You’ve been invited to moderate a panel.\u00a0 The question is: How\u00a0can you do\u00a0it really well so that the meeting is rated highly, you look good, and your chances of being invited back are good?<\/p>\n

First, you should look at the job of moderator as a great chance to create a host of positive impressions.\u00a0 It’s great marketing for you and your company.\u00a0\u00a0Let’s look into the details.<\/p>\n

What’s the topic?\u00a0 Can you change the topic, or re-phrase the title of the topic to make it more appealing?<\/p>\n

Who will be on your panel?\u00a0 Can you invite your own panelists?\u00a0 Can you prep them so they don’t all say the same thing, so they dovetail nicely with each other?<\/p>\n

What is the room like? When can you get into the room to test the microphones and get a feel for the place?\u00a0 Who is in charge of the logistics?\u00a0\u00a0Can you make sure they are on hand in case one of the panelists can’t be heard, or God forbid, you can’t be heard? Can you have it audio-taped, or video-taped?\u00a0 Can you distribute copies of the tape?<\/p>\n

Can you put a slide up with your name on it?\u00a0 Can it stay up there the whole time?<\/p>\n

How many important people can you invite or at least inform of your role in the meeting?\u00a0 Can you get complimentary tickets for those you invite?\u00a0 Free parking?<\/p>\n

Once you’ve answered all the above, you should craft some strong opening remarks.\u00a0 I recommend this outline:<\/p>\n

\n
1. Why this topic?<\/li>\n
2. Why this topic at this time?<\/li>\n
3. Why this topic at this time for this audience?<\/li>\n
4. Why this topic at this time for this audience by these panelists?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

   Only then, after four ringing\u00a0assertions,\u00a0should you introduce yourself.\u00a0 And once you’ve done that briefly and humbly, devote all your enthusiasm to the dignity and stature of your panelists.<\/p>\n

   Either they are already sitting on the stage, having come to their seats as you approached the lectern, or they wait for you\u00a0to introduce them before moving a muscle to step forward.<\/p>\n

   Don’t\u00a0allow them\u00a0to move\u00a0while you’re talking.\u00a0 Nobody will pay any attention to your brilliance,\u00a0but instead will goggle at the bodies moving into the limelight.\u00a0\u00a0 Panelists need rehearsal and firm stage directions.<\/p>\n

   Speaking of firm stage directions, your panelists should be instructed to prepare short opening remarks.\u00a0 Do not let them take this assignment lightly.\u00a0 The last thing you want is a boring, long winded,\u00a0meandering, unprepared talk from the panel–it\u00a0can drain the energy out of the discussion.\u00a0 If such drainage occurs, it falls upon you to put a stop to it, and that’s hard to do without hurting feelings.<\/p>\n

   If you’re a stickler, you may even ask the panelists to send you their opening remarks a week ahead of time, and help them do better.\u00a0 Certainly, gathering all their notes will help you steer them away from redundancy.<\/p>\n

   Familiarity with their remarks will help you prepare questions, and you can ask them if they have questions they would like to be asked.\u00a0\u00a0 You don’t have to oblige, but if the asking will make the meeting shine and illuminate the expertise of the panelist, why not?<\/p>\n

   Listen to your panelists talk, and interrupt them to ask questions.\u00a0 Get them to clarify, or expand on particularly interesting or controversial issues.\u00a0 Get them to stop talking if their response to a question is lengthy.\u00a0 Moderating panelists is like herding cats.\u00a0 You’ve got to be quick and alert.\u00a0 And you have a responsibility to the audience to keep the meeting on track and on time.<\/p>\n

   You would do well to recall that panelist number\u00a0one said something that contradicts what panelist number three is saying.\u00a0\u00a0 Interrupt number three, and point out the contradiction.\u00a0 Or interrupt and ask number one to comment in light of what three is saying.<\/p>\n

   The whole point of having a panel is to take the burden of energizing the room away from a sole presenter and shift it onto the shoulders of a lively group.\u00a0 Your job as the moderator is to keep them doggies rolling.\u00a0 A little friendly verbal jousting will serve your purposes well.<\/p>\n

   At the end, remind the audience of the beginning.\u00a0 “Why this topic, at this time,” etc., etc.\u00a0 Try to summarize, or better yet, synthesize the key themes in the discussion.\u00a0 Tell the audience where they can find more information.\u00a0\u00a0 Invite them to speak to panelists at the break.\u00a0 If you’re willing and able, offer to provide notes on the discussion.\u00a0 Thank your panelists and the sponsoring organization.<\/p>\n

   And then get the heck out of Dodge.<\/p>\n

   <\/div>\n

   <\/div>\n

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

   You’ve been invited to moderate a panel.\u00a0 The question is: How\u00a0can you do\u00a0it really well so that the meeting is rated highly, you look good, and your chances of being invited back are good? First, you should look at the job of moderator as a great chance to create a host of positive impressions.\u00a0 It’s… Read More »Facilitation Skills: Making the Most of Your Role as a Panel Moderator<\/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],"tags":[551,17,327,337,63,300],"yoast_head":"\n