This morning I saw an article by Nick Morgan on Forbes.com on how to use judo technique to win a negotiation. Funny he mentioned judo, because I just had a conversation with someone who suggested I teach aikido techniques to public speakers, since I think about aikido constantly anyway.
In any case, the judo technique Nick Morgan described was one that the aikido world calls Irimi. When you and an opponent are facing off against one another, an irimi is a side step in to stand next to your opponent, ever so slightly behind them, and face the same direction as they are. The first thing this movement does is diminish tension. It also positions you to take control of your opponent's center. When you then execute a technique, you control the entire physical interaction. They have to move in the direction you wish to take them, wherever that may be.
So, let's translate this into facing a difficult audience. If you've read my free report, one of the tips I give about handling a difficult audience is using proximity or in other words, doing an irimi technique.
The key to taking control and continuing to lead your group is not to pull away with fear when a is a problem occurs or dive into a confrontational power struggle. If you pull away from their negative energy instead of diffusing it, the negativity will become stronger. The relationship between you and your audience or that one particular audience member will become a tug-of- war. That serves no one. You don't deliver your message, and your audience doesn't receive it. You've got to get them back into a receptive mode.
Instead, get closer. Move in with neutral energy. Look at things from their perspective. Acknowledge their point of view. If you need to verbally redirect them to quiet down or bring their attention back to you, do so without aggression. Pretend you're Ben Kingsley playing "Gandhi." Be like water, not stone.
As soon as you have their attention, so take them where you want them to go, decisively, and without hesitation. In other words, move to the next point in your presentation immediately.
Remember:
1) Don't take it personally.
2) Don't respond with anger.
3) Never humiliate anyone.
4) Embrace their perspective, then redirect toward your presentation.
Lily Iatridis of Fearless Delivery, has a proven track record and knows the key elements in effective and engaging presentation. Her expertise is in supporting professionals to get their message expressed clearly to deliver the biggest results in their live and online presentations. Secrets and strategies such as "how-to" shortcuts, personalized instruction and even packaging the presentation are just some of the skill sets that Lily brings to her audience to create a fearless and effective delivery.
If you've ever been nervous in front of an audience, please download Lily's free ebook, "5 Steps to Neutralize Difficult Audience Members– Without A Power Struggle!" In this ebook, Lily shares simple strategies that will put your mind at ease, arm you with useful strategies, and entertain you with some stories of her own bumps along the path to public speaking success.
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