How to Handle Hecklers in 3 Easy Steps
Hecklers suck!
Trolls are to the Internet as hecklers are to speeches. However, hecklers are a special breed. Internet trolls hide behind the protection anonymity offers. Hecklers shout, “Hey, look at me. I'm a giant ass!” in a room full of people. They've got an opinion and more importantly, they aim for attention whore status.
The good news is that hecklers are a rare breed. Most people aren't willing to be jerks in a group of people – in fact most people are terrified of even asking a question during Q&A. Even though trolls are rare. my fabulous coaching clients ask, “How do you take take down a heckler?”
Here are my 3 easy steps to handle the rare but pesky heckler.
Step 1: Heckler discernment
There's a huge difference between a tough question or comment and a heckler.
The tough questioner is thoughtful, respectful, and backs up his/her question with logic, reasoning and even evidence. They respectfully disagree, but their end goal is to have a great discussion. An answer to this may strengthen your ideas.
A heckler is hell-bent on making it personal. If he's ranting about how your presentation sucks, you have no new ideas and are generally insulting you, your work and your intelligence, yep, that's a heckler.
You're dealing with the ad-hominem king or queen. It's time to shut that crap down.
Step 2: You have the power
You have the microphone. You are on the stage. Take control of the conversation.
Let's face it, heckler Joe may be on a roll. Just let him rant, and at the first sign of a breath, jump in. Ask “Do you have a question?” This typically takes them back. They'll stumble, mumble, “No, I'm finished now” and sit back down. If they do ask a smart-ass question like, “Why do you suck so much?” Answer back with “Why do you suck at asking meaningful questions?” You'll get a laugh from the audience. When the center of the universe realizes that the audience is laughing at him not with him, he'll shut up.
On occasion, this disarms the heckler. The rant becomes an honest question. The dialogue shifts. The person feels heard and understood. The tenor of the Q&A changes.
Step 3: Empower the audience
What if step 2 didn't work? It's time to use your secret weapon – the audience. They came to hear you speak. Not some joker who didn't get enough attention from mommy growing up. If they wanted to hear a heckler, they'd go to a comedy club.
Simply ask the audience if they want to hear more from your heckler. An awkward silence usually follows where you can hear the clock ticking loudly in the background. Some brave soul might shout out “Sit down!”
Social proof is powerful. When the audience doesn't want to hear more – the heckler gets embarrassed and slinks off.
Don't let the heckler shake you. It's time to turn your focus back to your presentation and creating great value for your audience.
I've never been heckled during a presentation. I've witnessed it though. It's as awkward for the audience as it is for the presenter. Remember, as the speaker, YOU have the power. Use it and handling a heckler is a snap.
This is great advice! I’ve given plenty of presentations, and only been mildly heckled a couple times, but never had the misfortune of being on the receiving end of a true attention whore. I’ve always wondered how I would handle myself in a more difficult situation. This gives me some confidence that I’ll be able to deal appropriately, should the occasion ever demand a steady hand. Thanks! 🙂
Thank you Andi! Most likely, you’ll never been on the receiving end, but it’s good to be prepared if you ever find yourself in that situation. Glad it gave the tools you would need to navigate the heckler’s lair during a presentation.
Liked this Michelle. As a trainer there are not that many hecklers, but if someone has been sent on a course there could be a little angst. (I get it, to be sent on anything is horrible). I’ve always said ‘bring the person alongside you’, they can be a great asset, which may sound really bizarre but I do believe most people just want to be heard. But that’s a training/learning environment. I read a great book once called ‘What do say when you are dying on the platform’ (Walters) which had the funniest and most compassionate one-liners for hecklers. Anyhoo, thanks for this. Dawn
It’s funny you mention this Dawn, I’ve seen hecklers become advocates when the speaker brings the person alongside them. I’d say 99.9% of people just want to have a voice and most people will never, ever, ever be heckled. However, there is that pesky .01% that just wants to show how much smarter they are. I’ll have to check out Walters book.
Really great advice. Hope this never happens to me, but if it does I’ll be prepared!
I hope it doesn’t either, but you now have the tools to deal with it!
Hey, not all hecklers suck. Our Hecklers’ Hangout would not have had quite as catchy of a title if it was the “Thoughtful Discerners Hangout” 😉
~ Signed,
Master Heckler…
I knew you would respond to this post. Yes, the Heckler’s Hangout is a catchy name – trust me I enjoy heckling there. However, you guys are true hecklers (see point 1), but it’s great copy. 🙂
[…] How to Handle a Heckler by Michelle Mazur […]
[…] just be someone with a challenging question. You’ll know the difference right away because a true participant with an inquiry is respectful and supports his or her point of view. A heckler is only intent on gaining attention […]
Great ideas!! Thank you, Michelle.