Dividing the Dais<\/h3>\n

Sharing a podium is a frequent method for by-passing yet another dry presentation and (we hope)\u00a0generating heat and\u00a0light\u00a0between\u00a0two or more people seated on stage engaging in friendly verbal exchanges.<\/p>\n

In my experience, each speaker prepares and delivers a short talk (less than 10 minutes) on the topic being considered, takes a few questions from the moderator, his fellow panelists and the audience.<\/p>\n

After all the panelists have had their turn to address the audience for 10 minutes, the moderator encourages the audience\u00a0to ask more questions, which they do, and each panelist, in turn, ventures a response.<\/p>\n

It can be a good model.\u00a0 It limits the damage that any one presenter can inflict on a meeting.\u00a0 It allows for a variety of perspectives.\u00a0 It is more audience-centric<\/a><\/strong> than a traditional presentation.\u00a0 And if the moderator is good, she can create drama by teasing out the differences between panelists and creating healthy debate.<\/p>\n

But speakers and panelists should remember a few rules of etiquette.<\/p>\n

\n
1. Prepare your opening remarks as you would a public speech<\/strong>.\u00a0 It should be engaging, formally presented, and end on time.<\/li>\n
2. If you are first to speak,\u00a0acknowledge at the start the moderator, the sponsoring organization, and your fellow panelists.<\/li>\n
3. If you can, and if it’s allowed, stand to deliver your opening remarks.\u00a0 If there’s a lectern, move to stand at it.\u00a0\u00a0Please click here<\/a><\/strong> to learn the difference between a lectern and a podium.<\/li>\n
4. If you are not first, it is always a good idea to find something positive to say about those who spoke before you.<\/li>\n
5. If you want to disagree with someone, do so in the most diplomatic manner.<\/li>\n
6. In fact, before disagreeing,\u00a0ask the speaker you disagree with if your understanding of her remark is correct.\u00a0 If she says yes, then you may proceed.<\/li>\n
7. It is never a good idea to say, “You’re wrong,” to someone, especially on stage.\u00a0 Rather, you could say, “I see it differently,” or “I have a different perspective.”<\/li>\n
8. Resist the temptation to be the center of attention.\u00a0 Your goal should be to contribute to the public discourse by throwing whatever light you can on the subject.<\/li>\n
9. Refer to your fellow speakers by name.<\/li>\n
10. Remember to sit up straight and project your voice<\/a><\/strong>, even though you may be seated (I sound like my mother.)\u00a0 Make sure you make effective use of any microphones supplied.\u00a0 And finally, visibly enjoy yourself.\u00a0 Refrain from looking and sounding like a leg of lamb moldering on the table.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The audience will be alert to any signs of tension between panelists.\u00a0 Treat your fellow speakers with respect, and your character will speak even more persuasively than your thoughtful remarks.<\/p>\n

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     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Dividing the Dais Sharing a podium is a frequent method for by-passing yet another dry presentation and (we hope)\u00a0generating heat and\u00a0light\u00a0between\u00a0two or more people seated on stage engaging in friendly verbal exchanges. In my experience, each speaker prepares and delivers a short talk (less than 10 minutes) on the topic being considered, takes a few… Read More »Business Communication: Sharing the Podium<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","_ti_tpc_template_sync":false,"_ti_tpc_template_id":""},"categories":[270,24],"tags":[204,63,30,185,300,268],"yoast_head":"\n