How Barack Obama handles a heckler

Learn how to handle disruptions and disagreements when you’re presenting.

The world’s top 1% leaders don’t speak to inform.

They speak to have a conversation with the audience. How:

Ex-President Obama was a trained speaker.

Throughout his career, he has been:

– Heckled,
– Asked tricky questions,
– Challenged by hostile audiences.

One of my favorite incidents was when someone started yelling and heckling him in the middle of a talk.

Want to see how he dealt with the disruption?

Check out the video as I break down ex-President Obama’s public speaking secrets.

Remember, in the face of adversity, leaders don’t focus on the noise in the crowd.

They focus on the calm in their mind.

Transcript

What if people disagree with what I have to say? That’s the number one fear that holds people back from speaking in public. I want to share with you how ex-president Obama dealt with extreme disagreement and disruption when he spoke, and what we can learn from the way that he dealt with the situation. Let’s go.

“And if we do, then I guarantee you, I agree with you, although why don’t I talk about it later? Because I’m just about to finish. You and me, we’ll talk about it. All right, I’m going to be coming around.”

Note how he does two very critical things.

First, he stays pleasant and calm throughout. You don’t see a hint of, “I am stressed, I am upset.”” How dare this person do this?” What you see is openness, a willingness to engage, but also polite firmness at, “You’re disrupting me. What I would like to do is help you get heard at an appropriate time.”

“I agree with you. I want to hear from you. I love you back. You kind of screwed up my ending, but that’s okay. That’s okay. And we’ve got free speech in this country.”

And he ends with a stroke of genius.

So he used a disruption that he could not have planned for, could not have anticipated. And not only did he deal with it, but he turned it into something positive. That is the sign of a calm and controlled mind.

The next time you get tricky questions, remember these three lessons.

First, acknowledge the elephant in the room.

Number two, always diffuse the tension.

And number three, aim to get back on track.

What do you think? Are you still scared of people disagreeing with you? I would love to know.

Get a Free 5-Day Course in Speaking Fearlessly

Transform your speaking skills in 5 days.
Sign up to find out how to turn your words into powerful, confident communication.
This free video course will give you concrete strategies to gain more confidence and speak fearlessly at your next presentation, meeting or podcast.

By clicking the button above, you are agreeing to the terms outlined in our privacy policy.

5-Day Free Course in Speaking Fearlessly cover image

August 22nd @ 12 PM EST / 4 PM GMT

Level up your speaking skills to attract more clients and close more deals.

Click here for more details about this free masterclass.