Talking under pressure

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Specials skills come into play when we are speaking to an audience that disagrees with us.

We will have to face carefully planned counter arguments to ours, more interruptions and all sorts of innuendo.

All of these problems can be handled with the right skills and preparation.

Our program Talking Under Pressure combines these skills, using both theory and practice to give participants confidence for handling an ‘ugly’ audience.

Already our clients have used the techniques in the areas of forestry in timber townships, community relations for chemical plants accused of creating excessive sound and smell, and for facing farmers angry at government policy.

Our clients in one of these areas was so successful with out techniques that they dubbed the process ‘frying’ in honour of their mentors.

The one-day program begins with a description of the problem, and a list of the specific problems which are anticipated.  This list becomes the main part of the day’s agenda, so that the participants finish the training feeling confident they can handle the specific ‘torrid’ aspects of the presentation.

The areas which we typically cover are:

• Making points in a watertight way that cannot be challenged.
• Using behaviours designed to get other people ‘on side’
• Overcoming innuendo and emotion.
• Getting attention and keeping control.
• Ending on a constructive note.

There is no limit to the number of people who take part in a day’s training, although the most effective practice and confidence building can only be gained when the group is eight or less.

Skills are outlined, demonstrated and then practiced by the group members in pairs or threes. We then discuss the application of the skills covered – especially when it should and should not be used.

In the afternoon session, each individual makes a presentation where the audience members display the specific behaviours which the presenter wants to practice with.

Community groups are increasingly using public meetings to protest against change and development.

While we believe in freedom of speech, we think it is only fair that those who are leading change have the right to put their case as clearly and powerfully as possible.

I am always happy to discuss needs in this area.

Roger Fry

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