How do you persuade a panelist with a rather reserved personality to jump in and contribute to the conversation during a panel discussion at a meeting, conference, or convention? Professional panel moderator, Kristin Arnold asked this question of Kate Delaney, Emmy Award-winning journalist, and America’s #1 female sports commentator and talk show host.
Video Transcript
Kristin: Kate, how do you persuade a panelist with a rather reserved personality to jump in and contribute to the conversation?
Kate: If anybody’s doing panels and you have that access where you can write somebody a note and you can emphasize that, don’t be afraid to jump in. You have a point to make, somebody says something and you don’t agree or you want to add to it, just go for it. Now you have to have a good moderator because they have to back out of that and not jump in with…and I know there are great moderators probably listening. And you all know that it’s the timing of jumping in which is tough. Sometimes when we think that now we’re moving in this direction, but if you just kind of organically let it flow and take that pause then it’s good.
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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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