Ready, Set, Respond: Handling High-Stakes Questions with Ease
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Speaker : ZANI BARRISH
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When : Friday, August 15, 2025
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Time : 12 : 00 PM EST
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Zani Barrish is a renowned business strategist, speaker, and communication expert with over a decade of experience in helping professionals master high-stakes interactions. Known for her engaging and practical approach, Zani has worked with executives, entrepreneurs, and teams across industries, providing them with the skills to navigate challenging conversations with confidence.
She has conducted training sessions for corporate leaders, public speakers, and media professionals, equipping them with techniques to handle tough questions, respond persuasively, and maintain composure under pressure. A recognized speaker and award-winning Toastmasters competitor, Zani blends real-world insights with actionable strategies to ensure participants leave her sessions feeling empowered and prepared for any high-stakes communication scenario.
Answering high-stakes questions is an essential skill in leadership, business, and communication. Whether in a boardroom, during a sales pitch, in a media interview, or during
a high-pressure negotiation, your ability to respond effectively can shape perceptions, build trust, and influence decisions. Yet, many professionals struggle with these moments, feeling unsure of how to handle difficult inquiries, pushback, or scrutiny.
This session will provide a structured approach to mastering high-stakes questions with ease. You will learn how to stay calm under pressure, organize your thoughts quickly, and deliver clear and persuasive responses. Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, we will explore techniques such as bridging, reframing, and strategic pauses to turn challenging questions into opportunities for constructive dialogue.
Attendees will gain insights into the psychology of tough questions, understanding why certain inquiries create pressure and how to navigate them effectively. We will also discuss common pitfalls, such as defensive reactions, over-explaining, or vague responses, and how to avoid them. By the end of the session, participants will feel equipped to approach high-stakes questions with confidence, transforming potential stress points into moments of influence and impact.
Areas Covered
- Understanding the psychology behind high-stakes questions
- Techniques to stay calm and composed under pressure
- Structuring responses using the “Think-Frame-Deliver” method
- Active listening strategies to clarify and control conversations
- The power of bridging and reframing difficult questions
- Handling objections, criticism, and loaded questions with confidence
- Common pitfalls to avoid when responding under pressure
- Real-world practice scenarios and interactive Q&A
Who Should Attend
- Business Leaders and Executives
- Managers and Team Leads
- Sales and Customer Service Professionals
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
o Public Speakers and Presenters
o Media Spokespersons and PR Professionals
o HR Professionals and Corporate Trainers
o Anyone who faces challenging questions in professional settings
Why Should You Attend
Have you ever been caught off guard by a tricky question in a meeting or presentation? Do you worry about saying the wrong thing when faced with unexpected challenges? High-stakes questions can create anxiety and pressure, leaving even the most experienced professionals feeling unprepared.
This session will help you develop a strategy to stay composed and respond effectively, no matter the situation. You’ll learn how to anticipate difficult questions, structure your responses, and handle objections with confidence. Whether you're a business leader, public speaker, or professional navigating high-pressure interactions, this workshop will provide you with the tools to turn tough questions into opportunities to shine.
Topic Background
In business, leadership, and public speaking, handling high-stakes questions can make or break your credibility. Whether you’re in a high-pressure meeting, a media interview, or a client negotiation, your ability to respond with clarity, confidence, and composure is crucial. Many professionals struggle with answering tough questions due to nerves, uncertainty, or fear of saying the wrong thing. This session will equip you with practical techniques to navigate difficult questions, maintain control of conversations, and turn challenging moments into opportunities to showcase expertise and leadership.
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$160.00
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