TRUDEAU'S VIRAL DODGE

In a media interview every question is a gift, as Canadian PM Justin Trudeau proved.

Geoffrey Stackhouse, Managing Director, Clarity Solutions

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's quantum computing response has gone viral, but no one paid any attention to the question he was frantically ducking in the press conference.

Which is a pity because it was a real corker:
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"I was going to ask you to explain quantum computing, but when do you expect Canada's ISIL mission to begin again and are we not doing going anything in the interim while we prepare?"

It's a serious question on a serious issue and deserves a serious response which you can watch here.

But Trudeau ignored the question and launched into a witty message which explained quantum computing simply and clearly.

Props to Trudeau for a witty response. And while he got away with it, it was disappointing to see him reduced to playing politician dodge ball, I thought he was better than that.

But don't try that at home. Unless you're a politician you won't get away with blatantly avoiding a journalist's question. And with decent media training you don't have to because every question is a gift.

Next time you get a challenging question try these tips to stay authentic:

 1. Show respect to the question. Remember the reporter is just doing their job;

 2. Show you've heard the question.  If there's a reason you can't answer it then give it. If you can answer it then do;. 
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 3. Take me somewhere interesting. Trudeau's quantum computing soundbite was a cracker and not really that hard to do.