What are your ideas about adding your own expertise to the conversation during a panel discussion at meetings, conferences, and conventions? Kristin Arnold, Professional Panel Moderator asked this question of Mark Sanborn, Leadership Keynote Speaker, panel moderator, and member of the US Speaker Hall of Fame.
Video Transcript
Kristin: Mark, do you ever find yourself having to add your own expertise to a panel discussion when you’re the moderator?
Mark: Well there are times where it is appropriate to add content. One is to provide a backstory or context for the audience you know may be somebody speaking from a pretty specific point of view and the audience won’t get as much value if they don’t understand what that point of view is. Another time that I think it’s worthwhile to consider adding content is when you state a premise or something that you’ve observed and then you ask the panelist do they agree? Do they disagree? Or to comment on it. Because again it doesn’t make you look like the only expert but it brings a variety of viewpoints to something that none of the panelists individually have brought up.
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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.
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