> You're nervous Emotion-management is the key challenge here. Fear is the mind-killer which reduces your working memory. Your listening process was OOM-killed

> You're nervous Emotion-management is the key challenge here. Fear is the mind-killer which reduces your working memory. Your listening process was OOM-killed. Specific suggestions: 1. Repeat the question back for the benefit of the audience. 2. Pause Believe in your right to claim time for yourself. If you're worried people are impatient, you can allay that worry by saying something like "Hmmm... Thank you. That is a GOOD question." 3. Say "I don't have the answer right now. That sounds worth looking into though...". Possibly follow it up with "I've also been curious about..." to take them on a journey with you. 4. Say "I had not prioritized that. Hmmm....". You might think these all risk the possibility that you'll sound like you don't know what you are talking about. That is true--people being judgemental is indeed a risk. Ultimately the deeper solution here is to find a form of coaching to help you build courage.