Depending on the nature of your speech, you should imagine and plan how you will include people.

If you are giving something like a presentation, lecture, or speech, it is of course good to announce a question-and-answer session at the end.

If the format of the speech is casual, you may be ready to answer questions during it, then also let people know about it.

The idea is to make you feel like you are in control of the situation and that the whole speech will not suddenly slip away from you.

As mentioned above, always propose a format for the meeting and agree on the rules for speaking. Especially when leading a discussion or debate, the rules will be helpful and orderly. If a situation arises where someone will constantly interrupt you, you can always refer to the arrangements made at the beginning of the meeting, indicating that you have agreed on specific rules for the meeting.

It may also be the case that in your speech you will assume asking questions to the audience. They can be rhetorical in nature, but they can also be directed at the audience.

Then, expect that you may hear a variety of answers – and you will have the opportunity to show your reflexes by reacting to them in a way that is in harmony with yourself and close to your topic.

It may happen that you will be met with silence… and with no response from the audience… Then you will elegantly continue your speech and that’s it 😉

The more famous you are, the more often there may be aversion to you or the topics you deal with. You should have support. In the case of aggressive behavior or comments that do not fit the rules of public discourse, such people should be asked to leave the room. You have the right to expect that the organizers or security will support you in such a case.

If the situation is unpleasant, you have the right to stop and continue only after the situation has calmed down.

Under no circumstances should you ignore rude, impolite, or aggressive behavior.

Sometimes, difficult situations may arise during a presentation. You can anticipate and protect yourself from technical difficulties.

However, sometimes difficult situations may arise, caused by the participants. They can be divided into two types:

Difficult situations created on purpose to throw you off your presentation or disrupt it.

Difficult situations arise because you have a hard time with someone, but no one has bad intentions.

What to look for in both cases?

✅ In the case of deliberate difficulties, be assertive, refer to the arrangements and rules of conducting the meeting.

Avoid entering rude discussions or arguments on the forum.

You can interrupt your presentation and ask the person to follow the rules.

There is a high probability that other participants will support you.

Remember that what people say and do says something about them, not about you. You should focus on the best possible presentation and your mental comfort.

✅ In the second case, it may be that a given person arouses difficult emotions in you, try to behave neutrally and assertively. The rules established earlier may also be helpful to you. Do not enter unnecessary discussions that may throw you off balance. Respond substantively, if necessary, set assertive boundaries.

✅ Sometimes, there are situations where a person from the room tries to attract a lot of attention and speaks in a lengthy manner, exceeding the time norms and sometimes the scope of the topics. In such a situation, diplomatically suggest that the set time has ended, that other people need space to speak.

✅ The better thought out your speech is and the better you outline the nature of the meeting; the less likely there will be difficult situations during it.

✅ It may also happen that you will encounter unpleasant reactions about you online. Hate is, unfortunately, a widespread phenomenon. It affects all people who appear in the public sphere. There is no tolerance for violence on the Internet. It is also difficult to prepare for it. You can’t get used to it. It is important that you give yourself the right to react and block, report, or even inform the appropriate services about aggression against you. You should not enter a discussion with hysteria. However, you should clearly express your opposition.

✅ How you deal with difficult situations in the public sphere is also an element of your image. People receive many more messages on a subconscious level than you think. For this reason, it is good for you as a leader to take care of your mental well-being, self-esteem, and assertiveness. If you have an inner feeling that you can trust yourself and that you will cope, your intuition will tell you how to act in unexpected moments. If you are having a worse time mentally and you have a lot of public appearances ahead of you, don’t fool yourself, just reach out for the support of your team, friends, or other people who are well-wishers to you.