This is far easier to do if you actually know something about them. Create a cohesive argument in the body of your essay, and use your conclusion to draw it all together without introducing new information. Powerful Panels Copyright 2013 - 2018. The moderator and organizers should develop a list of 4-6 pre-event interview questions. When you answer a question, strive to make your point then stop. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. We’ve all seen panelists who are sitting up there, zoning out, and even checking their phones while others are talking. If you’re reading this, you’re already ahead on this point. Plan the Questions Ahead of Time. I developed a proprietary methodology for executive presence that helps leaders inspire and motivate others. So it’s not a surprise that most panel discussions range from uninspired to just plain boring. % of people told us that this article helped them. Interestingly though, if we get speaker training at all, it’s for the solo speaker scenario that we rarely undertake. Your audience may have a lot of real or self-proclaimed experts on the topic at hand. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. 28150 N Alma School Parkway #103-615 If at any time you have doubts, ask, “Can everyone hear?” Don’t hesitate to ask your panelists to talk closer to the microphone, if necessary. Don't try to get all panelists on the phone at once--you won't get as much out of it and it will be impossible to schedule. The moderator must be very active at all times keep things moving and to prevent any one panelist or audience member from taking over. panels, audiences and the moderators roles and how they interact. "You have an interesting point, but let's hear more about ___", "Let's see what (other panelist) has to say on that topic, especially how it relates to __.". Sometimes I am asked to conduct a panel discussion, so this article helps with how to do this. Nobody likes a program that goes over and cuts into networking time. This "spontaneous" participation can be pre-planned if the moderator knows some of the people in the audience. Have the moderator or another person not on the panel look over your questions and suggest edits or additional questions. ", "Communication test that didn't have a clear definition, this one helped. So, you’ve been asked to moderate a panel discussion at an event. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The panelists assembled haven’t been trained to be engaging presenters in this format. You’ve been asked to moderate a panel discussion and you know the first few moments will make or break the success of the session. If you want to present well, practice your speaking part like a keynote. Although people shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, they do. http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/crit3/a7.html, http://blog.spinweb.net/the-secret-to-a-killer-panel-discussion-at-your-next-conference, http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2010/08/02/10-tips-on-moderating-a-panel-discussion/, http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/05/how-to-moderate-a-panel-like-a/, http://www.fka.com/files/TIPS-Facilitating-Panel-Discussions.pdf, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If possible, make sure the panelists are prepared to stay around to meet and greet audience members. A panel discussion is a public exchange of ideas, giving experts and audience members the chance to discuss a particular topic. In this prior post, I provided some of my best tips for storytelling, including how to structure stories. Decide how long the discussion will last, prepare several open-ended questions to get the discussion started, and politely steer the conversation back on track as needed if the panelists veer off-topic! Think of a panel as friendly, though emotional, conversation in front of 500 of your closest friends.”. To create this article, 13 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. By closing this banner or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to the use of cookies. It is worse then no event. Start organizing several weeks in advance if possible, so you can recruit participants and organize the event. ", now, knowing I'm prepared and knowing what to expect.". Typically, you’ll kick it off with welcoming comments, an overview of the process and your role, as well as panelist introductions. This way, you'll go into the discussion with everyone knowing everyone else a little bit. I'm an executive coach, leadership development consultant, speaker and author of The Power of Presence and The Inspiration Code. Great…you’ve snagged the runner-up position instead of being selected a full-on speaker. Powerful Panels Copyright 2013 - 2018. Have some ideas to share? How To Plan A Great Panel Discussion. Start with a friendly, warm hello and then lead into the topic with a short, interesting fact, statistic, quotation, anecdote or poll. Have a good microphone system ready for each panelist if the room needs it (lapel mics are best). If you chose good panelists, they are going to be good at talking, so they will easily take 5 minutes to introduce themselves and, voila, 1/2 of your time is gone with no interesting discussion. People can only sit so long. Improve your public speaking and media interviewing skills—and enhance your career—by signing up below. Who is out there? The audience knows these people and bios were likely part of the publicity. This article has been viewed 336,060 times. Let the panelists respond naturally, when they have something to say, or prompt someone who is knowledgeable on the topic if the discussion is faltering. When you learn who will be sharing a panel with you, research their bios on LinkedIn and learn about their background. 1. Like any other presentation, you should understand who will be in your audience and what value they can glean from your panel. Thank you so much, really helpful. Set the table by quickly giving an overview of why this topic is important now and what you hope to accomplish. A boring or poorly run program will send your participants running for the hills next time and, worse, they will tell their friends not to go. The audience (and panelists) need to know that they are in good hands. Since they are sharing the stage, panelists fail to practice with the same intensity that they would for a solo presentation. Our public speaking offerings are flexible to meet your needs. Let people know when you only have enough time for two or three more questions. We’re far more likely to sit on a panel at a conference or industry event than to deliver a keynote to a large group. Either have all the panelists seated or bring them up one at a time. Go with it when this happens, but get things back on track if the direction of the interaction is not interesting to the audience. You do this in order to connect the audience with the topic and the panelists – so the audience understands what’s being proposed, who the panelists are and why they should listen to them. All Rights Reserved. No one likes to be surprised by curveball questions. References Your Role. For more great tips on running panel discussions see Guidelines for Great Panels by Scott Kirsner and How to Be a Great Moderator by Guy Kawasaki, Guidelines for Great Panels by Scott Kirsner, How to Be a Great Moderator by Guy Kawasaki, 7 Reasons Why You Should Hire "Apprentices", Why Your Mentoring Program May Do More Harm…, Choose a moderator with a backbone. Panelists are overly agreeable, repeat each other, and present lackluster information. Award-winning author Kristin Arnold is an expert panel moderator and professional meeting facilitator. Great Panel Discussions: Nine Ways To Be A Terrific Panelist . It is nice to have a subject area expert, but the moderator is not a panelist and will play a different role so her ability to control the event is what is important.