When to just listen

It is an interesting phenomenon that at times we feel compelled to answer, when sometimes all people want is to make a statement and be heard.   On two occasions recently--the first a seminar where I was co-facilitating, and the second a meeting at my children's school--there were times when people from the audience made very strong statements during a Q & A period.  On both occasions, the people leading those sessions at the time both felt compelled to respond, even though the people had not truly asked questions but made only provocative statements.  The result in both cases was a back and forth that ended up, in my opinion, detracting from both sessions.  One of the most important tips I learned a number of years ago is that there is nothing wrong in letting a statement stand on its own...particularly where the person stating it is not truly engaging but only stating their opinion.  People will pick up on it, and will usually continue with your program without any problem, and in many cases, if you allow it, audience participants will facilitate that person themselves, which can be more powerful than you guiding or trying to resolve the matter.