Secrets to Successful Panel Discussions: A Guest Speaker’s Toolkit
At times, you may be asked to speak on a panel at a conference and wish you had some guidance. Having participated in, and led, numerous panel discussions over the years, I’ve learned some tips that any guest speaker can follow to improve their confidence and be sure to nail it every time.
But, here’s the thing with panels: They can be hard.
A great panel discussion can be derailed by one panelist, an unskilled moderator, or poor audience engagement, just to name a few challenges.
The setting of a panel discussion isn’t really conducive to engaging the crowd, so speakers really have to work at it, and the moderator has to be skilled. The chemistry between the other speakers on stage is also important, but often unknown until the day of the panel.
Panel discussions aren’t impossible to pull off, but they definitely aren’t easy.
Knowing that, here’s a bit of advice that may help your panel discussion be a rewarding experience for you and your audience:
- Know Your Audience: Understand who is in the audience and tailor your responses to their interests and level of understanding.
- Engage the Audience: Direct your responses to the audience more often than to the interviewer. Make eye contact with different members of the audience to keep them engaged.
- Maintain Good Posture: Don’t slouch. Sit up straight and on the edge of your chair to appear more engaged and confident.
- Treat Each Question Like a Mini Talk: Approach each question as if it were a short presentation. Start with a strong introduction, clearly state your main point, and conclude effectively.
- Personalize Your Responses: Use your interviewer’s name in your answers to create a more personal and conversational tone. For example, “Great question, Jason…”
- Smile: Panelists often forget to smile, which can make them seem unapproachable. A warm smile can make you appear more friendly and engaging.
- Prepare in Advance: Get the questions ahead of time and prepare your answers as mini talks (see tip #4).
- Have Extra Material Ready: Prepare additional content in case the discussion runs long or there are follow-up questions.
- Build on Others’ Comments: When appropriate, comment on and build upon what another panelist has said. For instance, “If I could add one comment to what Ken was saying…”
- Stay Engaged: Show that you are listening and interested when others are speaking. Nod in agreement, take notes, or respond with expressions.
- Bring Energy: Panels can often feel subdued. Bring energy to your responses and body language to keep the audience interested and engaged.
- Be Concise: Keep your answers concise and to the point to maintain the audience’s attention and allow more time for interaction.
- Use Stories and Examples: Incorporate relevant stories or examples to illustrate your points. This makes your answers more memorable and relatable.
- Practice Active Listening: Demonstrate active listening by summarizing or referring back to previous points made by other panelists or the interviewer.
- Dress Appropriately: Dress in a way that is professional and appropriate for the event, but also comfortable enough to allow you to move and express yourself naturally.
- Stay Calm and Composed: If you receive a challenging question, stay calm and take a moment to compose your thoughts before responding.
- Have a Takeaway Message: Ensure that your key points are clear and that the audience leaves with a strong takeaway message from your contributions.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of delivering a successful and engaging panel discussion. Remember, the key is preparation, engagement, and energy. Panels offer a unique opportunity to share your insights and connect with an audience in a dynamic setting. Have you had experiences speaking on panels? What strategies have worked for you? I’d love to hear your stories and tips!