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Moderating a  Panel Like a Pro

3/12/2019

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Participating in a panel discussion can be stressful: Speakers must be concise and careful of interrupting or overlapping, all while effectively communicating their point of view. Moderating such a discussion can be even trickier. Moderators must impose order on a group of strangers and organize disparate perspectives into a coherent conversation.

Writing in The Harvard Business Review, professional speaker, author and Duke University business professor Dorie Clark, offers four strategies for promoting a meaningful exchange.
  1. Prepare your panelists: No one should fly blind. Consider a pre-event conference call or solicit their thoughts on the topic via email. Consider sharing key questions you will pose.
  2. Work for the audience: Cut off verbose panelists while allowing them to save face. You can capture their attention by simultaneously making a hand gesture and breaking in verbally, using a positive statement like, “That’s an interesting point, Joe, and I’d love to hear the others respond.”
  3. Follow the flow of dialogue: Certainly, all panelists should get a chance, but “fair” doesn’t always mean “equal.” Address questions to the panelist with the most expertise in that area, rather than letting everyone go “in turn.” (Tweet it!)
  4. Follow up: When panelists say something interesting, or confusing, jump in with a “Tell me more,” or “What do you mean by that?” This enables the conversation to go deeper.


All in all, stay active and alert. It is your job to choreograph a positive experience. Don’t sit back and assume things will take care of themselves.

Have you ever moderated a panel discussion, and what are your caveats to those doing it for the first time? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.
 
If you would like to learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication, check out our online learning programs. 

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