite common. It's important to stay calm and composed. Begin by appreciating the individual for their question. If it’s something you’re unsure about, be transparent and politely acknowledge that you don’t have the answer.

I believe presentation is all about having cognitive clarity of the subject matter and transparency for the purpose of being with the audience. It is essential for a presenter to have an attitude of mutual learning. With the above traits, a presenter should be consistently open to feedback and handle the unexpected questions. I'd like to share a some strategies that I use to handle the technical queries: 1. Reconfirm the query to understand it completely. 2. Use appropriate example(s) to answer that query. 3. If I don't have the answer I acknowledge it and I invite the audience to get involved and answer. 4. If above strategies don't work I ask them a timeline of 24 hours and make sure to respond back.

Just be honest. The most important thing. 🤝 If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t give one. Never. 🚫 Say it’s a really good question, that you don’t know the answer right away, but you’ll connect with them after the presentation and look into it, if it benefits you, of course. If not, just say you don’t know the answer. And that’s it. 💡✅