Conquering Your Toughest Challenge
By Harry Mills

Because a hostile audience disagrees with your proposals they will question everything you say.

Create Rapport

A hostile audience first has to be "warmed up" to the point where they will listen to you and consider your points.

Build Credibility

With a hostile audience you have to take every opportunity to demonstrate your expertise. Cite experts whom the audience respects, even if they are not your first choice. Be scrupulously fair when citing facts and statistics.

Stress Win-Win

Finally, stress you are looking for a win-win outcome rather than a win-lose solution.

Here are seven additional tips:

1. Don't start with a direct attack
   You will lose your audience and very likely increase their hostility.
   
   
2. Start with hum our or a story
   They're good ways to build initial rapport.
   
   
3. Focus first on the areas of agreement
   Stress these before delving into areas of conflict.
   
   
4. Back up every claim you make with rock-solid evidence
   Where there is doubt understate your claims. Source all references to prove your fairness.
   
   
5. Avoid hypothetical examples
   Make sure all your case studies and stories are representative and drawn from real life.
   
   
6. Don't tell your audience you plan to change their minds
   It will simply antagonize them and harden their resistance.
   
   
7. Don't expect major shifts in attitude
   Ask for a little and get it rather than asking for a lot and facing rejection.