However, it’s never a good feeling when you’re on the receiving end of this curiosity – especially when questions are asked in a public forum – so it’s important to know how to handle those uncomfortable questions without losing your cool.

For everyday citizens, responding “none of your business,” might be an appropriate response. That’s how Chelsea Clinton responded in March to a Butler University student who asked a personal question of the former First Daughter. But Chelsea Clinton is not an “everyday citizen,” and her response, while reasonable and appropriate to some, keeps resurfacing and will surely pop up again as she and Senator Hillary Clinton, continue to campaign in Indiana.

Different rules apply for politicians, top executives and other public figures whose media responses often impact public opinion and the bottom line. For this select group, a “no comment” or other curt response to a tough question, can change the direction of a campaign, impact stock prices, damage a corporate reputation and more.

There are better ways to respond to inappropriate questions while maintaining your privacy and satisfying the inquirer’s curiosity.

Anticipate the tough questions.
Whether you’re in the midst of a touchy situation, just coming out of it or thought you had overcome the issue long ago, anticipate the possibility that you’ll be asked about it. It’s important to be prepared at all times for the toughest questions. In fact, that’s what Chelsea Clinton must have done. In agreeing to travel across the country to speak with and to answer questions from voters, the former First Daughter must have anticipated that someone would bring up one of the defining issues of her father’s presidency – his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Prepare a response.
Planning a positive response in advance, whether Chelsea Clinton provided in-depth details or not, would have been preferable, in my view, to “none of your business.” Her response didn’t help defuse the situation. In fact, it created news. As such, she garnered the Clinton campaign unwanted attention about a negative personal issue from long ago – a distraction from the key messages she would have rather had playing in the media.

The question posed to Chelsea Clinton was about the criticism Senator Hillary Clinton received regarding how she handled the Lewinsky scandal and how that might be a sign of weakness for a presidential candidate. Chelsea Clinton could have responded by saying something like, “Actually my mother and father handled that issue as well as it could have been handled. My mother showed tremendous strength and resolve throughout the ordeal, and that same strength and resolve will serve her well when she is elected President of the United States.”

When a difficult situation arises, plan a response based on what you’re willing to reveal and the message you want to convey. Are you willing to provide all the details or set firm boundaries? Chelsea Clinton and her family obviously set firm “no comment” boundaries about this subject area.

Once you decide your message, be consistent. If it’s an internal message to staff, reiterate those key points at every meeting. When you’re addressing the news media or discussing the issue in a social setting, never waver from your consistent response.

If necessary, redirect the focus of the question.
Have you ever noticed how some politicians admit errors, but quickly move away from the issue? Barring legal concerns, it is almost always best to acknowledge the question with a response; then move on to the positive message you want to communicate. Being forthcoming reassures, and shows confidence and leadership. It also controls rumors and frustrations before both get out of hand.

So the next time someone asks a sensitive question, be prepared. People remember verbal missteps, especially from high-profile citizens. Just ask Chelsea Clinton.

  • Print
  • E-Mail
  • Newsletters

To view the past 6 months of archived Perspectives, select an article from the dropdown below and hit 'View':
 

To search the archive of Perspectives articles, go to the Search page

 

 
 

Web Site Design and Development by BitWise Solutions, Inc.