Handling questions at the end of a presentation is often the worst fear of new (and not so new) presenters. But like everything else in life, planning is the key to success. Before you give a presentation, write down the five worst possible questions, and how you would deal with them. Rehearse them with friends and colleagues. And remember that you don’t have to answer everything in public – it is quite acceptable to say “That requires a fairly complex response – if you come and see me afterwards, I’ll be happy to talk it over with you.

Staying calm is very important too. There is no such thing as a stupid question, and you should always show respect to your questioner. It can be difficult, especially if you know that the questioner has a particular bias. Even worse, they may make remarks which you find irritating. You must keep calm, and ignore any unpleasantness. Answer the question directly and factually, without being drawn into criticising someone else’s opinion.

Never use sarcasm, or belittle the questioner. If you do, onlookers will side with the questioner, not you. Focus on what they have said, not on them. If you disagree strongly with their stance, say something like “I understand your point of view, but I don’t share it. Let me explain how I see things” Don’t make any assumptions. Simply accept the questioner’s presuppositions, correcting them gently if necessary.

Always smile, and thank the questioner for making their point. Even if you are seething with rage and indignation inside, don’t show it. You will win far more respect if you maintain a professional image.