How Panel Moderators Can Ace the Art of Follow-up Questions
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As a panel moderator, there is a distinct art to asking follow-up questions during a panel discussion – those questions you ask to probe further into a specific aspect of the conversation. The key is to listen intently to what each panelist is saying, and where appropriate, decide how to dig deeper into the topic:
- Advance the Conversation:
- Play Back a Key Word or Phrase: If a panelist says, “I found the results to be quite disturbing” you can follow up by saying, “What was so disturbing?”
- Advance the Plot: When a panelist tells part of a story, encourage them to continue. For example, if a panelist shares a story about the struggle they faced in executing their strategy, you could ask them to continue: “Once you started to see some traction, what happened next?”
- Reflect It. Let’s say one of the panelists has a strong opinion. Ask another panelist if he or she shares that same opinion. If not, then ask the panelist to share a differing viewpoint.
- Share Information. If you, as a panel moderator, have some information to advance the conversation, share it quickly and concisely combined with a specific question directed to one of the panelists.
- Focus the Conversation:
- Clarify the Point. When a panelist is too vague, ask for further information to clarify or expand the point. Clarifying questions typically start with a “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” or a “why.”
- Pull Out of the Weeds: If a panelist is being too specific, ask them to share the larger significance of their point or how it connects to the big picture.
- Pull Out of the Clouds: If a panelist is being too abstract, push them for specifics. Ask for examples, case studies, or anecdotes that illustrate the larger point.
- Check for Understanding. Perhaps the panelist is a bit obtuse and you are not sure the audience understands the point. Paraphrase the panelist’s comment and ask, “Let me see if I’ve got this right….”
- Synthesize the Conversation:
- Test the Unsaid. Sometimes, the real issue has not been spoken. If you sense there is something that hasn’t been said, test it out: “If we do this, are you concerned about…?“ Or “I am wondering if you might be concerned about….”
- Test for Agreement. Check for the apparent agreement (or disagreement) with others by asking, “How do you feel about what Mike said?” or “How many of you agree with this?”
- Connect the Dots. Take pieces of information shared by the panelists and tie them together: “Sally, you mentioned x, and Rashid said y, does that mean we have z?”
Thanks to Brad Phillips for sparking and sharing some of these ideas on how to ask a follow-up question during a panel discussion. What are your best practices to dig a little deeper?
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For more information about how to moderate a lively & informative panel discussion, check out our free 7-part video series or our other resources to help you organize, moderate, or be a panel member.
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