Leading Q and A sessions after a presentation is completed can be difficult. It requires impromptu speaking skills, tools not readily available in the tool kit of many executives. If you feel your hands shake before Q and A sessions, try these four simple tips:

1. Tell your audience early in your presentation that you intend to answer questions . This will give the audience time to formulate appropriate questions and avoid a long silence at the end of your speech.

2. Restate each question . This is especially important if you have a big audience. Otherwise, someone in the back will yell “WHAT DID HE SAY?!” at the end of each question. In addition, be sure to address the entire audience after a question is asked, not merely the questioner. Remember the answer is for the group.

3. Rehearse questions you know will be asked.

4. Anticipate loaded questions. If you are a web project manager speaking to your over-taxed team about a new product roll-out, and you are asked about a completion time frame, craft a response like “we understand our design team has a lot on their plate. We plan on doing x,y and z to free up some time for you”. This way you diffuse a potentially heated exchange.

Do you have a Q and A session or job interview coming up? If you have used any of these tips, comment below on how well they worked for you.