Professional panel moderator Kristin Arnold asks Becky Pike Pluth, Train-the-Trainer expert and President/CEO of the Bob Pike Group, to share how she likes to intervene when a panelist is using up too much time during a panel discussion at meetings, conferences, and conventions.
Video Transcript
Kristin: Becky, when moderating a panel discussion, how do you intervene when a panelist is taking up too much time?
Becky: So what you could you during a session, where that person is still talking even though you’ve prepared them and you set it all up, what I do is, as soon as they take a breath, it doesn’t matter that they’re taking a breath because they want to continue talking, I interject and say, “That is an amazing…”
Even though they’re going to start talking right away, “That is an amazing thought and idea. I want to add to that.” So, now the moderator becomes a panelist, and then they’re able to redirect it back to the other panel members. When you start to see this behavior from one particular panel member, you’re literally going to have to interject in the middle of their thoughts and ideas after a little bit of time has passed because they’re not going to stop themselves. So, you’re gonna have to get in the habit of literally looking for that breath, and interjecting, and then redirecting it to the other two panelists.
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Kristin Arnold, professional panel moderator, and high stakes meeting facilitator is on a crusade to make all panel discussions informative, interactive, and interesting. Specifically, she wants to help YOU become a better panel moderator. Why? Because 95% of annual meetings have panel discussions – and according to the 2014 Panel Report, it’s a fifty-fifty proposition they are any good at all! Expectations decrease dramatically when your attendees walk in and see the traditional draped head-table with microphones on short stands. There are sooooo many other ways to have a stimulating conversation! So let’s increase the probability of success for your next panel discussion with these resources.
And, you can always go back to the playlist for more Powerful Panel Discussion Tips!
