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During a recent interview with Extreme Meetings Founder Brian Walter about how to make a panel discussion “sticky,” we migrated into the role of the panelist to make the discussion “sticky.”
While panelists should come prepared with their top three talking points, along with a concise story, example, illustration, and/or memorable phrase, Walter stopped me in me in my tracks when he asked “Will any of the answers [to their prep work] make the audience gasp?”
Oh my! GASP! That is a powerful litmus test to whether the panelists are bringing their “A” game to the panel! Will anything the panelists prepare make the audience “gasp” with delight that they didn’t know it, surprise that it provided a new insight, or even astonishment that they had not expected or seen it before?

Shortly thereafter, I was sharing this “GASP” question with my colleague, Fredrik Haren, the Creativity Explorer. We started kicking around a way to use “GASP” as an acronym to help panelists think through their preparation. Here’s what we came up with:
G – Give New Insight. The first step to keeping an audience engaged is to offer something they haven’t heard before. Many panels start with the basics as if to get everyone on the same page, yet if the audience already knows the information being presented, they’ll tune out. Your role as the moderator is to encourage the panelists to dig deeper, uncover fresh perspectives, or share lesser-known facts. This ensures that the audience walks away having learned something new.
Actionable Tip: Before the event, research the audience’s knowledge level and interests, and ask the panelists to avoid repeating common information. Aim for insights that spark curiosity and provide value right away.
A – Awaken Curiosity. Great panel discussions make the audience want to lean in, eager to hear more. To do this, you must present the conversation in a way that piques their curiosity. While it is the moderator’s role to create a format that inspires an awesome discussion that engages and involves the audience, the moderator also needs to encourage the panelists to be conversational and allow for moments of spontaneity (planned and unplanned!).
Actionable Tip: Encourage the panelists to converse naturally and challenge each other’s views. Walters encourages panelists to “spill their secrets.” He says, “For example, when a panelist shares the “real deal” on X, the audience will think, ‘I can’t believe they said that!’ And when people are saying like they shared the real deal, they gasp and say, ‘I can’t believe that they actually told us that!’
S – Surprise the Audience. A great panel shouldn’t just inform—it should surprise. The conversation should shift the way the audience thinks about a subject. You want the audience to gasp and say, “Oh my gosh, I did not know that!” By delivering unexpected insights or reframing the topic in a new light, you help shift the audience’s frame of reference.
Actionable Tip: Ask panelists to share personal stories or unique experiences related to the topic that the audience wouldn’t find on Google or in typical sources of information. These surprising revelations create memorable “aha” moments.
P – Pop with Energy. To hold the audience’s attention, the format should be infused with a few “pop” elements. I suggest doing something every 6 to 10 minutes that makes the audience lean in. This could be through a thought-provoking question, a shift in energy or direction, or by directly involving the audience.
Actionable Tip: Mix up the format of the conversation. Instead of a static Q&A, integrate interactive elements like live polling, or ask the audience to react physically (e.g., raise their hand or stand if they agree with a point). This energy keeps the audience on their toes and avoids a monotonous session.(Note: Check out the book: 123 Ways to Add Pizazz to a Panel Discussion for more ideas!)
Haren summarizes, “When you challenge your panelists to use the “GASP” litmus test, you’ll have an awesome conversation that that is valuable to the audience.”
A big thank you to Brian Walter and Fredrik Haren for helping me shape the GASP Litmus Test!

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For more information about how to moderate a lively & informative panel discussion, check out our free 7-part video series on how to moderate a panel and other resources to help you organize, moderate, or be a panel member.