Answering Questions at Inquiries
One Day Course
Description
This program teaches how to prepare for and handle appearances before parliamentary committees and similar hearings. We are against rote-learning of dozens of questions and answers as if you are facing a school examination.
The course shows how to get positive messages across using skills which have been proven in the environment of many inquiries. It teaches officers to identify problems and the skills needed to handle problem topics and problem questioners.
Who Will Benefit?
Senior executives, senior officers, politicians, and executives from companies. Anyone who has to appear before an inquiry, hearing, Senate Estimates or a Royal Commission.
Course Outline
For in-house groups, the program's content and practical exercises are tailored toward the specific type of inquiries participants will face, and the areas of questioning anticipated.
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Preparation of messages and their structure
How to prepare a positive main point on each key issue expected. The 2A + 3M formula for planning messages and issues management strategies is outlined and demonstrated. How to substantiate a point with a reason and/or examples. The MBE format for watertight comments and answers. Practice in pairs and threes.
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Keeping control
Handling questions irrelevant to you or your agenda. Coping with interruptions during your answers, and unexpected challenges to the veracity or logic of answers. Innuendo against you or your organisation. Handling belligerent questioners. How to maintain credibility and authority if a situation is getting out of control.
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Clarifying or weakening the questions
How to limit the scope of material under question. How to remove innuendo and language which gives the wrong impression, or sets up a particular answer. Use of paraphrasing or the language Meta-model to clarify or 'soften' a question. How to bring a questioner more on-side with simple behaviours.
Fully descriptive manuals are issued. Each participant does at least two practice 'interrogations' where he or she handles nominated problems and topic(s), using the skills taught. Video replays and discussion.
Course Arrangements
The optimum group maximum is eight people. This course is also available as one-on-one coaching in a half-day session.