When Kanye Takes the Mic From You

by Linda Edwards, Shelton & Caudle/ Vollmer Austin

From shoe throwing to town hall smack-downs to a Congressman heckling the President to Kanye West grabbing the microphone at the MTV Awards, public speaking requires ever more courage and grace. It used to be: Come to the podium if you care. Now it's: Come to the podium if you dare!

These days, more and more city governments, police departments, and even universities are turning to communication consultants to train staff to deal with hecklers and hostile people. Such instruction has always been a part of communication training, but now it has begun to play an even bigger role.

So what’s a public speaker to do? Here are a few tips for those planning to speak at a public meeting or other venue where heckling is a possibility:

• Know your topic well. What's the meanest question somebody could ask you about it? How would you respond to it?
• Acknowledge in advance that an interruption might happen, so you won't be rattled if it does.
• For a single outburst, just ignore it. Keep going.
• If the heckling continues, remember to breathe. Relax. You're still in control.
• Quickly zero in on the essence of the heckler's complaint or question. Is it cost, safety, accountability? Others may have a similar concern.
• Address the essence of the interruption - briefly.
• For example, you could restate the purpose of the meeting and the proper time and place for people to state their concerns. (If there will be time at the end for questions, say so.)
• Or try using phrasing like this, "I understand people have strong feelings about this issue. However, if we're ever going to find a solution, we've got to discuss it in a respectful way. All I ask of you right now is that you hear me out."
• Don't wait for a response. Immediately pick up where you left off.
• If the heckling continues, stay calm. Repeat the steps above.
• And most important?  Never invite Kanye West.

Sometimes humor can go a long way, such as when President Bush commented on the size of the shoes hurled at him during a news conference in Iraq. However, for most of us, attempts at humor amid tension can fall flat. (And, of course, you’ll want to resist the temptation to respond in kind.)

There's another basic thing each of us can do: Resolve to be civil and employ more self-control about what we say and how we say it, whether in a crowd, in person -- or on the internet. Emotional, snarky outbursts, like shoe throwing, rarely result in a useful exchange of ideas.

At least Rep. Wilson kept his shoes on.

Shelton & Caudle Crisis Counsel & Communication Training is a division of Vollmer Public Relations.